Currently, we find ourselves situated in craziness and unexpected moments. The Covid-19 pandemic has shocked the world and our lives. It has impacted all of us in many different ways. It’s understandable that our focus is on getting through the pandemic and going back to a life that is ‘normal’. However, before the pandemic crashed into our lives, there were already huge global issues happening in our world that weren’t acknowledged or spoken about enough. One of the biggest issues is animals on the brink of extinction.
Although I will only mention a few of the most critically endangered species stated on the WWF website, it’s key to note that there are so many animals in the world that face daily issues caused by human destruction.
Amur Leopards
Amur Leopards are amongst the most critically endangered species on the planet with a population of just over 84 left.
Like much of our planet’s wildlife, these animals fall victim to the illegal wildlife trade. Their beautiful and unique fur makes them targets for poachers looking for easy money. With their homes being shrunk by the minute and more humans encroaching on their habitat, these leopards have become vulnerable to human attack, making them easier to find and kill.
While the numbers of Amur Leopards shrink, so does their prey that is continuously hunted with them. With animals such as deers and hares becoming scarce in habited areas, it becomes more difficult for the species to thrive and survive.
With much of the Amur Leopards habitat situated in Russia, WWF has worked on establishing safe and protected areas, one of which is called Land of the Leopard National Park, stretching over 65,000 acres. Continuous efforts to save the species involve tough anti-poaching work and having programs in place to prevent anymore leopards falling victim to the ever-strengthening illegal wildlife trade.
Black Rhinos
Although the number of Black Rhinos has increased to a population of 5,600, this species of rhino has become critically endangered due to the amount of human demolition. Compared to the African Rhinos, Black Rhinos have two horns increasing the poaching threat put amongst their kind.
A contributor to the steady extinction of animals is making room for agriculture by destroying habitats. As an animal’s home becomes smaller and smaller and they are forced onto smaller areas of land, they become even more vulnerable.
As the Black Rhino has two horns, they face a bigger threat to their horn being sold in the illegal wildlife trade where demand is popular in Asia especially for remedies and medicines. Poaching is the biggest threat facing these animals, with people willing to pay hefty amounts of money to have one of their own. With poaching still going on, it becomes difficult to establish conversation efforts that will help these creatures to survive the dangers of the human world. Remember, behind a rhino horn is a dead rhino.
Organisations like WWF work to establish strong and influential rangers that can stop and prevent poachers from killing a rhino in Namibia, Kenya, and South Africa. Growing efforts with technology also contribute to the conservation.
Bornean Orangutan
Orangutans are critically endangered as their population have shrunk by more then 50% over the last sixty years: this is a scary statistic.
The Bornean Orangutan differs to a Sumatran Orangutan because of its wider face and it’s darker orange colour. They live in the northwest, northeast, and centre of Borneo.
Unfortunately, orangutans face multiple serious threats. They are losing their homes in the trees due to logging that is turning the land into agriculture. This not only poses a threat to their habitat but because it is quickly shrinking along with food sources, orangutans end up on oil palm plantations which results in them being shot. This demonstrates the reality of palm oil, a product used in a lot of our favourite things.
Young orangutans have sadly been very popular in the illegal wildlife trade, with people selling them for up to $200. This highlights a struggle in establishing and growing populations.
WWF works to ensure there are protected areas. They try to enforce laws on wildlife crimes and the capture and trade of young orangutans. Along with law enforcement, they work to establish rangers who will work to make sure this species is safe and are able to thrive in their natural habitat.
They work to make sure communities, plantation owners, and the indigenous people have management in place that does not affect orangutans and their home.
When visiting these animals, it’s important to support organisations that are actively trying to rehabilitate and hep these species survive.
FUN FACT: Did you know that the name orangutan actually means ‘man of the forest’?
The Cross River Gorilla
This species of gorilla has becoming critically endangered. There is only a population of 200 to 300 left. They differ to western gorillas because of their differences in the shape of their skulls and teeth.
They face threats such as deforestation and as their habitat shrinks, poaching opportunities open. With hunting illegal in Nigeria and Cameroon, there isn’t much enforcement of laws.
There is conservation work that aims to protect their habitat by establishing protected areas and enforce anti- poaching laws. It is important that sustainable forestry doesn’t impact the gorillas.
Sumatran Elephant
They are classed as critically endangered with only 2,400 to 2,600 left in the wild. They share their home with other endangered species such as rhinos, tigers, and orangutans.
Although these elephants have smaller tusks, that doesn’t stop poachers from trying to kill and sell them in the illegal ivory trade. As males are the only ones with tusks, the continuous slaughter will affect how the population grows.
Oil palm plantations and paper industries have contributed to the decline of this species. Their population has decreased by 80% in 25 years as habitat loss increases. With their homes shrinking by the minute, elephants wander into human populated land, raiding crops, destroying homes, and sometimes killing people. These elephants are then poisoned and killed.
As I write that, it’s very easy for me to think that it’s harsh punishment and shouldn’t be allowed. But we don’t live amongst these animals and we certainly don’t face the catastrophic issues that come with it, such as relying on crops to feed our families.
That is why WWF works with communities to establish unharmful methods to keep the elephants away from villages, such as employing more rangers and having noise on stand by to draw them away. Coming up with solutions to not only help the elephants but also the people who live there too is an effective method to decrease conflict and help both flourish.
They also help coordinate patrol units and educate people on the laws surrounding poaching and how they can be prosecuted.
The power of change
We’ve done a lot to this planet, there’s no denying it. However, it can be reversible if we give nature a chance to survive what has become a human-dominated world.
Education is a powerful tool if we choose to educate people on global issues such as this. We can tell people about what is going on, making it a spoken reality rather than as hidden one. We can sign petitions, change our lifestyles, and visit and support efforts that want to make a positive change.
The worse you can do is to not listen and take action.
Robyn Lawrence
Featured image courtesy of Danny Wage via Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
Robyn Lawrence
Currently studying BA Journalism and Media at the University of Leeds. Love writing about nature, all things lifestyle and discussing important topics!