Wildlife Conservation Memo and Fact Sheet
MEMORANDUM
TO: Whom It May Concern
FROM: Bryn Shamey
DATE: April 20, 2008
SUBJECT: Wildlife Conservation
THE PROBLEM
There are over 7,200 endangered animal species around the world. With the loss of these species, there comes the risk of irreversible damage to the ecosystem. These species provide a healthy world for humans, and all species, to live in by providing food, water, and rich land. Once these creatures become extinct, they will change the current state of the ecosystem forever and the world will feel these great effects. These endangered species could create a lack of biodiversity[1], which would greatly harm the balance of the Earth, as we know it.
THE CAUSES
Wildlife species are becoming endangered at a record rate due to five main causes:
1. The destruction of the animals’ habitats is of utmost concern. The clearing of trees to make way for human expansion is a crucial issue. Humans feel they need more and more space everyday and the environment simply can’t keep up with these rapid rates of change. Many species are being forced out of their homes to make way for farmlands and grazing animals to keep up with the excess human demand.
2. The introduction of foreign species into an environment that will compete for resources or become a threat to the native animals. The animals that are native to the land have no defenses against the new species and may often be preyed upon.
3. Illegal poaching and trapping of animals is still a huge concern today. Men frequently hunt animals for sport or fur when the animals are under protection. Wildlife is also frequently caught in a trap meant for the hunting of thriving species. These traps, however, should not be put in a protected environment. Boundaries are not strictly enforced[2].
4. Pollution and global warming is another issue that is very important to consider. The killing of natural resources causes a definite struggle in these animals because their food and home then becomes affected.
5. Disease from humans is another main cause to the endangerment of species. Humans are coming into the animals’ natural habitat and spreading diseases they have no defenses against[3].
AUDIENCE/STAKEHOLDERS
There are three main stakeholders that the endangered species’ greatly affect. The first group is those people who thrive economically from ecotourism, mainly in Africa and South America. Many of the tourists who visit these environmentally pleasing areas are expecting to see the wonders the area has to offer. Without these rare and exotic creatures, the natural attraction would be lost. The second main group who would be greatly affected by the loss of these animals is scientists. So much of the research done today for the aid of humans is based on plant and animal species. It is also because of the balance of these species that allow the ecosystem to survive. With the loss of these animals, the balance of the ecosystem would be in jeopardy and scientists would soon lose more plant and animal life[4]. The third main group is those who are concerned about the environment and saving the planet in the long run. The idea of losing such treasures to the animal kingdom would be seen as an enormous loss. Can one even imagine the loss of over 7,000 species?
The audience of this would really focus on the everyday person in any country. They would be targeted in order to educate them on the problems that are facing the world today, particularly focusing on the current endangered species list and the education about biodiversity and conservation efforts. The most endangered species need to be known. If one starts with the species most at risk, more could be saved. As humans take over the habitat and poach animals illegally, it must be known that this is not just the loss of a few species, but a step towards the loss of a planet. When a person is more educated, they will know why they need to focus on helping these species.
SOLUTIONS
There are recovery plans currently in place for many creatures and conservation efforts are becoming a little better known[5]. There are also global efforts where many countries collaborate together in order to help the endangered species. The main threat, however, is that the majority of American citizens, the most powerful and influential, don’t know the risk at hand. Most couldn’t even name some of the most endangered species on the planet. In order to help the wildlife conservation effort, the citizens of the world need to be educated on the risk of species extinction. The world also needs to get a more unified system in place to ensure that the current efforts in place are adequately working and are not being violated. The solution starts with knowledge by the public.
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FACT SHEET
· What is the difference between an endangered and a threatened species?
An endangered species is any species that is at risk of becoming extinct through the majority of its range while a threatened species is any species likely to become an endangered species in the near future[6].
· What is a recovery plan?
Recovery plans are put in place in order to try and reverse the decline of
threatened and endangered species. The plans would then, hopefully, bring the population up to a place where they could be taken off of the list. The plans typically include a description of the species’ current threat and an objective to recover the species from endangerment.
· What is the Endangered Species Act?
The Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress in 1966 with the
goal of establishing a process for listing species that need protection and were facing extinction[7]. The Act itself has been revised often and the addition of species is still a hot issue today. The United States is currently in a battle of whether or not to add polar bears to this list. It is still an important Act implemented in the government with additions and revisions being considered daily.
· Why is extinction such a big issue?
While extinction is a natural process that would occur in an even perfect
ecosystem, it is the rate of the extinction that is of great concern. Most species can no longer adapt to the rapid change that humans have caused in the world[8].
· What is conservation biology?
Conservation biology is a biological science to study the problems of the
destruction of a species’ habitat and the protection of that species. These scientists hope to understand biodiversity and come up with ways to make wildlife conservation work.
· How many species are currently endangered?
There are currently over 8,300 plant species and 7,200 animal species
considered to be threatened. This is a massive amount that simply keeps growing. Many creatures, however, become extinct before scientists can even identify them.
· Is the extinction/endangerment of species a new finding?
The extinction of animals has knowingly been happening since the 1600s
when many animals were considered endangered because of hunting. Whales were a primary concern because of the amount of resources one could obtain from them. There are many animal and plant species that we don’t even know existed today due to their premature departure from the world.
· What are the ten most endangered species in the world today?
The ten most endangered species are:
1. Mountain Gorilla
2. Javan Rhinoceros
3. Komodo Dragon
4. Koala Bear
5. Giant Panda
6. Kagu
7. Snow Leopard
8. Siberian Tiger
9. African Wild Dog
10. California Condor[9]
[1] “Endangered Species.” Encarta MSN. 2007. 6 Feb. 2008 <http://encarta.msn.com/text_761557586__0/Endangered_Species.html>. [2] “Utah Education Network.” 2007. 6 Feb. 2008 <http://www.uen.org>. [3] “Top 10 Endangered Animals.” 2007. 6 Feb. 2008 <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/212661/top_10_engangered_animals.html>.
[4] “The Human Footprint.” Wildlife Conservation Society. 2008. 6 Feb. 2008 < http://www.wcs.org/humanfootprint>.
[5] Kurpis, Lauren. “Facts About Endangered Species.” 2002. 6 Feb. 2008 <http://www.endangeredspecie.com/Interesting_Facts.htm>.
[6] Kurpis, Lauren. “Facts About Endangered Species.” 2002. 6 Feb. 2008 <http://www.endangeredspecie.com/Interesting_Facts.htm>.
[7] “History of Species Protection.” The Endangered Species Act. 2008. 6 Feb. 2008 <http://www.libraryindex.com/pages/3028/Endangered-Species-Act>.
[8]“Endangered Species.” Encarta MSN. 2007. 6 Feb. 2008 <http://encarta.msn.com/text_761557586__0/Endangered_Species.html>.
[9] “Top 10 Endangered Animals.” 2007. 6 Feb. 2008 <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/212661/top_10_engangered_animals.html>.
