Our precious environment | Why animal become extinct?| Why are Elephant hunted? | Why did animal become extinct?

Our precious environment | Why animal become extinct?| Why are Elephant hunted? | Why did animal become extinct?

Why do animals become extinct?

Since the time animals have evolved species continue to become extinct. The most well-known example of extinct  species is that of dinosaurs. Often the species cannot adjust fast enough to the changing environmental condition, or new species arise and displace the existing ones.

Today many species are becoming  extinct because of the actions of humans. Elephant, big cats, and rhinos are hunted ruthlessly, forest areas are cleared, and the gray whale are endangered. These are only a few of the species mentioned in the 'Red list'. On a positive note, new animal species are also being discovered.

Why are elephants hunted?

Elephants are hunted for their tusks. These are made of ivory and were used to make jewellery sold at high prices. They have to be protected from poachers in wildlife park.

Other animals are also hunted for their body parts. The Asian black bear is hunted for its gall bladder, rhinos for their hotns, seals and big cats for their skin. A few wild spcies of crocidiles are killed because their skin is used for making bags and shoes. Hunting is also done for the thrill of the chase and a greed for the trophy, such as a bear or tiger skin.

What is threatening the grey whales?

The grey whale lived around 300 years ago in the atlantic and pacific oceans. The giant animal were hunted extensively for their meat and old. They become Extinct in the atlantic by the end of the 17th century, but can still be found in the pacific ocean. Around 20,000 animal migrate every year in october from Alaska in the north to the coast of mexico, Where they give birth to the young one in winter.

In west pacific, there are at most 200 gray whales at present and they are listed as critically endangered. These animal are sensitive to noise and are being displaced for their habitat because of the construction of drilling rigs for the crude oil industry.

What is the 'Red list'?

The list of endangered species is known as 'Red list'. It lists all those plant and animal species that are facing the threat of extintion worldwide. The list is revised every two years. For the year 2006, the list contained around 16,000 species of plants and animals; 530 species more than the list for 2004. One-fourth of all the mammals are present in the list.

All species of elephants, rhinos, gorillas, chimpanzees, most species of whales, and half of all vertebrates living in freshwater are also part of the Red list.

Why did dinosaurs become extinct?

Dinosaurs existed on Earth 65 million years ago. Today, the scientists belive that their mass extinction was triggered by a hugh mateorite hit to the east of Mexico. The meteorite impact caused blasts and flood Waves. Huge quantities of poisonous gases filled the Earth's atmosphere.

Then there was acid rain that polluted the seas and the plants died. Huge dust cloud blocked the heat from the sun and it become cold. The cold-blooded dinosaurs become sluggish and starved. Young ones did not hatch from their eggs. Only the small animals, Which adapted themselves quickly and did not need a lot of food, survived.