They need our help..

Ways to help the endangered  One of the most important ways to help threatened plants  and animals survive is to protect their habitats permanently in national parks, nature reserves or wilderness areas. There they can live without too much interference from humans. It is also important to protect habitats outside reserves such as on farms and along roadsides.  You can visit a nearby national park or nature reserve. Some national parks have special guided tours and walks for kids. Talk to the rangers to find out whether there are any threatened species and how they are being protected. You and your friends might be able to help the rangers in their conservation work.  When you visit a national park, make sure you obey the wildlife code: follow fire regulations; leave your pets at home; leave flowers, birds’ eggs, logs and bush rocks where you find them; put your rubbish in a bin or, better still, take it home.  If you have friends who live on farms, encourage them to keep patches of bush as wildlife habitats and to leave old trees standing, especially those with hollows suitable for nesting animals.    Some areas have groups which look after local lands and nature reserves. They do this    by removing weeds and planting local native species in their place. You could join one of these groups, or even start a new one with your parents and friends. Ask your local parks authority or council for information.  By removing rubbish and weeds and replanting with natives you will allow the native     bush to gradually regenerate. This will also encourage native animals to return.

Why to save the endangered ?

“Diversity of life and living systems are a necessary condition for human development” 

Since life began on this planet, countless species have come and gone, rendered extinct by naturally changing physical and biological conditions. Since extinction is part of the natural order, and if many other species remain, some people ask: “Why save endangered species? What makes these animals and plants so special that money and effort should be spent to preserve and recover them?” While extinction does occur naturally, unfortunately the accelerating decline of our wild animals and plants is less and less a result of natural events. Most dangers to wildlife are from habitat loss and degradation, environmental pollution, the introduction of exotic (non-native) organisms, and over exploitation; all generally a direct result of human activities.

Many question the importance of maintaining biodiversity in today’s world, where conservation efforts prove costly and time consuming. Species should be saved for “aesthetic and moral justifications; the importance of wild species as providers of products and services essential to human welfare; the value of particular species as indicators of environmental health or as keystone species crucial to the functioning of ecosystems; and the scientific breakthroughs that have come from the study of wild organisms”.In other words, species serve as a source of art and entertainment, provide products such as medicine for human well-being, indicate the welfare of the overall environment and ecosystem, and provided research that resulted in scientific discoveries.
NEED OF SAVING THE ENDANGERED SPECIES

Conserve biodiversity

Influences and supports the survival of other species
Offers opportunities to protect whole landscapes or marine areas

The chemical secrets of most species have yet to be unraveled for potential benefits to mankind.

A planet with high biological diversity is a planet worth living on.

Save them...or else..

Facts About Endangered Ones..

According to scientists, more than one and one-half million species exist on the earth today. However, recent estimates state that at least 20 times that many species inhabit the planet.  In the United States, 735 species of plants and 496 species of animals are listed as threatened or endangered.  266 of these listed species have recovery plans currently under development.  There are more than 1,000 animal species endangered worldwide.  There are more than 3,500 protected areas in existence worldwide. These areas include parks, wildlife refuges and other reserves. They cover a total of nearly 2 million square miles (5 million square km), or 3% of our total land area.  Aquatic species, which are often overlooked, are facing serious trouble. One third of the United States’ fish species, two-thirds of its crayfish species, and almost three-quarters of its mussel species are in trouble.

Threats to birds..amazing facts!!

• One of the major threats faced by birds is from the loss as well as deterioration of their habitat. Trees are being felled at a rapid pace to make way for human settlements as well as agricultural activities. Even aquatic habitats are being drained, plowed, filled in, and channelized. Last but not the least, the introduction of invasive plant and animal species is also altering the natural habitat of birds.
• Birds are also facing increased competition from one another. Especially the native species of birds are finding it difficult to cope up with the exotic species.
• The direct exploitation of birds by humans is reaching alarming proportions. Human activities, such as hunting and capturing birds, are leading to a rapid decline in the bird population.
• Birds are highly sensitive to chemicals and toxins and can become fatally sick from inhaling them, either by eating or through their skin. It has been found out that, along with DDT, pesticides and oil spills, even herbicide spraying on lawns leads to death of the birds.
• Even indirect pollution of the atmosphere is having an effect on the population of birds. Things like acid rain have been discovered to affect the population of forest birds. It washes away the calcium of the soil and decreases the amount of calcium-rich prey of the birds, affecting their diet and thus, their population.
• The nesting, feeding, and roosting areas of birds have faced a lot of disturbance from the human beings, affecting their population.

Birds too in danger!!

Endangered birds in india

• Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa)
• Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus)
• Sarus Crane (Grus antigone)
• Jerdon's Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus)
• Forest Owlet (Athene blewitti)
• White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis)
• Oriental Stork (Ciconia boyciana)
• Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius)
• White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)
• White-winged Duck (Cairina scutulata)
• Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)
• Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis)
• Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indica)
• Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer)
• Rufous-breasted Laughingthr (Garrulax cachinnans)
• Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
• White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
• Long-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus)

Protect them..or they will be no more...

 10. Hawaiian Monk Seal
9. Chinese Giant Salamander
8. Siberian (or Amur) Tiger
7. Leatherback Sea Turtle
6. Mountain Gorilla
5. Northern Right Whale
4. Greater Bamboo Lemur
3. Javan Rhinoceros
2. Amur Leopard
1. Ivory-Billed Woodpecker