endangered species for deb

8/8/2019 Endangered Species for Deb

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ENDANGERED SPECIES

INTRODUCTIONDEFINITION-

An endangered species is a native species that faces a significant risk of extinction in the near future

throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Such species may be declining in number due to threats

such as habitat destruction, climate change, or pressure from invasive species.

The term endangered species can be used either in general or legal context. When used in a general sense,

the term describes a species that faces a risk of extinction but does not necessarily indicate that the speciesis protected under any law. When used in a legal context, the term refers specifically to a species that is

listed on the US Endangered Species List and is defined legally as an animal or plant species in danger ofextinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Under the Endangered Species Act, an endangered species is "any species which is in danger of extinctionthroughout all or a significant portion of its range other than a species of the Class Insecta determined bythe Secretary to constitute a pest whose protection under the provisions of this Act would present an

overwhelming and overriding risk to man." Endangered species currently listed under the ESA include

only plants and animals, although fungi and single-celled organisms are not explicitly excluded under theESA.

In lay terms, an endangered species is any species which is in danger of extinction, even "pests," fungi,and single-celled organisms.

Also Known As: "Listed species" includes both endangered and threatened species listed under the

Endangered Species Act.

Examples:

Right whales, Florida panthers and California condors are examples of endangered species.

The US Endangered Species Act (ESA) is Federal legislation that aims to conserve theecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species depend. The ESA was signed into

law by President Nixon in December, 1973. The ESA protects plant and animal species and isjointly administered by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries. Its aim is twofold:

to provide protection for species that are in danger of extinction and to conserve the habitats onwhich those species depend.

If you're interested in reading the text of the ESA, you candownload a PDF version of the USEndangered Species Act from the US Fish & Wildlife Service website. Some significant sections

of the act include:y Section 4 - Listing of species, designation of critical habitat.


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y Section 6 - Providing of financial support to States to support conservation of endangeredspecies.

y Section 7 - Requires all Federal agencies to ensure they do not further endanger any listedspecies or critical habitat.

y Section 8 - Outlines international coordination of conservation efforts.y

S

ection 9 - Defines prohibited actions.y Section10 - Sets out guidelines for permits to circumvent prohibited activities.

Endangered Species IN INDIAAccording to official records, there are more than 130000 animal species in India. According to some, the numbermay actually be much more than this. There has been a threat to this natural treasure with the increasing destructionof their habitat like the tropical forests and biosphere reserves. There are a number of causes which lead to theendangerment of a particular species such as habitat destruction, paucity of prey, overexploitation etc. The animalpopulation has been declining by every passing minute and we are likely to face grave consequences until we do notreact fast. Moreover, the plants and animals hold immense medicinal, agricultural, ecological and commercial value.

An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinctbecause it

is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has calculated the percentage of

endangered species as 40 percent of all organisms based on the sample of species that have been

evaluated through 2006

Many nations have laws offering protection to conservation reliant species: for example,

forbidding hunting, restricting land development or creating preserves.

Only a few of the many species at risk of extinction actually make it to the lists and obtain

legal protection. Many more species become extinct, or potentially will become extinct, withoutgaining public notice


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BODY

IUCN Red List Endangered species

IUCN Red List refers to a specific category ofthreatened species, and may include critically endangered

species. IUCN Red List of Threatened Speciesuses the term endangered speciesas a specific category

of imperilment, rather than as a general term. Under the IUCN Categories and Criteria, endangered

species is between critically endangeredand vulnerable. Also critically endangeredspecies may also becounted as endangered speciesand fill all the criteria

The more general term used by the IUCN for species at risk of extinction is threatened species, which

also includes the less-at-risk category ofvulnerable species together with endangered and critically

endangered. IUCN categories include:

Extinct:

the last remaining member of the species has died, or is presumed beyond reasonable doubt to have

died. Examples: Javan Tiger, Thylacine, Dodo, Passenger Pigeon,Caribbean Monk

Seal, Dimetrodon,Aurochs, Dusky Seaside Sparrow

Extinct in the wild: captive individuals survive, but there is no free-living, natural population.

Examples:Alagoas Curassow

Critically endangered: faces an extremely high risk ofextinction in the immediate future.

Examples: Mountain Gorilla,Arakan Forest Turtle, Darwin's Fox, Javan Rhino,Brazilian

Merganser, Gharial, Vaquita

Endangered: faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future. Examples:Dhole, Blue

Whale, Bonobo, Ethiopian wolf, Giant Panda, Snow Leopard,African Wild Dog, Tiger, Indian

Rhinoceros, three species ofAlbatrosses, Crowned Solitary Eagle, Philippine

Eagle, Markhor, Orangutan, Grevy's zebra, Tasmanian Devil,

Vulnerable: faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term. Examples:Cheetah, Gaur, Lion, Sloth

Bear, Manatee, Polar Bear,African Golden Cat,Komodo dragon, Golden hamster


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Conservation dependent: The following animals are not severely threatened, but must depend on

conservation programs. Examples: Spotted Hyena,Blanford's fox, Leopard Shark, Black

Caiman, Killer whale

Near threatened: may be considered threatened in the near future. Examples: Blue-billed

Duck, Solitary Eagle, Small-clawed Otter,Maned Wolf, Tiger Shark, Okapi

Least concern: no immediate threat to the survival of the species. Examples: Nootka Cypress, WoodPigeon, White-tailed Mongoose,House Mouse, Wolverine

[3]

Causes of Endangerment

When discussing the causes of endangerment, it is important to understand that

individual species are not the only factors involved in this dilemma. Endangerment isa broad issue, one that involves the habitats and environments where species live and

interact with one another. Although some measures are being taken to help specific

cases of endangerment, the universal problem cannot be solved until humans protect

the natural environments where endangered species dwell.

There are many reasons why a particular species may become endangered. Although

these factors can be analyzed and grouped, there are many causes that appear

repeatedly. Below are several factors leading to endangerment:

Habitat Destruction

Our planet is continually changing, causing habitats to be altered and modified.Natural changes tend to occur at a gradual pace, usually causing only a slight impact

on individual species. However, when changes occur at a fast pace, there is little or no

time for individual species to react and adjust to new circumstances. This can createdisastrous results, and for this reason, rapid habitat loss is the primary cause of species

endangerment. The strongest forces in rapid habitat loss are human beings. Nearly

every region of the earth has been affected by human activity, particularly during thispast century. The loss of microbes in soils that formerly supported tropical forests, the

extinction of fish and various aquatic species in polluted habitats, and changes in

global climate brought about by the release of greenhouse gases are all results of

human activity.


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It can be difficult for an individual to recognize the effects that humans have had on

specific species. It is hard to identify or predict human effects on individual speciesand habitats, especially during a human lifetime. But it is quite apparent that human

activity has greatly contributed to species endangerment. For example, although

tropical forests may look as though they are lush, they are actually highly susceptible

to destruction. This is because the soils in which they grow are lacking in nutrients. Itmay take Centuries to re-grow a forest that was cut down by humans or destroyed by

fire, and many of the world's severely threatened animals and plants live in theseforests. If the current rate of forest loss continues, huge quantities of plant and animal

species will disappear.

Introduction of Exotic Species

Native species are those plants and animals that are part of a specific geographic area,

and have ordinarily been a part of that particular biological landscape for a lengthy

period of time. They are well adapted to their local environment and are accustomedto the presence of other native species within the same general habitat. Exotic species,

however, are interlopers. These species are introduced into new environments by wayof human activities, either intentionally or accidentally. These interlopers are viewed

by the native species as foreign elements. They may cause no obvious problems and

may eventual be considered as natural as any native species in the habitat. However,exotic species may also seriously disrupt delicate ecological balances and may

produce a plethora of unintended yet harmful consequences.

The worst of these unintended yet harmful consequences arise when introduced exotic

species put native species in jeopardy by preying on them. This can alter the naturalhabitat and can cause a greater competition for food. Species have been biologically

introduced to environments all over the world, and the most destructive effects have

occurred on islands. Introduced insects, rats, pigs, cats, and other foreign species have

actually caused the endangerment and extinction of hundreds of species during the

past five centuries. Exotic species are certainly a factor leading to endangerment.

Overexploitation

A species that faces overexploitation is one that may become severely endangered or

even extinct due to the rate in which the species is being used. Unrestricted whalingduring the 20th century is an example of overexploitation, and the whaling industry

brought many species of whales to extremely low population sizes. When several

whale species were nearly extinct, a number of nations (including the United States)agreed to abide by an international moratorium on whaling. Due to this moratorium,

some whale species, such as the grey whale, have made remarkable comebacks, while

others remain threatened or endangered.


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Due to the trade in animal parts, many species continue to suffer high rates of

exploitation. Even today, there are demands for items such as rhino horns and tigerbones in several areas of Asia. It is here that there exists a strong market for

traditional medicines made from these animal parts.

More Factors

Disease, pollution, and limited distribution are more factors that threaten various plant

and animal species. If a species does not have the natural genetic protection against

particular pathogens, an introduced disease can have severe effects on that specie. For

example, rabies and canine distemper viruses are presently destroying carnivore

populations in East Africa. Domestic animals often transmit the diseases that affectwild populations, demonstrating again how human activities lie at the root of most

causes of endangerment. Pollution has seriously affected multiple terrestrial and

aquatic species, and limited distributions are frequently a consequence of other

threats; populations confined to few small areas due to of habitat loss, for example,may be disastrously affected by random factors.


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SOME ENDANGERED SPECIES

Critically Endangered

Jenkin's Shrew (Crocidura jenkensii). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Ganges Shark(Glyphis gangeticus)(Endemic to India.)

Himalayan Wolf(Canis himalayensis) (Endemic to India and Nepal.)

Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus)

Malabar Large-spotted Civet (Viverra civettina).[1]

Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamayopterus biswasi). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius).[1]

Salim Ali's Fruit Bat (Latidens salimalii). (Endemic to India.)

Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis).[1]

Wroughton's Free-tailed Bat (Otomops wroughtoni). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Jerdon's Courser(Rhinoptilus bitorquatus). (Endemic to India)[1]

[edit]Endangered

Andaman Shrew (Crocidura andamanensis). (Endemic to India)

Andaman Spiny Shrew (Crocidura hispida). (Endemic to India)

Asian Arowana (Scleropages formosus).[1]

Asiatic Black Bear(Selenarctos thibetanus)

Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica)[2]

Asiatic Wild Dog/ Dhole (Cuon alpinus)

Banteng (Bos javanicus)

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus)

Capped Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus pileatus)

Chiru (Tibetan Antelope) (Pantholops hodgsonii)

Desert Cat (Felis libyca ornata)

Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica)


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Golden Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus geei)

Great Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)

Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus)

Hoolock Gibbon (Bunipithecus hoolock) (Previously Hylobates hoolock).[1]

Indian Elephant orAsian Elephant (Elephas maximus)

Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor).[1]

Kashmir Stag/ Hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu)

Kondana Soft-furred Rat (Millardia kondana). (Endemic to India).[1]

Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus). (Endemic to India).[1]

Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta).[1]

Malabar Civet (Viverra civettina)

Markhor(Capra falconeri).[1]

Marsh Mongoose (Herpestes palustris). (Endemic to India.) (Previously considered to be a

subspecies ofHerpestes javanicus).[1]

Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami)

Nicobar Shrew (Crocidura nicobarica). (Endemic to India).[1]

Nicobar Tree Shrew (Tupaia nicobarica). (Endemic to India).[1]

Nilgiri Leaf Monkey (Presbytis johni)

Nilgiri Tahr(Hemitragus hylocrius). (Endemic to India).[1]

Olive Ridley Turtle. (Endemic to Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, India)

Particolored Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger).[1]

Peter's Tube-nosed Bat (Murina grisea). (Endemic to India).[1]

Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius)

Red Panda (Lesser Panda) (Ailurus fulgens).[1]

Royal Bengal Tiger(Panthera tigris tigris).[1]

Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis).[1]

Servant Mouse (Mus famulus). (Endemic to India).[1]

Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia).[1]

Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). (Previously Bubalus arnee).[1]

Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus).[1]

Vulnerable

"Endangered Mammal List". Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Retrieved 2007-08-06.


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Andaman Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus cognatus). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Andaman Rat (Rattus stoicus). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Argali (Ovis ammon).[1]

Himalayan W-toothed Shrew (Crocidura attenuate)[2]

Sri Lankan Highland Shrew (Suncus montanus).[1]

Asiatic Black Bear(Ursus thibetanus).[1]

Asiatic Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii).[1]

Assamese Macaque (Macaca assamensis).[1]

Back-striped Weasel (Mustela strigidorsa).[1]

Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli).[1]

Bare-bellied Hedgehog (Hemiechinus nudiventris). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra).[1]

Brow-antlered Deer(Cervus eldi eldi)[2]

Brown Bear(Ursus arctos)[2]

Brown fish owl (Ketupa zeylonensis). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Brown Palm Civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni)[2]

Central Kashmir Vole (Alticola montosa). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa).[1]

Day's Shrew (Suncus dayi). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Dhole (Cuon alpines).[1]

Dugong (Dugong dugon).[1]

Eld's Deer(Cervus eldi).[1]

Elvira Rat (CremnomysElvira). (Endemic to India.)[1]

European Otter(also known as Eurasian Otter) (Lutra lutra)[1]

Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus).[1]

Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis).[1]

Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)[2]

Gaur(Bos gaurus).[1]

Golden Jackal (Canis aureus)[2]

Goral (Nemorhaedus goral)[2]

Himalayan Musk Deer(Moschus chrysogaster)[2]

Himalayan Shrew (Soriculus nigrescens)[2]

Himalayan Tahr(Hemitragus jemlahicus).[1]


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Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).[1]

Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis)[2]

Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Indian Wolf(Canis lupus indica)[2]

Irrawaddy Squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus).[1]

Jerdon's Palm Civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Kashmir Cave Bat (Myotis longipes).[1]

Kerala Rat (Rattus ranjiniae). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Khajuria's Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros durgadasi). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Kolar Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros hypophyllus). (Endemic to India.)

Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros).[1]

Lesser Panda (Ailurus fulgens)[1]

Mainland Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis).[1]

Malayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyuran).[1]

Mandelli's Mouse-eared Bat (Myotis sicarius).[1]

Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata).[1]

Mouflon (orUrial) (Ovis orientalis).[1]

Nicobar Flying Fox (Pteropus faunulus). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Nilgiri Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus johnii). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Nilgiri Marten (Martes gwatkinsii). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Nonsense Rat (Rattus burrus). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Asiatic Wild Ass (Equus hemionus).[1]

Pale Grey Shrew (Crocidura pergrisea). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Palm Rat (Rattus palmarum). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Red Goral (Naemorhedus baileyi).[1]

Rock Eagle-owl (Bubo bengalensis). (Endemic to India.)[1]

Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus).[1]

Sikkim Rat (Rattus sikkimensis).[1]

Sloth Bear(Melursus ursinus).[1]

Slow Loris (Loris tardigradus).[1]

Smooth-coated Otter(Lutrogale perspicillata). (Previously Lutra perspicillata.)[1]

Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus).[1]

Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura).[1]


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Stumptail Macaque (Macaca arctoides).[1]

Takin (Budorcas taxicolor).[1]

Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus).[1]

Wild Yak (Bos grunniens).[1]

[edit]Threatened

Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur)[2]

Leopard (Panthera pardus)[2]

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes montana)[2]

y

Tiger (Panthera tigris)

y

Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

y


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Grevys zebra (Equus grevyi)

y

African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

y

Lion (Panthera leo)

y

Brown bear (Ursus arctos)

y

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

y

Spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta)

y


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Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)

y

African elephant (Loxodonta africana)

y

Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

y

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

y

Aardvark (Orycteropus afer)

y

Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

y


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Puma (Puma concolor)

y

Red wolf (Canis rufus)

y

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)

y

Black spider monkey (Ateles paniscus)

y

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

y

Bonobo (Pan paniscus)

y


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Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

y

Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)

y

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

y

Grey wolf (Canis lupus)

y

Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

y

Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

y


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Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)

y

Red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

y

Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)

y

Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)

y

Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes)

y

Badger (Meles meles)

y


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Moose (Alces americanus)

y

Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii)

y

Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus)

y

Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

y

Red deer (Cervus elaphus)

y

African wild ass (Equus africanus)

y


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Bornean orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus)

y

Kittis hog-nosed bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai)

y

Large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus)

y

Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

y

Pygmy three-toed sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus)

y

White-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar)

endangered species for deb

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