Main Causes of Endangerment

There are different reasons why a species becomes endangered. Some threats are limited to specific species but other causes are more widespread. The most prominent factors that lead to animal endangerment include:

Habitat Destruction:
     Loss of habitat is the number one cause of species endangerment and is mostly caused by humans. Natural changes occur slowly, giving species the opportunity to adjust but rapid changes initiated by humans often allow no time for adaptation. Habitat loss often occurs to make room for buildings, highways, agriculture, etc. Rivers are dammed to create hydropower. Sometimes habitat is not totally destroyed but is so badly damaged that native species can no longer survive there.

Overexploitation:
     Animals are often killed to satisfy selfish human desire for exotic fashions, crafts and medicines, or sometimes just to obtain an eye-catching trophy. The international market for animals and animal parts is a huge and growing cause of wildlife endangerment. Modern fishing methods, developed not only for faster and easier working conditions, but also to increase profits, often destroy as many fish as are utilized.

Pollution:
     Creatures that depend on either fresh or salt water for all or part of their life cycles, such as fish, frogs, marine mammals, and many invertebrates, are especially vulnerable to pollution. The main causes of water pollution include run-off or fertilizers and pesticides from farms; oil and other chemicals from roads; dumping of waste by ships; oil spills; untreated human sewage flowing into waterways; and acid rain. Diversion of water for various reasons compounds the problem, as it leaves less water to dilute pollutants.
     Pesticides used to protect crops remain in the corps and wild plants and are carried by insects. Animals that eat the contaminated sources get high levels of these chemicals in their systems, which can disrupt reproduction of the species.

Other Factors:
     Disease and insect infestation are natural occurrences in some ecosystems, and can be seen as nature’s way of eliminating the weaker members while allowing the stronger ones to survive. However, these natural events can completely destroy a species that is already weakened or threatened by other causes.

Conclusion:
     It is obvious that the main causes leading to wildlife endangerment are human activities. We are responsible for threatening, and often destroying, the animal life forms that we depend upon for various reasons. It is, therefore, up to us to do what is necessary to halt, and hopefully reverse, some of the damage we have done. We can start with a close examination of our own individual habits and practices, determine what changes we can make, and do something about it. No effort is too small. Every little thing we do can make a difference.