Top Ten Reasons Earth Month is for the Animals

We are dedicating Earth Month to the animals because species around the world need our help! Many populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects are declining. What’s causing this incredible diversity of life to disappear? Here are ten of the biggest threats that are causing animal populations to decline.

Climate Change

Climate change is warming the polar bear’s Arctic home; melting sea ice and making it difficult for them to find food.

Deforestation

The giant panda’s forest home in China is disappearing as the trees are being cut down to make room for development projects.

Invasion of non-native species

Zebra mussels multiply so quickly and filter out such larger amounts of phytoplankton that they are outcompeting native species.

Ocean acidification

Shelled animals, like mussels, clams and starfish, have a harder time building their shells in more acidic water.

Pollution

Frogs have sensitive permeable skin, which means they easily absorb pollution from the water they live in causing their populations to decline.

Overfishing

The endangered Bluefin tuna’s populations have declined because of overfishing.

Hunting

Hunters target rhinos for their horns, which are sold illegally. This practice has devastated rhino populations.

Pet trade

Baby sea turtles are stolen out of the ocean by poachers, who sell them illegally as pets.

Habitat fragmentation

The forest habitat that tigers need to survive is increasingly being divided up by human development.