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.
the poler bears are dieing
why do people even hunt
Well we do need food but we can hunt much less
that is sad
why do people hurt poor animals whad did they do to you
poor defenceless little animals
I hope that we can help them!
wow hard to believe 4% of tigers get wiped out every year by human sports
let help them
yeah
So many people in my family hunt I hate it
The turtle is so cute