ocean — Blog — Wildlife Woods

Human beings won the evolutionary race so long ago that it’s almost hard to believe any genuine competition as the world’s most dominant species ever existed. As self-appointed custodians of the beautiful planet we inhabit, it is our duty to look after the welfare of all species that call the Earth home.

The term “social responsibility” is one that I hear almost on a day-to-day basis. Most who embrace this ethos consider the positive impact they can contribute to human society, but many forget about the flora and fauna that play a pivotal role in balancing the delicate ecosystems our lives depend upon.

In 2020, it is fairly common knowledge that the human race depends heavily on nature. Despite this, our rainforests are being cut down at an alarming rate, carbon emissions are melting sea ice, and plastic and other harmful waste is being dumped into the oceans, in some cases literally choking marine life to death. These are just a few of the terrible consequences of irresponsible human activity.

While scientists warn that our destructive and unsustainable practices will eventually come back to haunt us, the effects of our actions are already proving to be catastrophic to many other species. The vast majority of people already know about the plight of iconic animals such as the tiger, orangutan, and Asian elephant, but this article serves to bring attention to some of the lesser-known species threatened with extinction.

Kakapo

The only parrot incapable of flight, the Kakapao was once widespread on all three main islands of New Zealand and at one time was considered the third most numerous of all species residing in the Oceanian nation. However, since human settlement, the Kakapao population has plummeted to around only 126 birds, making them extremely susceptible to extinction. The ground-dwelling birds were once hunted for food and their feathers which were turned into cloaks, but recent conservation efforts have helped them to become a protected species.

Baiji

Also known as the Chinese River Dolphin, the Baiji is a functionally extinct species of freshwater cetacean. As China began to industrialize, their population declined emphatically due to factors such as fishing, transportation and hydroelectricity. The last know living Baiji was spotted back in 2002, but after a number of unofficial sightings including a video tape caught by a Chinese man in 2007, it has been somewhat tentatively confirmed that there may be up to 20 individuals still living somewhere in the Yangtze River.

Amur Leopard

With an estimated figure of only 57 individuals prowling the southeastern regions of Russia between Vladivostok and the Chinese border, the Amur Leopard is the rarest big cat on the planet. Threats to these critically endangered felines include poaching, forest fires, encroaching civilization, and habitat loss. Due to their alarmingly small population, they are also at risk from inbreeding depression.

Javan Rhinoceros

As one of the most recognizable species on the planet, most, if not all know of the rhinoceros. The more zoologically curious will probably also be aware of the black and white rhino that reside in sub-Saharan Africa, both of which are endangered. What many don’t realize, however, is that three other species walk the grasslands, forests and swamps of southeast Asia. The trio are severely threatened with extinction, but none more so than the Javan Rhinoceros. They are continuously poached for their horns which can reach as much as $30,000 per kilo on the black market. Sadly, it is estimated that only 56-68 individuals remain in the wild today.

Cross-river Gorilla

Estimated at between 200-300 individuals, the Cross-river Gorilla is very similar in appearance to the Western Lowland Gorilla. They live in a region heavily populated by humans around the borders of Cameroon and Nigeria. The large ape’s low numbers are due to deforestation for timber and clearing space for agriculture and livestock. Human encroachment plays another crucial factor in their survival, with individuals being highly vulnerable to the diseases and viruses that we carry.

Giant Ibis

By far the largest of the world’s ibises, the Giant Ibis is considered critically endangered on the IUCN Red List with less than 100 pairs left in the wild. Primary causes include clear-cutting of forests for rubber plantations and drainage of wetlands for cultivation. Human warfare and local droughts - possibly in relation to global climate change - have severely compromised the behavior and breeding habitats of the Giant Ibis in Cambodia, Laos and possibly Vietnam.

Leatherback Sea Turtle

On a global scale Leatherback Sea Turtles are considered vulnerable, but there are many sub-populations which are critically endangered. The largest of all sea turtle species, Leatherbacks are also one of the most migratory. Despite their wide distribution, Leatherback numbers have diminished in the past century owing to irresponsible human activities. This includes intense egg collection, entanglement in lobster pot ropes, bycatch, and physical and chemical pollution. Many Leatherbacks also die from malabsorption and intestinal blockage whilst ingesting plastic bags they mistake for their jellyfish prey.

Saola

Often referred to as the “Asian Unicorn”, Saola are so rare and elusive that they have only been categorically documented by scientists in the wild on four separate occasions. Their restrictive habitat in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and Laos and aversion to human proximity make the Saola highly vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation. Closely related to bovines, goats, and antelopes the species also suffer losses through illegal hunting for their meat and fur. Only discovered in 1992, it is not yet known exactly how many Saola exist, but the species is widely considered to be critically endangered.

Chinese Giant Salamander

Giant Chinese Salamander / Photo: Shutterstock

Of all the animal classes, Amphibians are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and therefore the greatest indicators of the health of the surrounding environment. The Chinese Giant Salamander was once widely distributed across China, but human interventions such as over-hunting for food and medicine, destruction of habitat, and global warming have all contributed to their downfall. Most Chinese Giant Salamanders stop feeding at water temperatures in excess of 20 °C and with rates rapidly rising, it may well spell the demise of the world’s largest amphibian.

Vaquita

Only discovered in 1958, the Vaquita is a tiny porpoise considered to be the world’s rarest marine mammal. Almost 60 years after the first sighting, the species is now on the brink of extinction with only 30 individuals swimming off the coasts of the northern regions of the Gulf of California. Their plight is mostly down to illegal fishing operations, with many individuals caught and drowned in gillnets. Unfortunately, the future of the Vaquita looks very bleak.

This article was originally published by Youth Time International Magazine on 20.12.2017