The Holocene extinction, or sixth mass extinction, commenced approximately 10,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. Since then, species have been becoming extinct at an alarming rate; in the 20th century alone, we lost more than 540 land vertebrate species, with scientists predicting that the problem will only worsen in years to come. Conservationists warn that we could lose just as many species over the next 20 years alone.
Factors contributing to the problem include deforestation, overfishing, poaching, and pollution. Here, we look at four species on the verge of extinction and what we can do to prevent it.
1. Southern Rockhopper Penguin
Native to Antarctica, Eudyptes chrysocomeearns its common name from negotiating cliffs and rocky hillsides in Argentina, Chile, the Falkland Islands, and New Zealand by hopping. Featuring a distinctive crest of black and yellow feathers, this species only grows to a height of 2 feet and weight of 6 pounds.
More diminutive than the emperor penguin, the rockhoppers’ population has decreased by a quarter in the last 30 years. Scientists fear that climate change is placing them at an even greater risk of extinction.
2. Siberian Tiger
Pushed to the brink of extinction by human encroachment, logging, poaching, and slash-and-burn agriculture, the majestic Siberian tiger is the largest cat in the world. Averaging 3.3 meters in length, with a tail measuring 1 meter alone, this mighty creature can weigh up to 320 kilograms.
Tigers are distinguishable by their markings, with no two stripe patterns exactly alike. Siberian tigers are unique from other tiger species because they have a mane to help keep them warm during harsh winters. They also have fewer, paler stripes.
Also known as the Amur tiger, the species is found in small numbers in China, North Korea, and southeastern Russia. They are solitary animals, roaming many miles alone. Siberian tigers are included on the IUCN Red List, with experts estimating that fewer than 500 specimens still remain in the wild.
3. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Marine fish account for approximately 15 percent of all animal protein consumed by humans. Fish stocks have rapidly been outpaced by human population growth, causing numbers of some species to dwindle, pushing them closer to extinction.
In the Gulf of Mexico, bluefish tuna spawns have declined dramatically, falling by over 80 percent since 1970. A prized sushi fish, a single bluefin tuna fetched $396,000 at auction in 2011.
With demand far exceeding sustainable fishing levels, Atlantic bluefin tuna have been hunted to the verge of extinction.
4. Amur Leopard
With just 100 amur leopards left in China and Russia, it is heartening that the species has actually seen a significant population increase in recent years, with a startling two dozen reported in the wild not long ago.
The amur leopard faces numerous threats to its existence, from inbreeding to deforestation, poaching, and industrial encroachment.
The amur leopard is the world’s rarest big cat, cited as critically endangered since 1996. WWF cautiously reports that stocks in the wild seem to be stabilizing and possibly increasing, particularly in Russia, where poachers face up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of over 1 million rubles for killing one of these magnificent animals.
Steps We Can Take to Protect Endangered Species
In terms of conservation, important steps include learning about endangered species in our area, becoming involved in environmental projects, pledging financial support, and volunteering at a local wildlife refuge or nature center.
Another way we can all play a part is by making our homes wildlife friendly. With millions of wild birds killed annually by colliding with windows, you can reduce that risk simply by applying decals to your glass.
With the effects of climate change becoming an increasingly pervasive problem worldwide, we are all acutely aware of our need to reduce our carbon footprint. Investing in sustainable products, green energy sources, and recycling are great ways to protect the environment for generations to come.
A U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI)-based conservation group, Island Green Living Association has facilitated the transition to greener practices in the region by, among other things, lobbying for legislation to ban sunscreens that detrimentally affect human health and have a catastrophic impact on coral reefs and other marine life. In addition, this groundbreaking environmental organization successfully lobbied for a ban on plastic bags and straws throughout the USVI, driving a significant reduction in plastic waste entering the world’s oceans as part of the organization’s efforts to minimize the monumental problem of plastic pollution.