The elephant is such a majestic and grand mammal that it is devastating to think that humanity is the main culprit behind their near extinction. Elephants been hunted, slaughtered, and held captive for monetary purposes and it continues to this day. Elephants are a daily target of
poachers that are in search for their husks made out of Ivory, which is then sold in the black market.
·
African elephant population in the wild
yr. 1980 1,200.000 – yr. 2012 420,000.
·
It is estimated that ninety six (96)
elephants are killed every day for their ivory.
·
Ivory is sold in an international black
market that is worth millions, including here in the US.
·
Known as “the white gold of jihad” which
is the financial military force of many terrorist groups.
·
Source: (www.96elephants.org)
A big cat refers to the feline family of wild
cats that are also a species that is near extinction, and sadly enough some of
the main reasons is the human involvement in their habitat. The tiger and the
lions are among the species of which the greatest threat is centered on. Human
development that has diminished their habitat is one reason on the decline in
populations among the large cats, another would be the hunting of these
beautiful creatures for human purposes, the biggest their fur coat. Interesting facts about these creatures are
according to an article from National Geographic “Big Cats Facts”:
Lions live an average of 12- 16 years in
the wild, in captivity they live up to 25 years.
·
Lions are the only cats that live in
together in groups called prides
·
A tiger’s stripes are like fingerprints;
no two tigers are alike in the pattern.
·
Tigers have been hunted for their skins,
bones, and other body parts for medicinal purposes in china.
·
Tigers have seen a 97% decline in the
past 100 years, population is about 3,000 to 3, 200
·
Population of Lions living in savanna is
about 32, 000 today as opposed to 100,000, in 1960.
·
Cheetah population 100,000 in 1900 to
10,000 today left in the world.
Many might argue that
our planet has bigger problems and concerns than to invest time and money in
the conservation of an animal species that is at the brink of extinction. What
many might not realize is that these animals have a right to exist just like
any other animal including ourselves. It is vital that people become aware of
the issue that is to conserve wild animals such as the elephant and the big
cats. The most important thing is to spread awareness of the crucial
fact that is to keep them in their natural habitat! They too have a role in our
ecosystems, with their disappearance we would see a void, a hole in the place
where they belong, we need to be aware and learn how their role that is crucial.
No comments:
Post a Comment