All across the world, there are countless habitats full of life. The Sahara, the Amazon, the Rocky Mountains, the Himalayas and many others are all bountiful with plants and animals.

Unfortunately, many of the species from these beloved ecosystems are under threat from many factors, including humankind itself. 

Some species have become endangered due to human causes, both in the past and present. One such example of an unfortunate species is the Amur Leopard, as it is hunted for its pelt. Humans have also brought species to the “endangered” status because they have torn away the habitat that these animals have inhabited for centuries.

Mankind has also contributed to the extinction of numerous species, either by direct or unintentional involvement. A well-known example is the extinction of the dodo bird, which was hunted to extinction in the 1600s.

The Thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian Tiger, is another example, as the species was driven extinct due to both human hunting and competition with dingoes on mainland Australia and, eventually, Tasmania.

Humanity can reverse its effects on endangered species by protecting their habitats. Acts have been put in place to protect endangered species and their habitats, including the US Endangered Species Act. These forms of protection are vital to the protection of the species that are endangered.

Humans can also stop the poaching and the illegal wildlife trade of endangered species. These acts have decimated the numbers of many species, so poaching has to be one of the main concerns of conservationists for these species.

People need to protect animal species and learn from the mistakes that have contributed to extinctions. If  we don’t protect endangered species, then mankind may go from living on an Earth full of life to an Earth devoid of life.

For more information about endangered species, click here.