Stop Doing This...

What humans are doing to endanger animals.

Tigers are an endangered species. Here are some reasons why.

Human conservation efforts to reverse the below actions saw success in saving giant pandas. What's the story of giant pandas?

1. Pollution

• 6.5 million tons of litter are discharged into the ocean every year (World Ocean Network)

• Plastic is not biodegradable which means it will break down into smaller and smaller pieces but it will never go away

• Fish consume plastic in the ocean and thus larger ocean mammals consume it as well when they eat fish - people that consume fish can consume these chemicals as well! These chemicals consumed can cause reproductive problems among other developmental issues.

• Oil spills cause aquatic animals deaths - The Deepwater Horizon/Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill of 2010 (the worst in history) had more than 200 million gallons of crude oil released into the ocean. Dolphin deaths, previously at roughly 63 per year, rose to an average of 200 per year since the spill.

• Synthetic chemicals released into the environment can cause birth defects and health problems in mammals, insects and plants - One of the largest and most well-known examples is of the excessive use of the pesticide DDT (didorodiphenyltricholroethane). DDT was used widely in the United States during the world wars but was banned by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1972. This insecticide was found to cause hyperexcitability, tremors, convulsions, changes in the liver, sterilization, high mortality rates, and tumors in animals. Furthermore, it is extremely persistent in the environment, especially in the ocean where its half life (the time it takes for its existence to be reduced by half) is 150 years. Aquatic animals are highly affected by DDT, having issues with their heart and brain after exposure to the chemicals.

So, what do I do about this?

Anything and everything! This could quite possibly be the area of animal endangerment where an individual can make the largest impact in its reversal. There are so many simple solutions that most of you have already heard: use reusable containers and bags, not plastic; stop using straws; walk instead of drive if possible. Small, simple changes in your everyday lifestyle can truly make a difference. Remember, though, we also have a responsibility to fix what we have already ruined. So, participate in your local beach cleanups and use less fertilizers on your lawn!

2. Deforestation

• Deforestation is the clearing of trees in a large area

• Forests cover 30% of earth's surface

• 80% of all land animals and plants live in forests

• At the current rate of deforestation, earth's rain forests could be completely gone in 100 years

• Main cause of deforestation is agriculture - farmers clear land for farming or grazing area for farm animals. Farmers largely make use of slash and burn agriculture which involves cutting and burning all plants and trees in a certain area

• Another reason for deforestation is logging (the clearing of large areas of trees) - the effects of logging are compounded since more roads are built (which requires clearing trees) to access further parts of the forest

• Causes forests to loose their canopy's which in turn cause intense temperature changes for species that are not used to hot days and cold nights (canopy's help keep extreme sunlight out during the day and hold heat in at night!)

• ***Increases global warming! cutting down trees releases the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the environment. Yet once released, there are less trees to absorb the greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and the effects are compounded yet again.***

So, what do I do about this?

First things first, if you are moving or purchasing infrastructure, do it on land that has already been developed! There is plenty of it and doing so prevents unnecessary animal deaths due to habitat destruction. Second, simply use less "stuff": make sustainable choices about the food you eat and the products you purchase. Remember that eating less meat products is more environmentally friendly. Think about all the land that won't be destroyed to create animal slaughterhouses! This doesn't mean you can't eat meat, maybe just eat one less steak a week to start? Third, use less paper. Oftentimes we forget that we can make a difference as an individual. "Nothing will happen if I don't use this piece of paper" is the WRONG mindset to have. Start making more environmentally conscious decisions and you'll likely inspire others to do the same. Last, get involved in politics. It can be scary to state your personal views to the public, but the government currently places environmental and animal issues on the back burner. Unless people start to speak up and voice their discontent with this, the government is going to keep their hurtful ways.

3. Poaching (African Wildlife Foundation)

• Poaching is when hunters kill animals for profit, normally for a single part of their bodies

• It is illegal!

• Is often highly-organized and requires the use of extreme technology and weaponry - poachers use AK-47s, grenade launchers, night-vision goggles, and helicopters

• Elephants are poached for their ivory tusks which is worth up to $1,000 a pound on the black market

• Rhinos are hunted for their horns which are believed to treat anything from cancer to hangovers (which is incorrect)

• Zebras are hunted for their hide

So, what do I do about this?

It can be so easy to feel like you cannot do anything about the poaching that endangered species like elephants and rhinos face. The reality is, however, that you can make a difference. These animals are hunted in order to do one thing, make money! Guess what? Without buyers, sellers are wasting their time. So, look into where what you are purchasing is coming from and look for environmentally friendly alternatives as much as possible. For example, don't buy ivory jewelry. Maybe it's pretty but I think elephants are prettier (you probably do too if you looked at a picture of one!). Also, look at any small statues you might have used to decorate your home or were passed down to you from your parents. Are they made of ivory? If so, learn from the mistake it was to purchase that product and do better research before buying something next time. A few extra minutes of your time to research could help save an elephants life. Also, don't forget to donate to the World Wildlife Fund to help fund efforts that protect species and their environments. 84% of their donations go directly toward worldwide conservation efforts!

What species can we help by implementing and stopping some of the above actions? Gorillas. They need humans help now!

Sources Used:

“Africa Is Home to the World's Most Iconic Wildlife.” Africa's Poaching Crisis – AWF, campaign.awf.org/poaching-infographic/.

Bradford, Alina. “Deforestation: Facts, Causes & Effects.” LiveScience, Purch, 3 Apr. 2018, www.livescience.com/27692-deforestation.html.

"DDT General Fact Sheet." National Pesticide Information Center, 1999, http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/ddtgen.pdf.

“Deforestation and Its Effect on the Planet.” National Geographic, National Geographic, 17 Oct. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation/.

Ocean Portal Team, and Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative. “Gulf Oil Spill.” Ocean Portal | Smithsonian, Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, 2 July 2018, ocean.si.edu/conservation/pollution/gulf-oil-spill.

“Pollution - Facts and Figures.” World Ocean Network, 2013, www.worldoceannetwork.org/won-part-6/carem-wod-2014-4/thematic-resources-pollution/facts-figures-pollution/.