Introduction
World Animal Day, celebrated on October 4th each year, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness and celebrating the diverse and magnificent creatures that share our planet. It's a day to recognize the importance of animals in our lives and to advocate for their well-being. It was established in 1931 by a group of ecologists at a convention in Florence, Italy. It was initially created to highlight the plight of endangered species. Today we learn about 10 endangered species around the world who need support and protection form our side.
The list is as follows
❖ Bengal Tiger
Living in India, we must know 70% of Bengal tigers reside here. The animal has been endangered for many years of persistent poaching for its skin and body parts, trophy hunting, and urban development issues. The species now live in just 7% of their initial range, with fewer than 2,000 of them left.
❖ Asiatic Lion
The Asiatic Lion was historically native across south-west Asia to eastern India. But now, the species’ entire population can only be found in India and restricted to Gujarat. Now only about 500-650 individuals are left in the country. Poaching incidents, as well as reports that organized poacher gangs have switched attention from local Bengal tigers to the Gujarat lions, many drowning incidents of falling into wells are the causes.
❖ Gharials
Gharials are fish-eating crocodiles from India. The numbers have been in decline since the 1930s and, sadly, it is now close to extinction. There are only around 100 to 300 left in the wild. Habitat loss, pollution and entanglement in fishing nets, along with poachers that target them for use in traditional medicine pose some big threats.
❖ Rhinos
The name Rhinoceros comes from two Greek words Rhino and Ceros, which means nose horn. Poaching for their distinctive horns is their biggest threat. Three of the five species are the most endangered species in the world: the black rhino, the Javan rhino, and the Sumatran rhino. The Javan rhino is the closest to extinction with only 66 individuals left, all of which are in Indonesia.
❖ Gorillas
There are two species, the Eastern Gorilla and the Western Gorilla, and they both have two subspecies. Three out of four are Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The only one that isn’t is the Mountain Gorilla is considered Endangered. Their decline is mostly due to poaching, habitat loss, disease, and human conflict.
❖ BlackBuck
Extreme poaching and habitat loss, the blackbuck, has resulted that it has become one of the most endangered species in India. The number has fallen to 25,000. They are found in Argentina, India and the United States.
❖ Lion-Tailed Macaque
Found only in rainforests of Western Ghats of South India, the lion-tailed macaque is a recognisable monkey identifiable by its silver-white mane that surrounds its head. Only 4,000 individuals are living at present and is projected to decline more than 20% in the next 25 years. Threats like hunting, road accidents and habitat loss disturbs them.
❖ Nilgiri Tahr
It only has about 2,500-3,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Wildlife poaching, habitat loss and climate change has led the Nilgiri Tahr to be contained within the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It will become unsuitable habitats for the goats as global surface temperatures rise.
❖ Snow Leopard
They can only be found in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the western and eastern parts of the Himalayas, with population numbers down to about 500 in India. It is the result of human interference, animal poaching, rapid decline of prey, hydroelectric and mining projects, low fertility of female leopards.
❖ Indian Bison (Gaur)
It is an animal native to South Asia and South-East Asia. It is severely threatened by wildlife poaching, shrinking habitats and food scarcity from the destruction of grasslands. The gaur is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN and is protected by India’s 1972 Wild Life Protection Act, which calls for the reintroduction of native plants and regulation of indiscriminate cattle grazing.
World Animal Day is a reminder that animals are an integral part of our world, deserving of respect, compassion, and protection. Let's work together to ensure a brighter future for all creatures, great and small.
Sources:
Written by-
Aditi Sharma (MHV Volunteer), B.Sc.(H)Chemistry, 2nd year
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