An endangered species is a population that is threatened by
the environment because of changes, and is at risk of becoming extinct. Many nations are creating laws to protect
these species and the habitats in which they live, but only a few of the
endangered species are able to obtain legal protection. Laws to prevent hunting and deforestation are
among the legislation being passed.
Within the last one hundred fifty years, the rate of extinction has
greatly increased.
Cross River gorillas, only found between Nigeria and
Cameroon, are one on the worlds most endangered species according to the IUCN
Primate Specialist Group. Roughly three
hundred Cross River gorillas are still in the wild. The main cause of their decrease
in numbers is the large amount of hunting and deforestation within their habitat. A large population of humans surrounds them. Conservationists are working to protect the
gorillas through the Takamanda National Park.
The gorillas now have a better habitat to live in, and there are over
fifty percent more gorillas. The
population is growing back after so many years.
This is related to ecology because these species are a part
of our biosphere. We have a
responsibility to take care of the world around us. Entire ecosystems will be destroyed if
preventative steps are not taken. Entire
ecosystems will become unstable, and food webs will be completely devastated. The gorillas are just one of several species
who face the dangers of extinction.
It is important that humans are more aware of what is going
on in the world around them, and that these laws are observed and
followed. Entire ecosystems could be
destroyed, and biodiversity will decrease if people do not know how to take preventative
steps. More laws should be created to
cease the hunting of endangered species, and more research should be done in
order to legally protect all of the endangered species. The Cross River gorillas were lucky in that
they were put in a more suitable habitat, millions more however, will continue
to suffer.
Sources:
Endangered
Species. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 21, 2012, from Science Daily website:
Haluzan,
N. (2012, February 2). Endangered animals – Cross River Gorilla. Retrieved
February 21, 2012, from Ecological
Problems website:
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