Do we need to conserve wildlife animals?
- rossely321
- 21 mrt 2023
- 3 minuten om te lezen
I wouldn’t say that I have always been the most passionate about wildlife conservation. But I have always been interested in it and wanted to know more about it. We haven’t discussed this topic in class, but I think this is also a very serious matter to cover. After all, prevent animals from extinction is included in SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) number 15, “life on land”.
Many questions that come from curiosities about wildlife sometimes go through our minds randomly. For example, I would sometimes think about what would happen if one species go extinct? Would it affect us greatly? Is it always bad that a creature vanishes from this planet? I mean, I would consider the extinction of dinosaurs a good news since we will most likely get eaten by them if they were still around. But is it also good news if other animals (that we still have on the planet) also follow dinosaurs’ path?
What would happen if wildlife animals extinct? One thing that I know, there would be an imbalance within the ecosystem. The food chain is broken. Let’s say lions is no longer in the wildlife. What happens then? There is likely to be an overpopulation of one species which usually are hunted by the lions. Let’s take buffalo for example. The predator is there no more. No one is preying on these buffalos to be eaten as food. And the unfortunate result of a species extinction works both ways. If buffalos vanish from earth, the lions will experience a food shortage, which might also lead to another extinction.
The sad truth is that animal’s extinction in modern days mostly caused by us, humans. It’s no longer merely caused by asteroids or viruses. They are greatly impacted by the human’s actions. But what are those causes? Some reasons are:
1. Animal hunting
Hunting has been practiced for centuries as a source of food, clothing, and other resources. However, in modern times, hunting has become a commercialized activity, and wildlife populations are unable to keep up with the pace of hunting. Some species, such as elephants and rhinoceros, are hunted for their valuable ivory and horns.
2. Habitat loss
Habitat loss is another cause of animal extinction. Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture lead to the destruction of natural habitats for many animal species. These activities result in the fragmentation and isolation of animal populations, making it difficult for them to reproduce and thrive.
3. Overfishing
Overfishing is a severe threat to marine life and has contributed to the extinction of many fish species. Large-scale commercial fishing operations can cause significant damage to marine ecosystems by depleting fish populations and destroying coral reefs.
4. Trade
Trade in wildlife products is also a significant threat to animal species. Many animal species are hunted and traded for their meat, fur, and body parts, which are used for traditional medicines and luxury goods.
5. Climate change
Climate change leads to changes in temperature, precipitation, and other weather patterns, which can alter the habitats of many animal species. Climate change also increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, which can further threaten animal populations.
The causes of animal extinction are complex and multifaceted. The governments could prevent further damages by taking concrete steps to regulate hunting, prioritize habitat conservation, implement sustainable fishing practices, combat illegal wildlife trade, and address climate change. So, what do we do then? In a TedTalk video, Moreangels Mbizah talked about how we can conserve the wildlife. The most effective way is to educate the people that are the closest to the wildlife animals about their importance. It's because Mbizah believes that people that are closest to the animals and live around them are the ones that have the biggest power and interest in conserving those animals. What we need to do is support them and spread awareness to others that wild animals' life are just as important as other lives. If we don't save the wildlife, what do you think would happen to this earth?
It is so sad that we as humans are largely responsible for the extinction of many animal species and the collapse of entire ecosystems. In some sense we are the parasites of this earth, but as you noted, there are steps we can take in order to prevent further damage.
I agree that education is key to conservation efforts. By spreading awareness about the importance of wildlife and biodiversity in our ecosystem, we can empower communities to take action and support conservation efforts. Ultimately, we must recognize that wildlife conservation is not just a responsibility, but a necessity for the sustainability of our planet.
Sybren
I think that if we don't save wildlife, the earth would face huge consequences such as a loss of biodiversity and the potential extinction of species. Because in nature, everything is connected to eachother, so the loss of a species can have a chain reaction to the enviroment, leading to imbalanced ecosystems. The extinction of one species can lead to a decrease in the survival rate of other species. Therefore, I think it is vital to conserve wildlife to maintain a healthy and sustainable planet.
Luc
First of all, well-written blog! I find it sad to realize that we cause animal extinction. The world would not be better without wildlife. The destruction of ecosystems, the loss of biodiversity, and the disruption of natural cycles are just a few of the negative effects that the extinction of wildlife can have on the environment. I totally agree that wildlife is important to maintain the balance of the Earth's ecosystems and we have to take action to prevent that animal extinction is getting bigger and bigger. It is not a subject I am very aware of, so you gave me an eye-opener.
Ielan