Endangered Animals

Some animals are endangered because of habitat destruction, introduction of exotic species, overexploitation, disease, pollution, and limited distribution. Habitat destruction is a threat to animals because the victims of habitat destruction will not have a home and will eventually die. The strongest forces in habitat destruction are human beings. The extinction of fish and various aquatic species in polluted habitats and changes in global climate brought by the effect of greenhouse gases are both results of human activity. Overexploitation is harmful to animals because the trade in animal body parts has caused many animals to suffer high rates of overexploitation. Unrestricted whaling during the 20th century is an example of overexploitation.

The Koala is a marsupial has strong clawed feet used for climbing on trees. They live on the coastal regions of Eastern Australia. The Koala has become endangered because it is valued for its soft fur, they are not immune to disease and if a virus is spread among Koalas, hundreds of Koalas may die, and their habitats are being destroyed. The Koala almost only eats eucalyptus leaves so it has a limited supply of food.

The Scarlet Macaw is bright red with blue and yellow wings, blue and red tail feathers, and a white face with curved beaks. It is found in the treetops from Mexico to southern Brazil. The Scarlet Macaw is endangered because of the demand for its colorful feathers in earlier centuries.

The Siberian Tiger is a large cat with orange fur and dark brown stripes. It is found in a few areas in Europe and is found in Asian zoos. The Siberian Tiger is endangered because of illegal poaching.

The Blue Whale is believed to be the largest animal that ever lived on Earth. They are nearly found in all the oceans. The Blue Whale is endangered due to whalers almost hunting Blue Whales almost to extinction.

The Zebra is part of the horse family. It is known for its black and white stripes. It is native to central and southern Africa. The zebra is endangered because it is hunted for its hide and it competes with other animals for food.

The Giant Panda is part of the bear family. It is known for how they resemble a teddy bear. The Giant Panda is found in mountainous regions in China. It is endangered because of habitat loss, a very low birthrate, and poaching.

The Bald Eagle is also known in North America as the American Eagle. It is a bird of prey and is recognized as the national bird of the United States. The Bald Eagle was close to being extinct in the 20th century because of habitat destruction, but the population is now becoming stable.