Endangered Species

Endangered species are living things threatened with extinction - the dying off of all organisms of their kind. Today, human are the biggest threat to other mammals. Humans have caused a rapid decline in the number of mammals in the wild for various reasons, including hunting, trading, and destruction of habitats.

Wildlife biologists use three main classifications for a species that faces possible extinction:

• Endangered - these species face the most serious threat of extinction. Their survival is dependent upon direct human protection.

• Threatened - these species are still numerous in some areas, but still face serious dangers and are under great threat.

• Rare - these species are not declining, but have small populations in a few protected environments.

Each species of plant and animal plays an important part in the balance of nature. Therefore, the extinction of any species threatens the survival of other living things, including humans. Survival of these animals is dependent upon the establishment and careful management of large nature preserves and parks.