Endangered Animals of China
An endangered species is a species that is threatened with imminent extinction in the near future due to factors which include the elimination or reduction of the species' natural bio-habitat, food sources and ecosystem, or disease or over-exploitation. China is home to a vast number of endangered animals, and conservationists worldwide are working hard to help find solutions to the systemic cultural and environmental problems contributing to the loss of these species.
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Theories
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Human habits are believed to be largely responsible for much of the endangerment of China's animal species. The growth of large cities, industrialization, mining and the clearing of large amounts of land for agricultural use, amd the use of pesticides and herbicides, have contributed to the loss of habitat and the destruction of food sources for many of China's endangered species. Overfishing and excessive hunting, as well as the proliferation of massive commercial fishing industries, have also contributed to a loss of habitat and food for China's endangered animals.
Types of Endangered Species in China
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Animals that are considered to be currently endangered in China include the Asian elephant, black gibbon, capped leaf monkey, Chinese dormouse, Chinese shrew-mole, the Tibetan antelope, complex-toothed flying squirrel, dwarf blue sheep, giant panda, greater stripe-backed shrew, Gray snub-nosed monkey, Hainan gymnure, Hoolock gibbon, inquisitive shrew-mole, Koslov's pika, long-eared Jerboa, long-tailed birch mouse, Northern right whale, parti-colored flying squirrel, red panda, snow leopard, tiger and the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey.
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Implications
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The entire food chain is affected by the loss of any species of animal. From the largest tiger to the tiniest bee, every animal and insect in existence has a role to play in the chain of life. When bees fail to pollinate flowers, fruits and vegetables, for example, mankind suffers a loss of available foods, and feed for cattle, pigs and other domesticated farm animals becomes less available and more expensive to produce. According to The World Health Organization, roughly 80 percent of people in the world depend on plants and animals to produce life-saving medications, and this is especially true in countries such as China, where many in the population still use traditional forms of medication from herbs and animal substances. The reduction of many of these species of animals and plants is due, in part, to the popularity of their medicinal uses, but as they become less available to the general public because of their endangered status and laws governing the sale of endangered animal and plant products, people who have depended upon them for medicinal use are unable to be treated with traditional medicine. Therefore, it is in mankind's own best interest to help preserve and protect the natural habitats and life-sustaining environments of every species--endangered, threatened or otherwise.
What to Do
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The best way to do your part to help save endangered species in China and around the world is to live by the motto, "Think globally, live locally." This means that you can save your part of the environment every day by making earth and habitat-friendly choices about the way you spend your money. Buy local, organic or sustainably farmed produce whenever possible. Do not buy things from countries that do not enforce laws against poaching, over-harvesting of the forests or from anyone that in any way supports or practices activities that cause the degradation of endangered species' natural habitat. Donate money to environmental organization committed to supporting the cause of protecting endangered and threatened species worldwide, such as The World Wildlife Fund. Educate your family and your friends and neighbors about the perils of losing endangered species throughout the world.
Glass Half Full
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Though the outlook appears bleak for the one-quarter of the world's species considered endangered, recent conservation efforts do appear to be helping to improve the situation in China and elsewhere. Over 1,000 species of animals thought to have been completely extinct have been redisovered in the greater Mekong area of Southeast Asia in the past decade and are now being placed under the protections afforded species listed as "endangered." With improved habitat protection and international cooperation in efforts to shield species from poaching, over-harvesting and other dangers, many of the animals in China that are endangered stand a much stronger chance of long-term survival.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit morguefile.com
