Why is it Important to Protect Endangered Animals?

An endangered species is an organism that is being threatened with extinction due to pollution, overhunting or habitat loss. Endangered species can include plants, animals, birds, fish, reptiles or amphibians. In the past, most species were threatened mainly due to overhunting. Today, the biggest threat to species is habitat loss due to human building and development. Environmental degradation due to pollution is also a major threat to species.

Biodiversity is an important part of a vital, healthy and functioning ecosystem. When species are removed from an ecosystem, the delicate balance that maintained the health of the environment is disturbed, and can lead to disastrous results. Some regions, like the tropical rain forests, support a huge variety of species, so when one becomes extinct, the food web is disrupted. However, in ecosystems such as deserts where there is less biodiversity, even the extinction of one seemingly minor species can have a major ripple effect. Maintaining biodiversity is one of the most important reasons for protecting endangered species.

There is much that can be learned from plants and animals that can benefit humans. Many modern medicines, for example, have their roots in tropical rain forests. The designs of early airplane wings were based on bird wings. It is impossible to study the plant or animal once it is gone. Many species have disappeared from Earth because of human activity, including the Caribbean monk seal, the Bali tiger, the Japanese wolf and the Mexican grizzly bear.

Scientifically, when an animal becomes extinct, the environment loses the unique genes that made up that species' DNA. A diverse gene pool is essential to life on Earth. A rich gene pool leads to quicker recovery of species when a disease or environmental toxin is introduced into the population. In addition, in order for a species' unique genes to have developed, millions of years of evolution had to occur. Regaining gene diversity after species extinction takes many more millions of years.

Protecting habitat enriches our planet, by keeping wild places wild. It also benefits humans, by keeping important watersheds intact and ensuring clean drinking water. Protecting habitat benefits all life, not just the targeted endangered species.