kids with h.e.a.r.t. helping endangered animals resist threat “images appears courtesy of...
TRANSCRIPT
Kids With H.E.A.R.T.
Helping Endangered Animals Resist Threat
“Images appears courtesy of ImageAnimals at http://www.imageanimals.com”
Have you ever wondered?
• What is the difference between extinct, endangered, and threatened?
• Why are animals endangered?• What makes some animals more at
risk than others?• What is being done to help save
endangered species?• How can I help?
Extinct
• Species that are gone forever
Stellar Sea Cows were hunted to extinction by people. They were enormous sea mammals that could be 20 to 30 feet long and weighed about 8,500 pounds. Stellar Sea Cows were killed for food.
Endangered• Endangered animals are still
living today but are in immediate danger of extinction.
Threatened
• A species that is likely to become endangered if it is not protected.
Why are Animals Endangered?
Natural Causes
Human-Induced Causes
Why are Animals Endangered?
Natural CatastrophesEarthquakesVolcanoesClimatic changesForest firesSevere weather
Natural Causes
Why are Animals Endangered?
Natural Causes:Failure to Adapt
Survival of the fittest
Inability to compete for food
Inability to compete for territory
Failure to protect it’s young
Disease
Why are Animals Endangered?
Human-Induced Causes:
Loss of HabitatHuman over population
Human need for housing, industry, farming, cities
Why are Animals Endangered?
Break in the Food Chain
Creates an in balance
Food competition
Human Induced Causes:
All living things are connected to each other. It is like a web. When we remove anything in nature, something else is affected.
Why are Animals Endangered?
Human Induced Causes:
Hunting and TrappingIllegal poaching for fur, tusk,
and body parts
Trapped for zoos
Why are Animals Endangered?
Human Induced Causes:
PollutionLitter
Contaminated water
Pesticides
What Makes Some Animals More at Risk Than Others?
Some animals are more likely to become endangered than others because they:
Interfere in some way with people’s activities
Are very sensitive to changes
Have very specific food or nesting requirements
Are naturally rare
Have small broods and long gestation periods
Migrate
Risky Business:
What is Being Done to Help Save Endangered Species?
In 1973 the Endangered Species Act was passed by the US government to protect animals.
According to the act, it is illegal to import, export, or sell protected animals.
To harm, harass, or kill a protected animal is against the law.
A fine of up to $200,000 and/or a year in jail is the penalty for breaking this law.
It is the responsibility of the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect endangered species and their habitats.
Endangered Species Act
What is Being Done to Help Save Endangered Species?
Their goal is to preserve, restore, and enhance in their natural ecosystems all species of animals that are endangered.
Over 92 million acres of land and water have been set aside for the conservation of fish and wildlife.
National Wildlife Refuge System
How “Can” I Help? Don’t litter. Be respectful of the land and animals. Urge your parents to use natural pesticides on garden plants
and crops. Cut plastic rings on six-packs before discarding them so birds
don’t get caught in them. Write to your representatives and let them know that you
support the Endangered Species Act. Read all you can about endangered animals. Tell your parents to vote for laws that protect endangered
species and their habitats. Adopt an endangered animal. Make an informational poster on an endangered animal and
display it at your school library. Design a bumper sticker to make others aware of the plight of
an endangered animal. Invite a guest speaker to present information about
endangered animals in your area.