The world is a very wonderful and mysterious place. For the human race, it seems to be a vast land of endless possibilities and opportunities. We evolved and adapted to this world, and now hold the power to make or break all of mankind. But for other species of animals and plants, the world is cruel place where only the strongest will survive.

Many species of animal on the earth are quickly going extinct. And as the world’s most highly-evolved and intelligent animal, it’s up to humans to help these other species’ not only survive, but thrive.

1: The Black Rhino. Since 1970, the Black Rhino population has declined by 90%. Native to southern and eastern Africa, this species of rhino cannot adapt and move to a more peaceful climate. There are less than 3,000 of these beautiful animals left, and they are still being killed by poachers who harvest their horns. The Trade of Rhinos has been banned for over twenty years. But Africa being so vast, these laws are difficult to enforce and Rhino parts are still in great demand.

2: The Giant Panda. One of the world’s most beautiful animals, and part of China’s valued and storied history, the Giant Panda is facing immediate extinction. In our own lifetime, we could see the complete disappearance of this species of animal. Fewer than 1,000 Pandas remain in their native habitat of China. Their loss of natural habitat is leaving the Pandas unable to mate or even feed in some cases. The Pandas which don’t starve to death are in danger of being poached.

3: The Tiger. Throughout history, big cats have come and gone. Millions of years before humans walked the earth, large cats roamed free. Nature has always found a way to bring these cats back through evolution. But with the 6-billion people who walk this earth, tearing up natural habitats to build and cultivate, nature is powerless to recreate something as magnificent as the Tiger. Native only to tropical zones in Southeast Asia and temperate regions like the Russian Fast East, the Tigers numbers dwindle to below 6,000. The species is poached for their skin, and even their bones which are used in medicines.

4: The Beluga Sturgeon. This fish is called a living fossil. One of the oldest species on our planet, the Belugas eggs are prized by connoisseurs of caviar. The high-priced, pearl-like caviar makes these fish increasingly vulnerable to poachers who stand to profit a fortune by catching a pregnant female. Only found in the Caspian Sea, the Beluga Sturgeon is unable to be cultivated.

5: Goldenseal. The 5^th most endangered species isn’t an animal, but a plant. The perennial Goldenseal is an herb favored by naturopaths for its ability to heal multiple ailments. Healing everything from hemorrhoids to allergies, this North American plant is in immediate danger of being wiped out due to an overwhelming demand for its cure-all power. Ironically, the extinction of this plant is being brought on by those who wish to

Tags: beluga sturgeon, black rhino, endangered species, giant panda, Goldenseal, tiger

This entry was posted on Friday, June 6th, 2008 at 10:18 am and is filed under Animal Life, Fishing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.