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The entire world is celebrating International Biodiversity Day on May 22nd. This day is meant to underscore the significance of every species on Mother Earth. Almost all countries are endeavoring to protect living beings, recognizing that each species plays a pivotal role in maintaining the ecological balance of our planet.
Indeed, we are fortunate to be part of this Living Earth. Consider the species that are on the brink of extinction; in the to come, they will never experience the beauty of this planet. The theme for Biological Diversity Day 2024 is "Be Part of the Plan". This theme serves as a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by supporting the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity.
As I mentioned, many species are facing extinction. To underscore the gravity of this situation, I refer to research conducted by aplaceforanimals.com in November 2023.
The findings were startling and unfortunately did not receive widespread attention. Let us revisit and delve deeper into the study conducted by environmentalists.
Here are the key findings of the research:
- Amphibians are in significant danger, with an alarming 41% on the verge of extinction.
- Of 65,000 vertebrate species, which constitute merely 3% of all animal species, are under the threat of extinction.
- According to the IUCN Red List, 42,100 out of 65,000 are facing an imminent threat of extinction.
- Out of 8,536 amphibian species, a concerning 41% are endangered.
- The Javan rhino population numbers only 75, while merely 100 Amur Leopards roam in the wild.
- An annual investment of $1.3 billion globally could potentially save only 841 critically threatened species.
The urgency to act and contribute to conserving our planet's biodiversity has never been more critical.
Prominent Animals Facing Near-Term Extinction Risks
Now let's talk about the species which are very near to extinct:
Amur Leopards
The Amur leopard, a leopard subspecies native to the Primorye region of southeastern Russia and northern China, faces a critical situation with only 100 individuals left in the wild. Significant threats include habitat destruction and prey scarcity.
Sunda Island Tigers
From a population of 800 in 1985, the Sunda Island tiger's numbers have dwindled to a mere 400 in Sumatra, Indonesia. The species is endangered primarily due to poaching and illegal trade.
Javan Rhinoceros
The Javan rhinoceros, also known as the Javan rhino, Sunda rhinoceros, or lesser one-horned rhinoceros, is a critically endangered member of the Rhinoceros genus within the Rhinocerotidae family. It stands as one of the five remaining extant rhinoceros species across South Asia and Africa. With a population of only 75 remaining in Java, Indonesia, the species faces threats from habitat loss, disease, and poaching.
Mountain Gorillas
There are two distinct populations of mountain gorillas. One resides in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central/East Africa within three National Parks: Mgahinga, in southwest Uganda; Volcanoes, in northwest Rwanda; and Virunga, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The other population is found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With an estimated total population of approximately 1,000 individuals, urgent conservation efforts are imperative.
Kakapos
The kākāpō, also referred to as the owl parrot or moss chicken, is a large, nocturnal, ground-dwelling parrot endemic to New Zealand. With only around 140 individuals left, these parrots are threatened by predation and climate change.
Tooth-billed Pigeons
The tooth-billed pigeon, also known as the manumea, is a large pigeon found exclusively in Samoa and is the sole living species of the Didunculus genus. Estimated to have a population between 70 to 380, they face endangerment from hunting and habitat loss.
Tapanuli Orangutans
The Tapanuli orangutan, a species restricted to South Tapanuli in the Sumatra island of Indonesia, was identified as a distinct species in 2017. With fewer than 800 individuals remaining, deforestation poses a significant threat to their survival.
African Forest Elephants
The African forest elephant, one of the two living species of African elephants, is native to humid tropical forests in West Africa and the Congo Basin. Occupying only 25% of their original range, their population is declining.
Hawksbill Turtles
The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), a critically endangered species belonging to the Cheloniidae family, has seen an 80% population decline, marking them as critically endangered.
Vaquitas
The vaquita, a porpoise species endemic to the northern end of the Gulf of California in Baja California, Mexico, faces a dire situation with only 9 individuals remaining. Despite bans, illegal fishing remains a critical threat to their survival.
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