The interest in endangered species, and especially efforts to help save them, seems to be ever-increasing. Unfortunately, so are the things that threaten them. What can be done?
Well, I think a good place to start is by learning more about and appreciating them. With this in mind, I would like to make a small proposal to everyone who stumbles across this:
Consider learning everything you can about your favorite endangered species. Commit to doing whatever you can, no matter how small, to help ensure its survival and its gradual population increase, which can guide it to an improved conservation status. This could mean making a small donation of anything you can afford to the World Wildlife Fund (or other conservation organization). It could mean volunteering your time to a local non-profit that works towards revitalizing the habitat of an endangered species. Whatever it means for you, consider this:
What if each one of us who loves animals, and is concerned about their prosperity and preservation in their natural habitat, did this? Imagine the possibilities!
If you are not aware of it, I would like to introduce you to the “Species Adoptions” page of the World Wildlife Fund’s website. Check it out, it is most awesome! You can pick from one of ninety different threatened species, and “adopt” one of them. When you click on their pictures, you will be taken to a page where you have your choice of amounts to donate, and where you can see a host of gifts that accompany the specified amounts. If you choose to adopt by making a donation, you will be sent an adoption certificate, and a variety of other cool gifts (depending on the amount). You can even give a gift to someone else! Now who wouldn’t want the cute little plush Snow Leopard?
So think about it. If each one of us took the time to learn about, adopt, and track the progress of our favorite endangered species, then the possibilities of a gradual revival of the world’s biodiversity can be one way to help nurse our planet back to better health.
So the natural world needs our help, and we all love animals, don’t we? One thing that Gina and I will be making a regular part of this blog is a discussion about the importance of ecology and biodiversity. We feel that the world consists of some most beautiful natural systems. There is an inherent balance that needs to be maintained within them. Unfortunately, in our “man-made” world, many of us don’t know too much about the workings of them, and the parts that our favorite species play within them. But the more we learn, the more we discover the wisdom that nature teaches, and how every species plays an important part to our own health and well-being.
So where can you start to see if your favorite species may be threatened?
If you are not familiar with The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, then I would like to take this time to introduce it to you, and the wonderful organization that produces it.
The website of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species can be found by clicking here. You can learn more about the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) by checking out their website.
Basically, “The Red List” serves as the most thorough classification available of the conservation status of animal and plant species.
Consider looking up your favorite animal using the search field on the site. For example, the beautiful picture of the snow leopard above depicts a species which is considered Endangered according to The Red List. Search for the snow leopard, and you will find a wealth of information.
Not only can you learn about its habitat and ecology, you can also learn what threats there are to its survival, as well as what conservation actions exist.
Chances are you will find other organizations which you can learn about and potentially help, if you are able. In the case of the snow leopard, the following are organizations that work toward its benefit, as mentioned on The Red List:
So please offer help in any way you can. The more people become aware about their favorite creatures, and how important their places in the world are, the less often we will see new species ending up on The IUCN Red List!
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