Endangered species of world.

 Threatened species of  world:                                                                   Mammals 25%                                                                                        Birds 11%                                                                                                  Reptiles 20 %                                                                                         Amphibians 25%                                                                                      Fishes 34%                                                                                               Insect 500                                                                                                 crustaceans 400                                                                                        Molluscus 900                                          Characteristics of endangered species                                                    Many factors operate independently or in various combination for the destruction or extermination of species in modern time         these pressure act on entire ecosystem e.g. hunting,habitat destruction.                                                                                           The general characters which make an species more vulnerable to extinction are summarized below                                                       , Species with low reproductive rates:                                            Many large animals have a very low reproductive rate b/c traditionally the mortality rate of their offspring was low. So today low productive rates make the organisms susceptible to modern sophisticated hunting pressure e.g. polar bears and Blue whales. Predators:                                                                                     Majority of endangered species comprises of birds of prey and predatory mammals b/c these are believed to prey upon domesticated cattle and poultry and are therefore feared and killed.     Economically valuable species:                                              Alligators and snakes are hunted for their hides.  Tigers, Bears, leopards, seals for fur  Elephants and Rhinos for their tusks  Whale for oil and meat  Ostriches and cranes for their feathers  Various birds and mammals for sale as pets.                                 Species that are susceptible to pollution:  Eagles, ospreys and falcons are highly vulnerable to pesticides and in danger of extinction.                                                                                     Island Species:                                                                                 Species living on island are more vulnerable to extinction than those living on continents                                                                      Islands constitute 7% of earth’s surface therefore half of endangered species belong to island forms.                                          Species in small islands lose contact with other population of their own kind, thereby reducing their genetic variation and making them less adaptable to environmental changes                                      Island species tend to have small population that cannot be replaced by immigration if they are destroyed.                                   The island species have evolved in isolation from predators and competitors against which they have no defenses.                               For example, seals and birds on the Galapagos Island are so tame that any predator can kill them.                                                              Human impact: Introduce Mammals to island: Goat destroy vegetation, Rats ate eggs of reptiles and birds, Mongoose that killed reptiles, Cats killed birds.                                                                     Preventive Measures to save Endangered Species: Following actions are needed to save endangered species.     Research & Documentation:                                                                   Lists of endangered species must be established by various National & International Agencies                                                          Compile information of these species (About Size of species, Size of Population, Breeding, shelter, food, climate, danger point etc.). Habitat Preservation:                                                                             Establishment of National Parks, Sanctuaries & Game Reserves     Preservation of few wetlands along the migratory routes for migration & survival of species. Wetland: According to IUCN, wetland is an area of marsh, fen, peat land, swamp or water with natural or artificial, static or flowing, fresh or brackish or salty water including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tides does not exceed 6 meters.                                                                 Providing critical resources:                                                                 Determination of resource that limiting the population size and to provide more of that resources.                                                              For example construction of nest boxes for wood duck             Legal Action:                                                                                                  Legal approaches must use to preserve species                              Enact law for conservation and severe penalties for breaking the law                                                                                                          To ban trade and transport of plants and animals that may have been killed illegally                                                                     Breeding in Captivity:                                           Breeding of rare species in captivity                                                                 International Agencies for protection and preservation of threatened species: I.U.C.N:                  International Union for Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources                                                                                              Founded in 1948 under the auspices of U.N.O                                  There are about 900 members spread over in 133 countries              IUCN encourage societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and use of natural resources equitably                                                                                                  IUCN brings out and updated RED LIST (RED DATA BOOK) which contain a detail information on the conservation status of every species in the world and identify the region or ecosystem in which each species live.                                                            C.I.T.E.S:                                                                                         Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species         Founded in 1975 under the auspices of U.N.O                                     International Agreement was signed by members of 110 countries  Aim is to regulate trade in endangered species of plants and animals                                                                                                 CITES give protection to 800 highly endangered species of plants and animals by pursuing government to restrict or ban trade in endangered species (dead or alive) or their products such as skin tusk, fur etc.                                                                                     W.W.F:                                                                                             World Wide Fund for Nature                                                             Founded in 1961                                                                             Aim is to raise funds for the conservation of nature and to heighten public awareness of its urgency.                                                         Its headquarter is in Switzerland and there are 25 national organization in five countries with more than 2 million volunteers      In every member country a number of wild life project are guided and financed by WWF                                                                          WWF has also supported in the establishment of 300 National Parks and nature reserves around world                                         I.W.C:                                                                                                 International Whaling Commission                                                 It was established in 1946                                                                 Aim is to try and avoid the extinction of whales as a result of ruthless killing                                                                                     It has 40 members                                                                                  IWC allocates quota of whales that members countries                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The end