The Powder Blue Damselfly typically inhabits shallow, slow-moving, vegetated sections of irrigation ditches, oases and wadis. The main threats to this insect are likely to come from the pollution of its aquatic habitat and the over-extraction of water, both of which are occurring because the human population in the area continues to increase. Climate change may also lead to more frequent and severe droughts in the region, further reducing the habitat available to this species.IUCN
The Powder Blue Damselfly typically inhabits shallow, slow-moving, vegetated sections of irrigation ditches, oases and wadis. The main threats to this insect are likely to come from the pollution of its aquatic habitat and the over-extraction of water, both of which are occurring because the human population in the area continues to increase. Climate change may also lead to more frequent and severe droughts in the region, further reducing the habitat available to this species.IUCNHawksbill Turtles face a variety of threats from the tortoiseshell trade (for jewellery and ornaments), egg collection, destruction of nesting habitat for tourism, harvests to support traditional customs, crossbreeding, and entanglement in, and ingestion of, marine debris. However, their main threat is the loss of coral reef communities which act as their feeding sites. Coral reefs are vulnerable to destruction and degradation caused by pollution or toxic spills and vessel groundings. The vulnerability of coral reefs to climate change (increasing sea surface temperatures causing extensive areas of coral bleaching), has also become increasingly well documented.IUCNThe American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus americanus, is one of the most ‘Critically Endangered’ Species. It is the largest of North America’s carrion beetles and its historical range covered 35 states in the eastern temperate areas of North America. Today there remain only scattered populations in just eight states. Nicrophorus species raise their young on small dead mammals, birds, and reptiles. American Burying Beetles show some of the highest levels of parental care known among insects and require larger and higher-quality carcasses for reproduction than other beetles of the same family. This is a key component to their reproductive success. Reasons for this species’ decline may include habitat loss, fragmentation and alteration. High densities of mammalian scavengers may compete with these beetles for food, and the extinction or drastic reduction of potential carrion species (e.g., the Passenger Pigeon) has probably increased this competition.IUCNThe Kakapo, Strigops habroptila has been decimated by hunting, forest clearance, competition with introduced deer and possums, and heavily predated by introduced mammals such as dogs, cats, stoats and rats. The species is particularly vulnerable to mammalian predators due to its flightlessness, strong scent, ground-nesting behaviour and a habit of freezing when disturbed. The Kakapo’s extremely slow reproductive rate means populations have no capacity to replace themselves in response to such impacts.IUCNThe Black-faced Spoonbill, Platalea minor, is one of the most endangered species . The birds migrate along the east coast of Asia, nesting in summer around the Korean Peninsula and wintering in Taiwan, Province of China, Hong Kong, mainland China, Japan, Macau, and Viet Nam. The main threat to this bird is the destruction and pollution of their wetland habitat. Even though many wetlands are nominally protected, some governments flout their own laws and allow “reclamation” (filling) of wetlands for agriculture or the expansion of cities. Economic development in China has converted many coastal wetlands into aquaculture ponds and industrial estates.IUCNThe Monito del Monte is also known as, Dromiciops gliroides. Although its name means ‘monkey of the mountains’, this small, mouse-like mammal is in fact a nocturnal marsupial, found only in southern and central Chile and adjacent parts of Argentina. This species has often been called a ‘living fossil’ due to it being the only surviving member of an otherwise extinct order, the Microbiotheria. The recent decline in numbers of Monito del Monte is believed to be due to the loss of its already limited habitat. The forests it inhabits are under severe pressure from human activities and development, with many trees being cut for timber and fuelwood, cleared for pine and eucalyptus plantations, or destroyed by urbanisation, road building and hydroelectric projects.IUCNThe Lowland Tapiralso known as Tapirus terrestris. This species occurs through a wide geographic range from north-central Colombia and east of the Andes, throughout most of tropical South America. It occurs mostly in tropical lowland rainforest, but can also be found in seasonally dry habitats such as the Chaco of Bolivia and Paraguay. The Lowland Tapir is threatened with loss of habitat through deforestation, hunting for meat and competition with livestock. Hunting is a serious threat along the numerous new road systems and settlements, and along the agricultural frontier in the Amazon basin. Hunting also occurs around logging camps and can completely eliminate the species from seemingly viable habitat. Lowland Tapirs can be common road kills, particularly as an increasing number of tracks are cut into forests for logging.IUCNThe Pinstripe Damba, Paretroplus menarambo, is one of the endangered species . This striking fish is endemic to the island of Madagascar and was discovered in Lake Sarodrano in 1996. However, it has since been lost from this site because of over-fishing and the invasion of exotic fish species. A remnant population of this fish was recently confirmed to occur in Lake Tseny.IUCNThe Marine Otter or Sea Cat, Lontra felina inhabits exposed shores along the Pacific coast of South America, from northern Peru, along the Chilean coast to Cape Horn and Isla de Los Estados (Argentina), as well as parts of the Strait of Magellan. Habitat destruction, pollution, and poaching are the major threats to Marine Otters in South America. Owing to excessive hunting for its pelt, the species has been nearly exterminated from the northern and southern extremities of its former range. In addition to hunting, Marine Otters may be killed incidentally by fishing activities.IUCNGiant Panda's are an endangered species, and their troubled sex lives are partially to blame.IUCN
Even the most ill-informed among us knows that there are a number of animal and bird species in critical danger of going extinct.
There are several hundreds of species, all across the world, whose very survival has been called into question because of the disastrous impact of human activity on their eco-systems and environments.
One of the primary reasons why this is so is climate change. Although it remains a hotly debated topic and one that has drawn several very critical responses, the fact is that it has had a degree of negative impact on the survival probabilities of different animals, birds and insects.
Check out a list of 10 endangered birds, mammals and insects from across the world... and see if you can do anything to protect them
Information: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
