{"id":1136,"date":"2020-12-30T07:52:59","date_gmt":"2020-12-30T07:52:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=1136"},"modified":"2024-02-18T15:59:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-18T15:59:22","slug":"endangered-species-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/endangered-species-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"46 Crucial Endangered Species Statistics (2024 UPDATE)"},"content":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s human nature to change the environment. We adapt to it, and we make it adapt to us. However, endangered species statistics reveal this modification of our surroundings comes with serious repercussions.<\/span><\/p>\n The statistics we\u2019re about to show you are frightening. But, let\u2019s take a look at some highlights first:<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that the number of endangered species is rising. But, the evidence we\u2019ve gathered is damning. Statistics below go into detail on the state of threatened and extinct species and why this is happening.<\/span><\/p>\n Humans are the main reason the extinction rates are so rapid. But how many extinctions happen every year? Are the governments doing something about it? Can we protect the endangered species?<\/span><\/p>\n Keep reading to find the answers to all your questions about the endangered species.<\/span><\/p>\n (The UN)<\/span><\/p>\n The animal extinction facts are looking grim. And a report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) confirms it.<\/span><\/p>\n This landmark report states that nature is, on a global level, declining at an unprecedented rate.<\/span><\/p>\n (IUCN)<\/span><\/p>\n According to the endangered species statistics from 2020, almost a third of the Red List species are at risk of extinction.<\/span><\/p>\n While the 2019 update does further cement how great a crisis we are facing, it also has a tinge of hope. The 2019 updates note that 10 species are recovering.<\/span><\/p>\n (NRDC)<\/span><\/p>\n Every animal, plant, and fungus is part of a broader ecosystem. Therefore, losing or saving any species will lead to a powerful ripple effect.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the crucial endangered species facts is the reintroduction of grey wolves in Yellowstone Park. The packs kept elk populations under control. This allowed willow and aspen trees, elks’ primary food, to recover.<\/span><\/p>\n Then, the leaves and branches of these same trees cooled down the streams in Yellowstone. This boosted trout and beaver populations and led to better habitats for otters, ducks, mink, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n (IUCN Red List)<\/span><\/p>\n The IUCN\u2019s Red List is the most extensive inventory for the conservation status of different species. It includes both flora and fauna.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the endangered species list from 2020, 26% of all assessed mammals are in danger of extinction.<\/span><\/p>\n (WWF)<\/span><\/p>\n There are about 2 million different species on Earth. The data suggests the growing number of endangered species by year is nothing to scoff at.<\/span><\/p>\n It shows that between 0.01\u20130.1% of all species are lost every year \u2014 about 200 to 2,000 extinctions every year.<\/span><\/p>\n (WWF)<\/span><\/p>\n We can find out a lot about the natural extinction facts by using the background extinction rate. This rate represents the natural extinction rate of the world\u2019s biological species.<\/span><\/p>\n Today, we are losing species at a rate between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than the natural rate.<\/span><\/p>\n (NPR)<\/span><\/p>\n One of the more disputed facts about the extinction of species is that we can save animals by eating them.<\/span><\/p>\n The Red Wattle pig and the Randall Lineback cow are outstanding examples. These two species couldn\u2019t have been revived without the help of food ranchers.<\/span><\/p>\n (OECD)<\/span><\/p>\n How can we stop animal extinction? One of the ways is to conserve biodiversity.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the 2019 G7 summit revealed that conserving global diversity costs a lot. However, their predictions also show that not taking action can cost even more.<\/span><\/p>\n Failing to\u00a0<\/span>lower greenhouse gas emissions<\/span><\/a> results in fewer cold-water recreational fishing days in the US. This could cause a $1.7\u2013$3.1billion loss a year by 2090.<\/span><\/p>\n Similarly, by 2100, climate change could cause a $140 billion loss a year in recreational benefits associated with coral reefs.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, by 2099, ocean acidification could reduce shellfish harvest, resulting in a $230 million loss.<\/span><\/p>\n While these conservation and endangered animal facts might seem daunting when it comes to money, you can\u2019t put a price on saving the world.<\/span><\/p>\n (ThoughtCo)<\/span><\/p>\n Everybody knows about the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. However, one of the lesser-known facts about extinction is that there were five mass events:<\/span><\/p>\n (NRDC)<\/span><\/p>\n The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects species threatened by extinction. However, congress regularly introduces bills that may undermine the act.<\/span><\/p>\n The NRDC claims that bills such as the “Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act” place short-term economic gain before long-term conservation work.<\/span><\/p>\n (LiveScience)<\/span><\/p>\n According to a study, plants are disappearing at 500 times their natural rate. The facts and stats gleaned from this paper show that, since 1900, about three plant species have gone extinct every year.<\/span><\/p>\n (LiveScience)<\/span><\/p>\n The world lost 571 species in the previous two-and-a-half centuries. Facts about endangered species show that animals are disappearing at twice the rate. But this shouldn\u2019t make the high plant extinction rate any less troubling.<\/span><\/p>\n (Science News)<\/span><\/p>\n One of the greatest threats to animal and plant conservation is habitat loss. Oceans are one of the largest habitats since they cover 71% of the entire Earth\u2019s surface. However, they are greatly affected by human activity.<\/span><\/p>\n Endangered species numbers are rising because of\u00a0<\/span>the vast damage humans are doing to the ocean<\/a><\/span>. Namely, we have altered 66% of the ocean surface.<\/span><\/p>\n (Humane Society International)<\/span><\/p>\n Trophy hunting is sadly still a severe issue. People pay large amounts of money to kill animals for bragging rights and have a nice souvenir from Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n But this type of hunting harms conservation efforts severely and damages the already endangered animal populations. Sadly, endangered animal facts reveal that hunters kill more than 200,000 endangered species for trophies every year.<\/span><\/p>\n (National Geographic)<\/span><\/p>\n A recent study revealed that the risk of catching Covid-19 is exceptionally high in some endangered primates.<\/span><\/p>\n The western lowland gorilla, northern white-cheeked gibbon, and the Sumatran orangutan are especially at risk due to their genetic similarity to humans.<\/span><\/p>\n Sure, people are the main reason for bringing certain species to the brink of existence.<\/span><\/p>\n Keep scrolling to discover what species are endangered the most.<\/span><\/p>\n (AWI)<\/span><\/p>\n One of the more depressing endangered species statistics is that\u00a0<\/span>African elephant populations have plummeted<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n During the 1970s and the 1980s, African elephant numbers dropped from 1.3 million to 600,000 because people hunted them for their tusks and sport.<\/span><\/p>\n (The Conversation)<\/span><\/p>\n The Thylacine, known as the Tasmanian tiger, has been officially extinct since 1936. The core causes included the competition for prey against cats and dogs brought by Australian settlers and planned government eradication.<\/span><\/p>\n Tasmanian tiger extinction facts show that the Australian government paid out over 2,000 bounties around the beginning of the 20th century.<\/span><\/p>\n (Gorillas World)<\/span><\/p>\n Gorilla extinction facts show that many compounding causes are leading to their extinction. Habitat loss and poaching are among the common causes of animal extinction.<\/span><\/p>\n However, many people don’t consider armed conflicts between countries where gorillas live and diseases transmitted by people.<\/span><\/p>\n (DW, Smithsonian Magazine)<\/span><\/p>\n The Tasmanian devil is slowly disappearing. Scientists detected a contagious type of cancer in 1996 that severely damaged the numbers of these marsupials.<\/span><\/p>\n Tasmanian devil extinction facts show that 90% of their population has been lost in the last two-and-a-half decades.<\/span><\/p>\n (Discover Wildlife)<\/span><\/p>\n The dodo is as renowned for its comical appearances as it\u2019s famous for its extinction.<\/span><\/p>\n But, when did the dodo go extinct? Dodo birds disappeared somewhere between 1662 and 1690. The reason? The Dutch sailors brought invasive species that eradicated the birds.<\/span><\/p>\n (WWF)<\/span><\/p>\n At least there is some potentially good news about the tigers. Tiger populations have finally started to increase in areas where they have been dropping for over a hundred years.<\/span><\/p>\n Tiger extinction facts and statistics are still pretty grim. There are not even 4,000 tigers alive today. However, the small tick upwards reported by the World Wildlife Fund might serve as a glimmer of hope.<\/span><\/p>\n (USA Today)<\/span><\/p>\n The red Wolf is one of the most endangered species, and statistics show it might go extinct by 2026. The US Fish and Wildlife Service claims that only a few dozen red wolves are left in the wild right now.<\/span><\/p>\n (NRDC)<\/span><\/p>\n The Endangered Species Act, made to protect threatened animals, was set up because of the bald eagle.<\/span><\/p>\n In 1966, America was very concerned about its national bird. Animal extinction facts show the bald eagle began dying out due to <\/span>habitat loss from wildfires<\/span><\/a>, deforestation, urbanization, hunting, and pesticides.<\/span><\/p>\n (WWF)<\/span><\/p>\n Polar bear extinction facts show that climate change is not the only threat they face. The oil and gas industry is focusing its sights on the arctic. This can lead to severe habitat destruction, the occurrence of oil spills, and pesticide spreading.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat are the Top Animal Extinction Facts and Statistics?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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What is Causing Animal Extinction?<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. IPBES Report claims natural decline is \u201cunprecedented.\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. The IUCN Red List recently included 30,178 species that are threatened with extinction.<\/b><\/h3>\n
3. Saving one species saves many more.<\/b><\/h3>\n
4. One-quarter of all assessed species of mammals are in danger.<\/b><\/h3>\n
5. There are between 200 and 2,000 extinctions every year.<\/b><\/h3>\n
6. The current rate of extinction is 1,000 to 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate.<\/b><\/h3>\n
7. Some animals might go extinct because nobody eats them.<\/b><\/h3>\n
8. Not conserving global biodiversity could cost us billions.<\/b><\/h3>\n
9. There have been five big mass extinctions in geologic history.<\/b><\/h3>\n
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10. Congress is trying to weaken the Endangered Species Act, facts reveal.<\/b><\/h3>\n
11. Plants are going extinct almost 500 times the natural rate.<\/b><\/h3>\n
12. In the previous 250 years, 571 species have been confirmed extinct.<\/b><\/h3>\n
13. Human behavior has changed roughly 66% of the ocean surface.<\/b><\/h3>\n
14. Hunters kill over 200,000 animals for trophies every year.<\/b><\/h3>\n
15. Due to their genetic similarity to humans, some primates are vulnerable to Covid-19.<\/b><\/h3>\n
The Most Endangered Animal Species<\/b><\/h2>\n
16. African elephant numbers halved in the two decades between the 70s and the 80s.<\/b><\/h3>\n
17. Competition for prey by invasive species and planned federal eradication are the main reasons for the Tasmanian tiger’s extinction.<\/b><\/h3>\n
18. Armed conflicts and disease are significant and lesser-known factors endangering gorillas.<\/b><\/h3>\n
19. A contagious type of cancer has killed 90% of the already weakened Tasmanian devil population.<\/b><\/h3>\n
20. The dodo bird went extinct in 1690.<\/b><\/h3>\n
21. There are 3,900 tigers in the entire world.<\/b><\/h3>\n
22. Red wolves could go extinct by 2026.<\/b><\/h3>\n
23. The bald eagle has inspired the Endangered Species Act.<\/b><\/h3>\n
24. Polar bears are threatened by more than just climate change.<\/b><\/h3>\n
25. Pandas are facing unexpected threats to their survival.<\/b><\/h3>\n