Animals in
Danger
Perhaps the most famous rare animals is the panda. Twenty years ago it was
nearly extinct. Now, its numbers are growing again. It's even become a symbol
for wildlife conservation. But many other species have been less lucky than the
panda. Sonic are already extinct. Today, many more are in serious danger. This
is because man hunts them destroys and pollutes their habitat.
The Main problem Habitat
There is a serious
habitat problem because :
o
After pollution or destruction, habitats take
many years (sometimes hundreds or even thousands) to grow again.
o
Pollution and destruction change the balance
of nature. Each species in a habitat (for example, wood, jungle, marsh or forest)
needs and helps the rest. If one animal, bird or insect disappears, all the
others suffer, too.
This
is what's happening in the rain forests of South America, Africa and Asia . These are some of the world's oldest habitats. Or
they were. Man is destroying an area of rain forest as big as Switzerland
But the
problem doesn't stop there. Habitats and animals are disappearing in
o
50% oft he woods have disappeared.
o
50% of the marshes have disappeared.
o
95% of the meadows have disappeared.
And what has taken the place of these green, natural places? Houses farms, cities, streets, roads and factories. Because of this (and pollution, too) several British species are dying. In fact scientists believe that 30 British animals, fish and birds may become extinct by the year 2000.
o
protecting animals in danger by law
o
opening more national parks
o
building fewer new roads
o
planting more new forests
o
cutting pollution
If
this doesn't happen, many wild animals will soon have just one habitat, the zoo.
The Hunting Problem
Man has always been
a hunter. He still is. But many modern hunters don't just kill for food - they
kill for profit. That's why so many rare and protected animals are still dying.
Hunters like these are called poachers. In 1981 there were 15,000 black rhinos
in Africa . Today, because of illegal hunting,
that number is 4,500.
In the 1970s
there were 1.3 million African elephants. Today, because of poaching, there are
under 85,000.In the I940s, 90% of skins and furs came from wild animals. Today
that number is 15%. That's because most modern skins come from fur farms.Fur Farm Facts:
o
There are more than 2,000 in Scandinavia and
340 in Russia
o
They don't keep rare or protected animals.
o
Fur farmers kill and sell over 34 million mink
every year.
o
Animals in fur farms live in good conditions
and die without pain (the farmers give them an injection).
But
what about the other 15% of furs? Well -these still come from wild animals.
Hunters catch most oh them in traps. These are made of metal and are very
sharp. Most animals caught in traps die very slowly.
The The solution : The fur trade argument.
o
Stop the fur trade.
o
It's wrong to keep wild animals in cages.
o
It's wrong to kill animals for fashion and
profit.
o
It's wrong to kill wild animals in traps.
o
It's wrong to sell the fur of rare, protected
species.
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