EXTINCTION IS FOREVER

Extinction is a natural process. Many species had finished to exist before humans taken involved. However, in the last 400 years, the number of animals and plants becoming extinct has reached crisis point. Human population levels have risen dramatically in the same time period and man's predatoryinstincts combined with his ruthlessconsumption of natural resources are directly responsible for the situation. Some species of plants and animals die out naturally because newer species are more successful at competing for food and living space. Others have become extinct because of changes in the planet or because of natural disasters. Dinosaurs, for example, may have died out because the climate became cooler--maybe because an asteroid collided with the earth and caused a big cloud of dust that blocked out the sun.

In today's world, however, species mostly become extinct or are threatened with extinction because of humans. Humans hunt animals, destroy their habitats, and introduce other animals that prey upon the endangered animals or compete for their resources. Among these factors, the greatest threat to plants and animals is habitatdestruction. It is estimated that about 125 species of birds and 60 species of mammals have become extinct since 1600. Currently, there are about 1000-1100 species of birds and mammals that are facing extinction. If plants are included, the total number of species in danger is around 20,000.The World Wildlife Fund and other organizations are actively involved in many areas of the world fighting to protect the natural habitats of endangered animals from further damage and curb the activities of poachers. They also work to influence governments and policy makers to introduce laws aimed at reducing the threat of pollution and forest destruction. Our own individual efforts at home and in the workplace can also make a difference. By reducing waste and pollution, saving water, wood and energy, and reusing and recycling whenever possible, we can reduce the possibility of even more animals being lost, never to return.