Life Q

What is an endangered animal? Last May 20 was the Endangered Species Day in America, and it was a day to commemorate and answer the question, “What is an endangered animal, and how can we do our part?”

Several ways private citizens can actively participate in the plight of these animals who are threatened mainly by human disregard for their significance to the world. Have you ever seen an animal trapped in a box, or being killed for its body parts? Would it matter to you that hundreds of endangered animals are being captured and shipped to places where they have very little chance of survival? Does anyone care that rare species are being hunted down and killed for food as a delicacy?

Protecting America’s endangered animals is just as important as taking care of your dog or cat. Otherwise, in a decade or less, many of these animals will cease to exist. To do your part, here are some of the suggestions. Start being active even if the Endangered Species Day has come and gone. The animals need us.

Find Out Your Area’s Endangered Animal

Search for information about any endangered animal living in your state. Learn as much as you can about how this animal has been threatened, and what you can do personally to reverse the trend. It could be something as easy as donating to the local wildlife organization, or being a volunteer.

Be vocal about your concern for endangered animals. Don’t be embarrassed to fight for this cause by posting on your Facebook or Twitter accounts. You can even support fundraising programs of wildlife organizations by buying their greeting cards and any other items like mugs, caps, or t-shirts.

Sign the Endangered Species Act Legacy Pledge. If your city has yet to pass an endangered species resolution protecting the animals in your district, take it upon yourself to ask authorities to consider having one.

Next year, the Endangered Species Day will come around, and you could start planning ways to participate like joining the art contest, and having your community pitch in with special events.

It’s a dark, business world when people resort to trafficking the endangered animal for profit. In Brazil, the most popular endangered animal is the bird. The reason for its popularity as a money-maker is the bird pet market, which is a million dollar industry, and the more exotic the bird is, the more money you can make – illegally.

Brazilian authorities and concerned citizens are doing all they can to stop the trade. The drop in bird population will not only mean possible extinction, but also turns into a threat to the fauna in their jungles. It will affect lives because the jungles or virgin forests are part of what keeps biodiversity thriving and maintains the ecological balance.

Just this 31st of March 2011, the largest arrest on animal traffickers was reported in Mexico. Confiscated were 762 parrots and other bird species, and a unbelievable 67 reptiles. There were also wild boards, puma cubs, and white-tailed deer.

The sad part about illegal trafficking of endangered animals is that many of these animals die during transit. They have to suffer through cramped cages, if cages are even used. Often, they are just put in sealed boxes with a few air holes for ventilation. There was even one incident when a Mexican was arrested, having been caught with 18 baby endangered monkeys from Peru stuffed inside his socks. The socks were strapped around his waist.

Just this May 2011, a man with a United Arab Emirates passport was arrested in Bangkok. He was attempting to bring out endangered animals like two monkeys, one baby bear,  two panthers, and two leopards.

Animal trafficking is a serious problem, and people will go to great lengths to find the animals with the highest price tag on its head to make money. They have no respect for the law, nor do they care about the fate of the animals. To them, it’s just business. Nothing personal.

Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.