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Animal Protection in Japan

03 Oct

Japan Endangered Animals
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provided in its endangered animals list around 370 species of animals found in Japan. The Red List includes two species of Dragonfly, three species of stink bugs, one specie of fly, and four species of butterfly.  It also includes two species of amphibians, the Hokuriku salamander and the Abe’s salamander, and one reptile, the Kikuzato’s brook snake. At present, 47 animal species have become extinct while 303 are included in the endangered animals list. In addition to the register of names, the Red List also compiles information on the threats to the existence of some specie, their ecological actions that can be used to diminish or prevent extinction.

endangered animals

Causes of Endangerment of Animals in Japan
Study shows that the endangerment of animals is man-made. The massive land occupation, destruction of natural habitats deprived these animals of their home. In addition, deforestation, modernization of agriculture, diseases and hunting contributes to the rapid decline of their number. Endangered animals are also victims of poaching; their body parts are sought at high value that led them to be hunted. At present, there are only few remaining wild animals in Japan; the forest is now almost empty with wildlife. In order to further protect their existence, the government designated around 200 species as “natural monuments”. It includes the red-crowned Cranes, Blakiston fish-owls, and the goat-like serows. Although they have been granted special status, the protection of their natural habitats is generally ignored.

The Red List
The fast declining numbers of endangered animals had alarmed the whole world. That is why the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) prepared the Red List of endangered animals. The IUCN was established in 1948 at Gland, Switzerland and works with other institutions for the protection of endangered animals. Right now, the Red List include more than 8,400 endangered animals and classified them by categories based upon the rate of decline, population size, geographic distribution, and degree of population of the endangered animals. The Red List is found to be the most reliable and complete information about the existence of endangered animals and kept updated. However, there are instances where the Red List has been disapproved by some organizations for its secrecy of the sources of the data used. The procedure of generating key information is through the compilation of information of thousands of the world’s leading scientists through peer review process.

 
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What can we do for the Endangered Species?

01 Oct

Protecting endangered species

Egered animals may become extinct eventually if there is no appropriate action undertaken to protect the environment. A specie may be considered endangered if it has a very small population and at greater risk of becoming vanished. It is for this reason that concerned inpiduals or groups and even the government had been conducting activities and programs to implement identified measures to protect endangered animals existence. Research showed that one identifiable factor that contributed in the rapid decline of some animal specie is the destruction of biopersity caused by man. If this irresponsible human behavior will continue, the loss of some plants and animal specie would greatly affect human beings very existence. Our food sources will be depleted, and our future medicine sources may vanish.

Endangered Species

Ways to protect endangered species

The following activities are found to have contributed greatly in the destruction of marine animals. We need to identify these activities so that we can apply appropriate measures to counter the continuing molestations against the environment that would affect our plants and animal species up to the point of extinction:

1. Habitat Conservation. Habitat conservation for wild species is an important issue today affecting the environment, both in the sea and land. It is noted that the increasing global population, increasing land use, unsustainable fishing practices drive wild species to retreat to smaller areas of different environment. Generally, species cannot survive outside of their natural habitat. If their home environment is altered or destroyed, tendency is, they migrate from one place to another and eventually perished along the way. Preserving natural habitats is essential to preserve biopersity and avoid unnecessary animal migration.

2. Runoff and Pollution. The ocean covers two-thirds of the surface of the Earth; however, study revealed that it is vulnerable to human manipulations such as overfishing, pollution, and dumping of wastes. Pollution can kill marine life and may cause damage to marine habitats and ecosystems.

3. Ocean Dumping. Wastes in the ocean sometimes include dredged materials which are about 80% of all wastes materials dumped to the ocean. Other wastes include industrial wastes, sewage sludge, and radioactive waste. Silt and sand accumulate toxins from land runoff, shipping practices, industrial and community wastes, and other sources. When these materials find their way into the ocean, seafood is often contaminated affecting marine life.

There are still other activities which may affect the environment resulting to the destruction or loss of animal habitats, causing the spread of diseases and pollution. Knowledge of these unhealthy practices and applying measures of prevention would somehow contribute to preserving our environment and protecting our endangered species as well.

Reference: Illustrated Encyclopedia of endangered animals.

http://www.konicaminolta.com/kids/endangered_animals/

http://www.konicaminolta.com/kids/endangered_animals/

 
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Posted in Animals