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.
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.