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For Kids - Do You Know?

Endangered Species

Many species have already vanished and will never be seen again. More are threatened by man's activities, needless slaughter and destruction of natural habitats. Zoos are dedicated to the preservation of all endangered species.

KNOW THE TERMS
VULNERABLE -- A species at risk due to restricted habitat or declining population. Exact population not known.

THREATENED -- Not in immediate danger of extinction, but is facing serious problems. Numbers are declining and it needs protection.

ENDANGERED -- Numbers are so low it is in immediate danger of becoming extinct. It needs protection in order to survive.

EXTINCT -- No longer in existence.

WHY SAVE ENDANGERED SPECIES?
  1. Plants and animals are responsible for a variety of useful medicines. The rainforest holds undiscovered cures for diseases.

  2. Humans depend upon only 20 of 80,000 species of edible plants to provide 90% of the world's food. The wild relatives of these common crops provide humans with the means to develop new crops that are drought and disease resistant.

  3. Plant and animal species are the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. Humans depend on ecosystems to purify air, clean their water, and supply them with food. When species become endangered, it is an indicator that these vital ecosystems are beginning to unravel.

  4. Losing one plant species can trigger the loss of up to 30 other insect, plant and higher animal species.

  5. The decline of a species (such as fish) can threaten a multi-million dollar tourism industry which depends on healthy ecosystems and environments.

  6. Various wild species are commercially raised, directly contributing to local and regional economies. They provide jobs, personal income, and contribute to native culture of the area.

  7. Plant and animal species and their ecosystems for the basis of America's multi-billion dollar, job-intensive tourism industry. They also supply recreational, spiritual, and "quality of life" values as well.

  8. Our quality of life and that of future generations depends on our preservation of plant and animal species.

  9. Each day about 100 species become extinct.

  10. Most extinction is due to man's actions and not natural causes.