Vulnerable Animals That are Close to Extinction
Raccoons are considered cute by many people due to their distinctive physical appearance, including their masked faces, playful personalities, and playful behaviour. Additionally, raccoons are highly intelligent and curious animals, which makes them entertaining to watch. People are also drawn to the raccoon’s ability to adapt to different environments and their ability to use their front paws to manipulate objects, which gives them a human-like quality. However, it is important to remember that raccoons are wild animals and should not be kept as pets, as they can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets.
Raccoons are not ideal pets for several reasons. Firstly, it is illegal in many places to keep raccoons as pets because they are considered wildlife and have complex needs that cannot be met in a domestic setting. Secondly, raccoons can carry diseases such as rabies, roundworm, and Lyme disease which pose a risk to both humans and other pets in the household. In addition to health risks, raccoons have natural behaviours that can be destructive and aggressive, making them difficult to handle as pets. They have a complex diet that includes a variety of foods such as fruits, nuts, insects, and small animals, and it can be challenging and expensive to provide them with the appropriate diet in captivity. Finally, raccoons require large spaces to roam and climb and need access to water and a place to hide. It is not possible to provide this type of environment in a domestic setting, making it difficult to care for raccoons as pets. Therefore, it is best to avoid keeping raccoons as pets and instead contact a local wildlife rehabilitation centre for assistance.
There are many species of animals that are considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, which means they are at high risk of extinction. The reasons for their vulnerability include habitat loss, overhunting, pollution, and climate change. Here are a few examples of such animals:
African Elephant: The African elephant is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching. The elephant’s habitat has been drastically reduced due to human expansion and the conversion of land for agriculture, which has led to a decline in their population. Additionally, elephants are often hunted for their ivory tusks, which has further contributed to their decline.
Snow Leopard: The snow leopard is an endangered species that is threatened by habitat loss and hunting. Snow leopards are native to the high-altitude areas of Central and South Asia, but their habitat has been shrinking due to human expansion and climate change. Additionally, they are often hunted for their fur, which has further contributed to their decline.
Gorilla: The gorilla is considered critically endangered, with three of the four subspecies facing a high risk of extinction. The primary threats to gorillas are habitat loss and poaching, as well as disease transmission from humans. Gorillas are also hunted for their meat and their young are captured for the illegal pet trade.
Sea Turtles: All species of sea turtles are considered endangered or threatened. Sea turtles face many threats, including habitat loss and degradation, over-exploitation, and plastic pollution. In addition, sea turtles are vulnerable to getting entangled in fishing gear, which can result in death or injury.
Orangutan: The orangutan is considered critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. The orangutan’s natural habitat, the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, has been reduced due to deforestation for agriculture, mining, and other development projects. Additionally, orangutans are often hunted for their meat and young, which has further contributed to their decline.
Asian Elephant: The Asian elephant is considered endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. The elephant’s habitat has been reduced due to human expansion and the conversion of land for agriculture, which has led to a decline in their population. Additionally, elephants are often hunted for their ivory tusks, which has further contributed to their decline.
Bengal Tiger: The Bengal tiger is considered endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. Bengal tigers are native to the forests of South and Southeast Asia, but their habitat has been greatly reduced due to human expansion and deforestation. Additionally, they are often hunted for their fur, which has further contributed to their decline.
In conclusion, there are many species of animals that are considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered and are at high risk of extinction. These animals face many threats, including habitat loss, overhunting, pollution, and climate change, and it is important for us to take action to protect them. Conservation efforts such as habitat restoration, law enforcement to prevent illegal hunting, and public education campaigns can help to conserve these species and ensure their survival.
