At present there are numerous species both animal and plant that are at risk of disappearing.Human pressure on the natural habitats of animals causes serious consequences.
The indiscriminate felling of forests, water pollution and farms, fragment the distribution areas of different species.We make their reproduction difficult isolating communities and diminishing their natural hunting.
In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about endangered mammals .Mammals are the animals that give birth to their young and they breastfeed them.
Red list of endangered mammals
The UINC, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, periodically elaborates the red list of endangered species.This list includes all the animal and plant species that are They are at risk of disappearing worldwide.
With the data in this list we can observe the loss of biodiversity that occurs globally.Mammals are one of the groups that have the most endangered species.The hunting and destruction of their habitats are their main enemies.
There are several categories within the red list:
- Extinct (EX)
- Extinct in the wild (EW)
- Critical danger of extinction (CR)
- Risk of extinction (EN)
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Almost threatened (NT)
- Minor concern (LC)
Mammals of the world
Many species are currently under pressure from humans.The destruction of forests and natural environments, water pollution and soil impoverishment contribute to different species suffering the effects.
In the last decades many species have disappeared.Some examples are the Mexican bear, the Malvinas wolf or the Cape lion.The indiscriminate hunting either by sport or for other purposes I end up in the last century with numerous species.
For this reason it is important to be aware of the effect that human action has on all species of the animal world.
Next we will discuss several mammals in the world that are currently in danger or are vulnerable to extinction.
Mountain gorilla ( Gorilla beringei beringei )
Gorillas are currently divided into two species and these in turn into two subspecies: they are the western gorilla, the eastern gorilla, the western lowland gorilla s and the mountain gorilla.The latter are in critical danger of extinction.
The mountain gorilla has only about 700 specimens distributed mainly in national parks of Central Africa.war and the instability of the region affects them severely.They are victims of poaching and are affected by human diseases.They are very intelligent and social animals, an adult male with several females usually live together.Sometimes several males can live together in the same community.
Sumatra tiger
The sumatra tiger ( Panthera tigris sumatrae) is a tiger in critical danger of extinction that inhabits the island of Sumatra, in the Indonesian archipelago.He is the smallest of the tigers, his fur is darker and with the narrowest lines.He is an excellent swimmer and hunter.The species of Indonesian tigers, the Java tiger and the Bali tiger became extinct in the twentieth century.
At present it is estimated that its population is about 500 specimens, distributed by different reserves and parks both in freedom as in captivity.Unfortunately poaching and fur trade remains a problem for these tigers.Also the fragmentation of their populations and the loss of their natural habitat force them to confine themselves in small areas.
Black rhino
The Black rhino (Diceros bicornis) inhabits the African savanna.It differs from the white rhinoceros in its color and its smaller size.It feeds on shrubs and trees of small size.Its mouth is also different from that of the white rhinoceros, it has the shape of a prehensile beak adapted to its feeding.
Rhinoceroses, and especially the black rhinoceros, have suffered decades ago harassment and pressure of hunters for their horns.Nowadays although it is a protected species and its hunting is prohibited, its number is very low.There may be a couple thousand in the wild.
In addition to poaching, another problem to which they are exposed is the consanguinity .Due to the low number of specimens, crossings tend to occur between related individuals.This causes loss of the genetic diversity and is harmful to this species.
Pygmy hippopotamus
This small hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) lives in marshes and forests It is from Africa.Like the normal hippopotamus, the pygmy is semi-aquatic.It stays close to the water to maintain the moisture of your skin.
While the hippopotamus lives in a group, the pygmy hippopotamus is more solitary, specimens usually live alone or with a partner.They are herbivorous animals and at night they go into the forests in search of food.
It is believed that there are less than 3000 specimens released, although we can also find them in zoos According to the UINC, it is in danger of extinction .The main threat they face is the destruction of their habitat.There were other species of pygmy hippopotamus in the Mediterranean, during the Pleistocene.from Malta or Cyprus for example.
Mammals in Spain
In Spain there are several species that are endangered or threatened with extinction.The black stork or the bearded vulture are birds of the peninsula that are at risk.
As for mammals, we have several animals in danger of extinction.Then we will talk about the three most important mammals of the peninsula; the brown bear, the Iberian lynx and the Iberian wolf.
It is important to protect these species since they are the largest and most representative mammals of the peninsula.
Iberian lynx
The Iberian lynx (Linx pardinus ) is the sign of our land.It is one of the most endangered felines on earth and one of the most beautiful.It is currently present in freedom in Donana, Sierra Morena and mountains of Toledo.Anciently and even in the decade of the 1980s its distribution was much greater.According to the UINC, it is in danger of extinction.
It is a feline cat, its ears end in a brush with black hairs, which gives them their characteristic appearance.It is a small-sized feline, the adult male can weigh about 12kg.Nowadays it is estimated that its number is less than 300 specimens released despite protection and conservation plans.
The lynxes face several problems:
- Atropellos.
- Destruction of their habitat.
- Isolation of communities by human action.
- Lack of prey.
- Hunting of specimens by humans.
The lynx feeding is closely related to the population of rabbits, so their descent greatly influences them.
Brown bear
The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is present in the Pyrenees and the Cantabrica mountain range.In both places there are two populations that do not usually come into contact.It is difficult to determine the number of brown bears that exist on the peninsula.It is estimated that their current number is approximately 200-250 bears in the wild.
It is the largest animal in the entire peninsula and yet they are small compared to n other bears.It is in a state of minor concern since it is present in other regions of Europe, however its number in Spain is so low, that its conservation should be worked to prevent it from disappearing from the peninsula.
The Feeding of this bears depends on fruits and young shoots, small animals and fish.Throughout the year it undergoes significant weight variations depending on the availability of food and lethargy times.
The construction of stations of skiing, mining and the destruction of forests in general, is the main threat of the brown bear.
Iberian wolf
The Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) was formerly distributed throughout the Iberian Peninsula.Currently, its presence is divided into two populations: north of the Duero and south of the Duero.The population of the south is much smaller and is isolated from the other by human action.It is estimated that its total population is approximately 2000 copies.
The Iberian wolf is listed as a vulnerable species in the red book, however its hunting is allowed It gives in the north of Spain.The population of the south of the Duero although protected at the moment runs the risk of changing its protection status due to the requests to Europe so that its hunting is legal.
Between the years 1950 and 1970 the wolf was indiscriminately hunted, eliminating it from many regions of the country.For this reason it is important that conservation plans be carried out and that the protection of the wolf be a real event both south and north of the Duero.
The main problems facing the Iberian wolf are hunting, poisoning, fragmentation of its habitat and human pressure on both the wolf and the species it feeds on.
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