Threatened Species

We often hear that a lot of species are going extinct, decreasing in number or are a part of the endangered list. Many animals, plants, and fungi are becoming a part of the threatened species due to modern human civilization. Humans are destroying the nature to obtain benefits for themselves. Let’s find out more about threatened species.

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Introduction

Threatened species are species that are endangered or threatened. These species include animals, plants, fishes, fungi, etc. These species are vulnerable to future extinction. Species that are threatened are sometimes characterized by the population dynamics measure of critical depression, a mathematical measure of biomass related to population mass growth.

Some Examples of Threatened Species

The following are a few examples of Threatened Species in India:

Tiger

Tigers are the top predators in the ecosystem. Until the 20th century, the number of tigers was over 1,00,000. But over the years poachers and hunters have been killing tigers for their skin, meat, teeth, bones and other body parts.  Tigerskin is used to make coats, poaching, etc. A lot of its body parts are used to make Chinese medicines. There are less than two thousand Bengal tigers in India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Indian Rhinoceros

Indian Rhinoceros live in swamps in the Indian subcontinent. However, Indian Rhinoceroses are being hunted by hunters for their horn. Their horn holds a high value. Therefore, hunters hunt these animals and sell their horns in exchange for a high amount of money. Now, approximately two hundred animals are left. Indian Rhinoceros’s horns are used as medicine.

Asian Elephant

In the start of the twentieth century, there were over 1,00,000 Asian Elephants in the continent of Asia. But however, the numbers have declined by 50% in the last three generations. Their number is still falling today.  Elephants used to roam across most of Asia, but now they’re restricted to just 15% of their original range. The Indian Elephant has the largest range, whereas the Sri Lankan is restricted to a limited region. Asian Elephants are hunted for their ivory tusks, which leads to a decrease in their number.

Blackbuck

Blackbuck is found throughout the plains of India, except the Western coast.  Due to extensive poaching and habitat loss, blackbuck populations have been reduced drastically. A lot of procedures have been taken to increase the number of blackbucks, efforts like the removal of fences in the academic zone, periodic removal of stray dogs from their habitat area, the closing of open wells and pits etc. Blackbucks require open grasslands with intermittent tall grass or bushes (for delivery, fawn nursing and to seek protection against predators as well as the rain and wind). Human civilization has an adverse effect on the blackbuck.

Question For You

Q. Why are Indian Rhinoceros hunted?

1. Indian Rhinoceros are hunted because they vandalize human property.
2. Indian Rhinoceros are hunted for their horns and for their body parts.
3. They are hunted for fun.
4. They are hunted because they kill another endangered species.

Ans: Indian Rhinoceros are hunted for their horns. They are also used as medicines.