Earth Day Endangered Animals Poster Project

Throughout the history of the Earth, scientists believe there have been a number of mass extinction events. One example of this would be the extinction of the dinosaurs. Some scientists believe we are currently experiencing another mass extinction event.

905 Species have gone extinct since the year 1500. This only includes the species that we have identified.

Scientists estimate that 150-200 species of plant, insect, bird and mammal become extinct every 24 hours.

Extinction on this level has not been seen since the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Before an organism becomes extinct, it is endangered.

An endangered species is one whose numbers are so small that it is at risk of extinction.A species is “endangered” or “threatened” when it is suffers: damage to its habitat; disease or predation of the species; and hazards to the continued life of the species.Factors that threaten creature on Earth include deforestation, water scarcity, erosion, pollution, climate change, overfishing, oil and gas development, infrastructure, and illegal wildlife trade.

What does it mean to be endangered?

You can easily remember the main reasons why species become endangered by thinking about HIPPO!

Habitat destructionInvasive speciesPollutionPoachingOverharvesting/overpopulationScientists are now considering adding C to HIPPO for climate change.

HabitiaHabitat DestructionHumans clear cut forests to create things like housing developments, golf courses, and farms. This destroys habitats that may take hundreds of years to develop.

Cutting roads through a forest creates forest edges where there shouldn’t be . This allows certain species to outcompete others. An example of this phenomenon is the Brown-headed cow bird.

Invasive SpeciesWhen a species is brought by humans to an area which it does not belong, it can cause massive destruction to that environment.

An invasive species may have no natural predators and may have many food sources with little competition.

Kudzu is a plant from Japan introduced to North America. It is an invasive species that has no natural predators and can outcompete other plants. It spreads at a rate of 150,000 acres per year.

PollutionPollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that causes instability, disorder, harm, or discomfort to the ecosystem.

Pollution represents a drastic change in the environment that organisms have adapted to. It may cause the death of a number of species that can’t survive under these new conditions.

Types of pollution

Air pollutionLight pollutionLitteringNoise pollutionRadioactive contaminationWater pollutionThermal pollution

PoachingPoaching involves hunting and killing endangered species, using illegal weapons or vehicles, or using inhumane methods.

Often these animals are killed for profit. Examples of this are ivory from elephants, horns from rhinos, or skins from leopards. Some groups also kill endangered species as a cultural ritual.

Plant poaching is also on the rise. Ginseng poaching in Yosemite national park is common.

Overpopulation

• Every 20 minutes, the human population grows by about 3,000.

• If fertility remains at current levels, the population will reach 296 billion in just 150 years.

• Each year 83 million babies are born.

• There are over 7 billion people on Earth. In another 50 years, that number is expected to double.

The increasing human population is a global concern. Humans are a species that spreads all over the world, continually increases in number, and consumes more resources per individual than any other organism.

OverconsumptionThe world's annual consumption of plastic materials is nearly 100 million tonnes today.

Between the years 2000 and 2005 around 10 million acres of forests were lost per year in South America. The land is cleared primarily for cattle ranches and soybean plantations.

The average 10 minute shower uses anywhere from 20 to 40 gallons of water.

Humans consume resources at a astounding rate. Creating mountains of garbage, using gallons of water, and draining fossil fuels (a resource that would take millions of years to replace).

One American's consumption of resources is equivalent to that of 35 people living in India.

OverfishingMore fish are caught each year than are born. This is causing a depletion of fish species. Methods used in modern fishing an also cause the unintended death of many other sea animals

The Food and Agriculture Organization, an international body affiliated with the UN, has estimated that over 70 percent of the world’s fish species are either depleted or “fully-exploited.”

The name of your animal Why is it endangered Where it lives What is being done to

save it A conservation message

Assignment: Create a poster for an endangered animal that includes:

Step 1. Find out: What causes an animal to become endangered.

STEP 2: Learn about a specific endangered species.

Step 3: Present the information

Step 4: Take Action!

You might feel overwhelmed that you can’t do anything to help. A major way to help endangered animals is to spread awareness. Students can take part in this by making posters and hanging them in school hallways, the public library, or even hanging in their rooms to show their friends—sharing what they’ve learned with everyone who walks by!