Endangered Animals: The Decline Of Canadian Mammals

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Mammals have always been an important part of human life; from the loveable Winnie the Pooh they have grown to love, to the cows that they eat for dinner. Roughly, there are about 5000 species of mammals known today, but already 1000 of these species are seriously endangered(Boitani). Mammals have been on the Earth for millions of years, some have been endangered for a while and some only recently. Mammals are disappearing all over the world, including in Canada. The decline of Canadian mammals is the result of habitat destruction, climate change, and human activities. Natural changes in habitats occur at a slow pace and usually cause only a slight impact on species. However, when changes occur at a rapid pace, there is little time for…show more content…
The swift fox had also been the unintentional victim of trapping and poisoning operations aimed at other mammals such as wolves and coyotes. In 2001, there were only a staggering amount of 600 swift foxes left in Canada (Hinterland Who’s Who). The strongest force that is the cause of habitat destruction is human beings. Humans destroy habitats for many different reasons. In industrial countries, they destroy habitats in order to maintain their standard of living. But in developing countries, habitats are destroyed to support an increasing population and to increase financial success. As humans, they tend to care more about their needs and their ability to survive rather than the needs and concerns of the environment and its species. If mammals and their habitats are in the way of their financial success, I am certain that they would not hesitate to remove them from their paths. Habitat destruction is an important issue for many organizations and individuals. A Canadian organization that is incredibly involved in the issues of species at risk in Canada is “Hinterland Who’s Who”. This organization has been educating and…show more content…
Lately, global warming is threatening the entire polar bear population. Scientists warn that the rising temperatures will cause all of the summer sea ice that the bears depend on to vanish by 2040 (Polar bear SOS). Polar bears need that ice as a platform for hunting, travelling, mating, and for giving birth. When their ice melts, their food sources will decline and they will be forced to swim further to distant ice floes. During these journeys, many polar bears either drown or get lost. Scientists predict that if the movement of sea ice continues, many bears will drift off to an unsuitable habitat, making it impossible for them to return or survive. Polar bears are already suffering the horrible effects of global warming: bears are drowning, birth rates are falling, and fewer cubs are surviving. If global warming continues polar bears could become extinct by the end of this century (Polar bear SOS). Global warming is the result of greenhouse gases. The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere leads to the alteration of weather patterns. Because temperature and moisture are essential to the way organisms and ecosystems develop, climate change impacts can be a major threat to mammals. Researchers estimate that global warming has the potential to severely alter 35% of the world’s existing habitats. Climate change may cause species loss as high has 20% in the arctic habitats

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