Table of Contents
Why Protect Rare Animal Species
Biodiversity is essential for the survival of the planet’s ecosystems, and rare animal species play a vital role in this regard. These species might represent unique genetic lineages that are essential for maintaining healthy, functioning ecosystems. Therefore, it is crucial to protect these species to ensure their survival.
One example of a rare animal species that requires conservation is the pangolin. This animal, native to Africa and Asia, is the most trafficked mammal worldwide. The mammal is prized for its meat and scales, which are traditional ingredients in Chinese medicine. The black market for pangolin products has driven the species to near extinction; thus, safeguarding them has become a priority.
The protection of rare animal species is not only important from an ethical standpoint but also provides a substantial benefit to humans. For example, the saola is a rare animal species that is a keystone species in its habitat. The saola is a small deer-like animal that inhabits Vietnam and Laos. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of the surrounding area. Without the saola, the ecosystem’s soil quality, flora, and fauna will undergo significant adverse changes, leading to consequences like loss of water and soil quality, decreased crop production, and overall economic damage.
In addition to the saola, vaquitas, a small porpoise found in the Gulf of California, have an essential role in maintaining the food chain. Protecting vaquitas, thus, would have an immense impact not only on this small mammal’s existence but also on the survival of other aquatic species and subsequently affect aquatic habitats.
The importance of preserving rare animal species can also be seen in the red panda. These pandas are found in the Himalayas and can be considered the gardeners of the forest. Indeed, their diet of bamboo leaves and young bamboo stems helps to control the spread of invasive species, thereby increasing the variety of plants a region can sustain.
Another species that requires protection is the sea turtle. Sea turtles help to control seagrass beds and reef health maintenance. In addition, they control the jellyfish populations, and their eggs and meat are a food source for many coastal communities. Without sea turtles, the ecosystem’s balance may be thrown off, leading to a catastrophic chain reaction.
Pangolins
Pangolins are scaly anteaters that are found in Africa and Asia. They are notably the most trafficked mammal globally, and their population has immensely declined because of poaching. Their scales and meat are highly priced in the black market, with traditional Chinese medicine being the primary consumer of pangolin scales.
One of the species of pangolin is the Chinese pangolin, which has suffered the hardest hit of all the pangolin species. It is estimated the numbers of Chinese pangolins have reduced by 80% over the past two decades. The Sunda pangolin, found in Southeast Asia, is also at an extremely high risk of extinction, with its numbers being reduced by more than 50% in the past 21 years.
To protect pangolins, researchers have come up with ways to track them. For instance, camera traps are set up to observe their movements and habitats; this helps determine which areas require more attention and resources for conservation. In addition, non-governmental organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and WildAid have been campaigning for pangolin protection. Creating awareness among people, particularly those who play a role in demanding pangolin products, is a significant strategy in protecting these species.
Besides the efforts by conservationists, Pangolins are also under congressional scrutiny in several countries. Hong Kong, for example, is one of the largest markets dealing with illegal pangolin trade. The Hong Kong ban on ivory trade has also resulted in the rise of the pangolin black market, which has made it incredibly difficult to enforce significant actions against trading pangolins. Thus, pangolin protection deserves global attention and international legislative intervention.
Saola
The Saola, also known as the “Asian Unicorn,” is a rare animal species found only in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and Laos. The Saola’s name derives from its two parallel horns, which can grow up to 50cm long in males.
Despite their uniqueness, Saola populations are declining rapidly. It’s estimated that there are less than 100 Saolas left in the wild, making them one of the rarest species on the planet. Habitat loss, hunting, and trafficking lead to their population decline, having a disastrous effect on delicate and complex habitats in which they live.
Efforts are being made to preserve the dwindling Saola numbers. The most significant challenge is understanding their behavior and ecology, which is challenging since so little is known about them. Scientists can track them with GPS collars to monitor their movements and protect them from poaching. In addition, non-governmental organizations such as the Saola Working Group operates under the IUCN Species Survival Commission, focusing solely on Saola conservation and raising awareness in the local community about the value of these animals.
Conservation of the Saola is essential to preserving and protecting the biodiversity of Asia. Besides, protecting the Saola goes hand in hand with preserving the cultural and natural heritage of the region. Local communities and government officials must collaborate to ensure that these rare animal species are protected. For instance, creating buffer zones around areas where the Saola live and restoring habitats in which they thrive would help conserve these animals.
Vaquita
The vaquita, also known as the “panda of the sea,” is the world’s rarest marine mammal, with fewer than 30 individuals remaining. These small porpoises are only found in the Gulf of California in Mexico, and their population has been declining dramatically due to illegal fishing practices.
The vaquitas get trapped in fishing nets used to catch shrimp and other fish, leading to their accidental death. Efforts to protect the vaquita have been challenging due to their elusive behavior and because of the fishing industry’s economic reliance on gillnets.
To combat vaquita population decline, the Mexican government established a gillnet ban in the waters of the Gulf of California in 2017. The temporary ban was extended to 2024, and the government provided a loan program to help local fishermen switch to more sustainable fishing methods. In addition, the Mexican Navy has been patrolling the area to enforce the ban on illegal fishing.
Non-governmental organizations such as the WWF, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, and the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita (CIRVA) are heavily involved in vaquita conservation efforts. They are working to remove gillnets from the vaquita habitat and educating local communities on the importance of vaquita conservation.
The vaquita is a crucial species for the Gulf of California’s ecosystem. It is an indicator of the Gulf’s overall health and is a keystone species in the region’s food chain. Therefore, protecting the vaquita can also contribute to protecting other aquatic species.
Red Panda
The red panda, also known as the “firefox,” is a small mammal species found in the Himalayas. These animals are often mistaken for giant pandas or raccoons despite having no relationship with either. Red pandas are arboreal, meaning that they spend most of their lives in trees. Their diet consists of bamboo leaves and young bamboo stems, but they also eat fruits, insects, and eggs.
Red Panda populations are under threat due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and climate change. In addition, increasing human activities in red panda habitats, such as logging and agriculture, affect the animals’ food sources, shelter, and breeding grounds.
Several conservation efforts have been put in place to protect the red pandas. The Red Panda Network is a non-profit organization working to protect red panda populations and habitats, empowering local communities and engaging them in red panda conservation. They achieve this by creating conservation programs and activities such as developing protected areas and reforestation of degraded areas.
To combat the threat of poaching, the government of Nepal has incorporated the red panda as a protected species. Similarly, the Forest Department of Bhutan has developed a management plan to protect and monitor red panda populations. Adventure tourism in Bhutan allows tourists to see red pandas in the wild, offering an excellent opportunity to directly engage communities in conservation and connect them with the environment.
The red panda’s conservation is vital not only for protecting these rare animal species but also for maintaining biodiversity, ecosystems, and overall human survival. Protecting these iconic mammals ensures that the forests and the ecosystem they inhabit will last for years to come.
Sea Turtles
Sea turtles are a group of marine reptiles found in all the world’s oceans except the polar regions. They play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems by controlling seagrass beds, which provide shelter and nursery grounds for various marine species, including young fishes and crustaceans. Moreover, they help maintain the balance of jellyfish populations, which is crucial for the health of the marine food chain.
Six of the seven species of sea turtles are endangered, especially the leatherback turtle, Kemp’s ridley turtle, and the hawksbill turtle. The main factors contributing to their decline are habitat loss and degradation, poaching, bycatch, and plastic pollution.
To protect sea turtles, various conservation measures have been put in place. One widely known strategy is the protection of sea turtle nesting sites from human activities. Governments have also developed programs to create and monitor marine protected areas, which allows for the preservation of the sea turtles’ habitats and ecosystems.
Another vital strategy for sea turtle conservation is to reduce bycatch. Bycatch refers to the unintentional capture of marine species, including sea turtles, by commercial fishing activities. Governments and conservation organizations are working with commercial fishing industries to develop fishing techniques that minimize sea turtle bycatch. These strategies involve modifying fishing gear and changing fishing practices and areas to avoid sea turtle hotspots.
In addition, some non-governmental organizations advocate and implement plastic pollution reduction measures such as beach cleanup campaigns, recycling, and single-use plastic bans. These measures aim to protect marine species like sea turtles that are susceptible to plastic pollution.
In conclusion, sea turtle populations are critical for maintaining marine biodiversity, food chains, and ecosystems. Protecting sea turtles ensures the ecological balance of marine environments, which in turn supports critical economic, cultural, and social outcomes. Governments, conservation organizations, and communities have roles to play in the conservation of sea turtles through implementing conservation strategies, advocacy, enforcement, and monitoring.