One-fourth of wild mammal species may face extinction
At least 25% of the world's mammal species in the wild are threatened with extinction. This news comes from an international survey released Monday that blames the loss of wildlife habitat as well as hunting and poaching for the steep declines. Times staff writer Ken Weiss reports:
The baiji, or Chinese river dolphin, is teetering on the edge of extinction and may have already joined the list of species that have vanished from Earth. Others are not far behind, such as the vaquita, a small porpoise that has been drowning in fishing nets in the northern part of the Gulf of California; the North Atlantic right whale; and various monkeys and other primates hunted by poachers in Africa.
Scientists have determined that about 25% of the world's 5,487 species of mammals face extinction. The proportion of marine mammals in trouble appears to be higher, with an estimated one-third under serious threat of being wiped out. Many are killed when they are struck by ships or become entangled in fishing gear and drown.
About half the world's remaining species of apes, monkeys and other primates face threats from hunting or deforestation to make way for farming, said Russell A. Mittermeier, president of Conservation International.
For a photo gallery of endangered animals, including the black-footed ferret, above, click here.
Photo: Greg Wood / AFP/Getty Images
The inhuamne Human race is directly responsible for massacring myriad wildlife species and decimating their habitats with the utmost cruelty and irreference. Humanity is violent and the most lethal species on earth.
Posted by: Brien Comerford | October 07, 2008 at 02:18 PM
It is time to create a Cabinet Position for the environment. We have GOT to get serious about these issues!
Posted by: Elizabeth Polidan | October 09, 2008 at 09:19 AM
that picture. . . that's not a black footed ferret. That is a pet ferret.
Posted by: Christina Martinez | March 25, 2009 at 05:22 AM