Today wild species are gradually disappearing and their number is becoming reduced. Many species of wildlife have become extinct or are in verge of extinction. There is no exact data of wildlife that have been extinct in the process of extinction. Scientists estimate that every day 2-200 species become permanently extinct primarily because of human activities. There are various causes of wildlife extinction. Some of them are as follow:
(1) Habitat destruction: The main cause of extinction or decline is their habitat loss. The increased human population cleared the jungle in a rapid way then forest is converted into farmland, roads, industrial areas, human settlements, etc.
(2) Over exploitation of natural resources: Increased human population demands the human resources in large amount, which puts pressure on the natural resources. Over grazing, indiscriminate cutting of forest trees, excessive consumption of firewood and forest products causes the extinction of species.
(3) International trade: The trade of wildlife illegally is one of the most serious causes of species extinction. Animals hide, fur, bones, tusks, orchids, medicinal plants are some important wildlife products in international market.
(4) Illegal hunting and poaching: Illegal hunters, poachers, healers and wood cutters destroy the wildlife for their own benefit that causes the great loss in wildlife resources.
(5) Environmental pollution: Pollution is the undesirable change brought about in the environment. Due to continuous deforestation and pollution, the productive land gets converted to desert. The desert does not support the wildlife.
(1) Habitat destruction: The main cause of extinction or decline is their habitat loss. The increased human population cleared the jungle in a rapid way then forest is converted into farmland, roads, industrial areas, human settlements, etc.
(2) Over exploitation of natural resources: Increased human population demands the human resources in large amount, which puts pressure on the natural resources. Over grazing, indiscriminate cutting of forest trees, excessive consumption of firewood and forest products causes the extinction of species.
(3) International trade: The trade of wildlife illegally is one of the most serious causes of species extinction. Animals hide, fur, bones, tusks, orchids, medicinal plants are some important wildlife products in international market.
(4) Illegal hunting and poaching: Illegal hunters, poachers, healers and wood cutters destroy the wildlife for their own benefit that causes the great loss in wildlife resources.
(5) Environmental pollution: Pollution is the undesirable change brought about in the environment. Due to continuous deforestation and pollution, the productive land gets converted to desert. The desert does not support the wildlife.
(6) Public awareness: It is one of the major factors responsible for wildlife extinction in developing countries. People know very little about the importance of natural resources. The poor and ignorant people try to solve their immediate problems causing serious impact on nature. It is, therefore, important to alleviate poverty and involve the poor and marginalized people in nature conservation.
