Question

Why are many species of animals and birds getting extinct?

Answer 1

The word extinction refers to the termination of a particular type of organism or a group of types, which is usually known as species. Extinction is considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the ability to breed or to recover might have been lost much before this point in time.

Complete answer:
The species become extinct for 3 main reasons given below :
1. Habitat loss:
- The degradation of various habitats by pollution is a threat to the survival of many species. Pollution may reduce with the passage of time and this eliminates populations of sensitive species.
- Large habitats are broken because of the various human activities which include human settlements, industrialisation, digging of canals etc.
- Animals which require large territories (e.g. mammals, birds) and some of the animals with migrating habitats declined.

2. Over-exploitation:
- Overexploitation is another major cause of extinction. Due to the over-exploitation of a particular kind of species, the biological system also reduces the size of its population so that it becomes vulnerable to extinction.
- As an example, marine fishes are likely to become extinct as marine fish populations are being overharvested.

3. Genetic variations:
- Genetic variations occur naturally or even by various human activities among individuals of the species and it allows adaptation of the change with respect to the environment.
- Low genetic variation results in an increase in the change of extinction.
- As an example, overhunting leads to the reduction of the population of breeding pairs which are fewer in number.

Note: The various ways by which we can prevent extinction of animals are:
- Poaching of animals should be banned by the government.
- Deforestation must also be banned.
- Wildlife habitats should also be protected.
- More national parks, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries must be constructed.