Extinction: Nature-driven, or a gift from mankind?

Be it the Nandankanan zoological park for white tigers in Orissa or the lions sanctuary at Gir in Gujarat, the Giant Panda park in China or the Turkey park in Guatemala, all of them have the same objective - to protect wildlife that is facing extinction.

Animals start reducing in numbers due to environmental reasons, or due to risks of commercialisation by mankind, as animals are hunted and killed for their meat, skin, teeth and claws.

Although there are many species that are listed in red as endangered and legal systems around the world prevent the harming, killing and hunting of these animals, there are many more species that are on the verge of extinction without getting any public attention.

Although lots of species have already gone extinct in the past, none have occurred as rapidly as today, or have been so much the result of the actions of mankind.

The extinction rate of today may be 1,000 to 10,000 times the biologically normal extinction rate of 1-10 species going extinct per year.

Global climate change may certainly have had its share in bringing about extinction.

One of the leading theories for the demise of several mammals - which includes such wild beasts as giant sloths, mammoths, oversized cats and jumbo-sized horses and rhinos - is that habitat fragmentation, caused by global climate change, splits species into small populations and makes them more vulnerable to extinction.

The popular film series "Ice Age" throws some light on the shifting ice glaciers and the dangers faced by these mammals. 
The depletion of the rainforests points to some worrying facts.

The earth is losing its greatest biological treasures. Rainforests once covered 14% of the earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6%, and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests will be consumed in less than 40 years. 

One and a half acres of rainforests are lost every second. 

Rainforests are being destroyed by short-sighted governments, timber merchants and land owners because of the value of their timber.

The consequence of this may be that nearly half of the world's species of plants, animals and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened.

Besides animals, certain human groups living in small tribes also face the threat of extinction, due to randomly occurring changes in weather such as natural disasters - fire, flood or drought. 

In small populations confined to a small area, a single drought, bad winter, or fire can eliminate the whole group.

Once a population's size falls below a critical number, the social structure of a species may no longer function.

For example, among widely dispersed species such as large cats, finding a mate may be impossible, making it difficult for the species to continue.

Many insect species use chemical odours to communicate and attract mates.

As population numbers fall, there is less probability that an individual's chemical message will reach a potential mate, therefore reducing reproduction, leading to extinction.

Controlling extinction is like fighting in all directions. 

Organisations like REDD — Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation are employed by conservation organisations and governments in developing countries with the intent of conserving forests to control carbon emission and reduce the climate change impact.

The movement for anti animal killing rights is gaining momentum even in India, where actors and celebrities are brought to tasks for circumventing these laws.

Schools worldwide are teaching students the importance of rainforests through project work. All these solutions seem to be creating some awareness, but unless each and every global citizen makes a real contribution, the biodiversity of earth will remain endangered.