Page 52 - One Million Things: Animal Life - The Incredible Visual Guide

ON THE BRINK

Extinction is a natural part of life on Earth.
Over millions of years, some species
disappear while new species evolve. Since the
1600s, however, the rate of extinction has risen
steadily, with species vanishing as a direct result of
human activities. The World Conservation Union
lists more than 16,000 animal species on the brink
of extinction, including those shown here.

SIBERIAN TIGER ECHO PARAKEET
Like other tigers, the Siberian tiger is In the 1980s, only 10 echo parakeets
critically endangered. Tigers are remained on the Indian Ocean island of
officially protected, but poachers kill Mauritius, due to habitat loss and rats
them for their skins and for body parts, raiding their nests. Since then, however,
which are used in traditional Chinese conservation measures have resulted in
medicine. The tiger’s habitat is also a steady rise in the number of parakeets.
shrinking because of intensive logging.

PANAMANIAN
GOLDEN FROG
Many frog species have gone into
decline because of fungal infections.
CALIFORNIA CONDOR The Panamanian golden frog is no
Trapping, shooting, poisoning, exception. The last specimens in
and collisions with power lines the wild were seen in 2007 and
brought this American vulture have since been collected for
near to extinction. In 1987, all 22 breeding in captivity to save
surviving birds were taken into the species.
captivity, where they were bred
successfully. Numbers are AMERICAN
now steadily increasing. BURYING BEETLE
Once widespread across the US,
this beetle buries the carcasses of
rodents and birds to feed its young.
Today, only a few remain, probably
because of the use of pesticides
(chemicals that kill insect pests)
and changes in their habitat.
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