Page 80 - World of Animals - Issue #36

5 animals we couldn’t live without

We have lost a staggering 50 per cent of the pass. Through their global conservation work,
world’s wildlife over the past 40 years. If this rate pioneering scientific research and world class

of decline continues, the majority of the Earth’s zoos, they’re striving to reverse these dramatic
most iconic creatures could disappear completely declines and safeguard our planet for future
within our lifetimes. generations.
International conservation charity, the Zoological It’s impossible to imagine a world without
Society of London (ZSL) is working to ensure wildlife. We spoke to experts at ZSL who are
that this alarming scenario never comes to committed to making sure you don’t have to.

Without insects… Without birds…

A world without insects is unthinkable. The ecosystem services these Imagine springtime without bird song. Wild birds are part of our
creatures provide are fundamental to the survival of the rest of the daily lives, culture and history. Imagine a world without them.
animal kingdom as we know it. The natural world would be very different – many plants rely
Bees and wasps are vital for the pollination of plants, particularly on birds to disperse their seeds, and as top predators, birds
those that humans rely on, such as fruits, nuts, cotton and hay for regulate the populations of their prey.
livestock, and the recycling of nutrients into the soil by insects such as Imagine being knee deep in spiders! Sadly, in some cases

dung beetles cannot be overlooked. Insects also play an integral role we don’t have to imagine – the island of Guam in the Pacific
in the food chain, as they provide key sustenance for other animals. has no birds; they were eaten by introduced snakes. But there
But we must also remember that insects themselves have intrinsic is still hope for such areas. Bird populations on Mauritius are
worth, enriching our lives through their fascinating forms and beauty. recovering after years of conservation work. Let’s make Guam
Could we live without this? the exception rather than the rule!
Dave Clarke, team leader of BUGS at ZSL Professor Ken Norris, director of science at ZSL
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Of all food Without bees, we wouldn’t have
is reliant on cherries, pears, tomatoes, avocados,
pollinators or strawberries to name a few

Many flowers are dependent on The insects that birds feed on
birds to disperse their seeds; would multiply and dominate their
without them there would be habitat without a natural predator
fewer plants to control their population

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