Endangered Species
Endangered Species are species of plants and animals whose number has become so small that they may be lost if not given adequate protection. In Ghana, our famous forest plants such as Odum, Mohagany, Sapele are diminishing at a fastest rate when adequate protection is not given by 2020, there will be about 10% of these plants in our rich forest. Other species that are endangered in Ghana are elephant, eagle, tiger, shark, hippopotamus, parrot and many more.
Humans are largely responsive when animals become endangered. According to the World Wildlife Fund(WWF), ?destructive human activities? have increased the rate of species extinction from 100 to 1000 times the natural rate. Habitat loss is a major threat that causes animals to become endangered. Human activities such as deforestation , mining ?galamsey?, development or human encroachment causes habitat loss. Species that are found at a particular area and nowhere else become vulnerable when their habitat are loss. For example, years back in Kenyasi , there are a lot vulture, bat, rat an other bush meats due to deforestation and development , these animals have suddenly lost from the town .
Competition with other species for resources such as food or breading sites often causes vulnerable animas to become threatened. For example, seabird such as the endangered African penguin are often outcompeted for breading sites for seals, who are a real threat as they are much larger and will readily attack and eat penguins at sea. Seals also compete with seabirds for prey fish, so when food is limited , seabirds have to travel further to find food for their chicks, spending more time away from their nests resulting in high chick mortality. Competition with other species for resources may not have a huge impact on species directly, but when combined with other factors, it can lead to a steady decline in the population over time, with severe consequences.
Perhaps the greatest threat that faces many species is the widespread destruction of habitat. Scientists tell us the best way to protect endangered species is to protect their special places where they live. Wildlife must have places to find food, shelter, and raise their young ones. Endangered species' habitat should be protected and these impacts minimized.
Again, the government should passed laws to restrict the illegal trafficking of endangered species as some scientists, citizens and many nations have done. The was should forbid hunting, while others should restrict and land development or create special preserves as endangered species habitats.