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Endangered Species

Endangered species are plant or animal species which are in danger of extinction. If a species goes extinct, all of its kind are gone forever. Over 5,000 species of animals are considered endangered. This includes elephants, rhinos, orangutans, wolves, tigers, condors, mountain gorillas, and different species of whales.

Animals are endangered for different reasons. Some animals are losing there habitat, such as animals which live in the rainforest, to humans. Many animals in the rainforest are endangered because people destroy their homes. They need their habitat to survive, and without it, they start to die off. Also, many animals are endangered because humans hunt them. Humans hunt and capture them for many reasons. Sometimes they are hunted for food. Other times, in the case of young orangutans and other young primates, they are captured and sold illegally to people as pets. Or other times, parts of them are sold, as in the case of the elephant and its ivory tusks.

Many people are making an effort to save endangered species. Many laws have been established in order to protect them. Organizations exist which are working to protect endangered species by educating the public and working with local governments. There have also been many agreements to protect them such as the Migratory Bird Conservation Act.

Many actions must still be taken in order to preserve endangered species. Laws must be created to protect endangered species. Also, existing laws must be enforced. The public must also be educated about protecting endangered species and how important they are to the environment.

Here are some links to organizations helping endangered species.

Orangutan Foundation International

Jane Goodall Institute

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

International Primate Protection League

World Wildlife Fund