Endangered Animals in the World
What does "EW" stand for on the scale of threatened animals?
extinct in the wild
(the only living members of that species are in captivity in zoos, etc)
This big cat is endangered because of threats to its main food, rabbits, as well as danger from motor vehicles, poison, and hunting.
Iberian lynx (lince ibérico)
What is the word for "hunt illegally"?
poach
What is the word for a protected area where nature can exist without human interference?
A very dry area where life must survive without much water
desert
Between sport hunting and being poached for their fur and teeth, there are only _______ tigers left in the wild.
a) 5,500 b) 3,800 c) 1,300 d) 2,000 e) 1,800
b) 3,800
This big reptile has been almost completely wiped out from its habitat on one of the Canary Islands due to poaching and being hunted by invasive species.
El Hierro giant lizard (lagarto gigante de El Hierro)
When humans put dangerous chemicals or other materials into the environment, this is called ______
pollution
The goal of protecting native habitats, including all the plant and animal species that live there, is called ______
conservation
This environment is characterized by high elevations and rocky surfaces.
Mountains
What subspecies of leopard is now critically endangered, with less than 70 still living in the wild?
Amur leopard
This large bird has become vulnerable because of a decrease in the population of its main food, rabbits.
Iberian imperial eagle (águila imperial ibérica)
What global phenomenon affects every habitat and endangers species all around the world?
climate change
Reducing consumption, reusing materials, and recycling are all examples of which conservation strategy?
Sustainable use
This tropical environment, one of the most biologically diverse in the world, is especially threatened by deforestation.
rainforests
Elephants are poached to obtain what material from their tusks?
Ivory
This big omnivore (and a symbol of Madrid) has populations all over Eurasia and North America, but the population in the Cantabrian and Pyrenees mountains is critically endangered due to poaching and human construction.
Brown bear (oso pardo)
What is the biggest cause of deforestation?
Cattle (cow) farming for beef
What are the three parts of the MPS conservation strategy?
Maintenance, preservation, and sustainable use
This mostly flat, grassy environment is home to many large animals which are endangered by poaching.
savannah
The Sumatran rainforests where orangutans live are being destroyed in order to make space for growing what product?
Coffee
This aquatic mammal has suffered from pollution, over-fishing, and excess plastic being dumped in its habitat. Only around 400 still live in the Mediterranean.
Mediterranean monk seal (foca monje del mediterránea)
What threat comes not from direct human action, but from other animals that humans bring with them?
Invasive species
Wild animal populations must have genetic diversity to survive on their own long-term. What is the strategy to protect genetic diversity called?
Preservation
This beautiful but very fragile environment can only be found in certain areas of the world's seas and oceans, but is increasingly threatened by pollution and rising sea temperatures.
Coral reefs (arrecifes de coral)