On the International Day for Biological Diversity, the editor will introduce you to rare and endangered wild animals
China Daily, May 22 (Shen Yang) May 22 is the International Day for Biological Diversity. Biodiversity generally consists of three components: genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Among them, species diversity is the core of biodiversity. At present, there are more than 2 million known species. It can be said that it is such a rich variety of biological species that makes our earth full of vitality.
However, the world's species diversity is facing a serious threat. According to the Red Book of Endangered Animals released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, 593 species of birds, more than 400 species of animals, 209 species of amphibians and reptiles and more than 20,000 species of higher plants are on the verge of extinction.
Under the intervention of human activities, species extinction has been 1,000 times faster than the natural rate in the past hundred years. According to statistics, 75 species are becoming extinct every day in the world, which means that about 3 species are permanently disappeared from the earth every hour. The destruction of biodiversity will have a profound impact on the earth's environment and cause incalculable damage to the conditions for human survival and development. Many countries and non-governmental organizations all over the world are making unremitting efforts to protect biodiversity. Let's take a look at some of the most endangered wild animals in the world.
An Asian elephant sent to the zoo. (Photo credit: Visual China)
Asian elephants
Historically, Asian elephants have a wide distribution area, they are often 1000 meters above sea level in the gullies, rivers and bamboo mixed forest activities, is a large terrestrial herbivorous mammals. Climate change, large areas of forest loss, and excessive hunting by human beings have caused a sharp decline in the number of wild Asian elephants. The wild Asian elephant population has declined by 97 percent since the early 19th century and has been declining ever since. According to statistics released by China's State Forestry Administration in 2004, only 180 Asian elephants remained in the country. In addition to its low breeding rate, the Asian elephant population is facing a severe extinction due to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as persistent poaching.