Four on Friday: National Endangered Species Day
Today is National Endangered Species Day! It’s a chance to learn about the amazing animals and plants that are endangered, primarily due to humans. Learn about conservation efforts and what you can do in your own backyard to help!
I’m sharing just four books with characters that are critically endangered. There are hundreds if not thousands of plants and animals that are considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered depending on what source material you take a look at. I’m using the World Wildlife Fund and the National Wildlife Federation as my guides today.
Critically Endangered Animals
The Eastern Lowland Gorilla weighs in at 400+ lbs. and lives on fruits and other herbaceous material. Due to the civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, scientists believe that the gorilla population has declined by 50% since the 1990s. But the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, home to the largest population of protected eastern lowland gorillas, is working to take control of the land and protect these beautiful animals.
With an estimation of fewer than 400 Sunda tigers existing in the wild today, it is vital to protect these magestic creatures. Deforestation and poaching have decimated the tiger population. In fact, these tigers who once roamed Bali and Java are now extinct in both of these locations. Stricter poaching laws and regulations don’t seem to be a match for the illegal trade of tiger products.
Community-led intervention has helped to double the Black Rhino population from it’s historic low in the 1980s and 90s. European hunters and settlers reduced the population by 98% at one time. Although the Black Rhino population is over 5,000 at this time, more must be done to save these animals.
Finally, Sumatran elephants! These gentle giants eat plants and seeds and then deposit them throughout the forest creating a healthy ecosystem. Excitingly, since China took the massive step to ban the elephant ivory trade, the demand has dropped which may end up helping to save these massive animals.
Four on Friday: National Endangered Species Day
- Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
- It’s a Tiger! by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Jeremy Tankard
- Rhymocerous by Janik Coat
- Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev, illustrated by Taeeun Yoo
And if you’re looking for a book abou endanged species in particular, check out Chelsea Clinton’s book Don’t Let Them Disappear.
