Endemic
animals are those animals that are found in a particular region or area, in
this case Zambia. Most endemic animals are in endangered, but it does not
necessarily mean endemic animals are always endangered. Endangered, vulnerable
and near threatened animals in Zambia include the African wild dog
(endangered), shoebill stork (vulnerable), black rhino (was reintroduced),
African elephant (near threatened), hippopotamus (vulnerable), Ansell’s shrew
(endemic and endangered), Chaplin’s Barbet (endemic) and Black-cheeked Lovebird
(near endemic). This is according to the IUCN (International Union for
Conservation of Nature) list.
The
implications of endangered endemic animals are that, once they are wiped out by
indiscriminate practices like poaching and illegal animal trade, the world will
record another extinct species. Wildlife conservationist, ZAWA and other
wildlife societies alone cannot mitigate poaching and its effects. It is the
responsibility of each and every Zambian, whether in the field of natural
resources or not to protect our precious wildlife. People have to see the
significance and value of the resources that Zambia has been blesses with. It
pains to hear reports of poaching and other such practices. Of course poaching
is not the only human activity that threatens the extinction of endemic animals
in Zambia. Habitat destruction ranks high when it comes to wiping out animals. This
is brought about by activities such as farming, deforestation, human
settlements and mining that involves the clearing of land. Endemic animals
cannot live anywhere else apart from their native territory, that is, if they
are displaced they cannot survive.
Practices that forces animals out of their
native home range are quit many. All of them are as a result of human
activities. Such activities include road construction, bridge construction,
farming and other activities which forces animals out of their native habitats.
Although these activities are necessary it is strongly felt they should be
carried out in places where endemic species are not found. Therefore it is each
and every one of us’ responsibility to make sure that we don’t contribute to
the wiping out of the endangered animals that we currently have. We should keep
in mind that the noise brought about by industries and people drive animals
away from their homes and natural habitat. So whenever setting up new
industries it is essential to ensure no animals will be affected in the process.
Endangered Species
“The World Conservation Union (also known as IUCN) and
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES) list all species of pythons as vulnerable and one subspecies of
the Indian python as endangered. Python skins are exported from parts of Asia
and Africa, mainly from animals killed in the wild. Pythons are also eaten as
food in some areas. Some local populations routinely kill wild pythons out of
fear” (Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009).
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| Black Rhino |
Illegal
animal trade can also contribute to the extinction of species like the African
elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the
black rhino (Diceros bicornis).
The demand for ivory is very high, which implies that target animals are those
which have ivory tusks and horns. The current population of elephants in Zambia
is very low as compared to the way it was a decade ago. An elephant is a
keystone species. That means, other animals depend on it. Without the elephant,
the vast part of southern Africa would have been a forest. Rhinos are among the biggest and heaviest land animals
alive today, exceeded in size only by the elephant and the hippopotamus. As a
result of illegal trade in rhinoceros horn and habitat destruction, the
populations of the black rhino, and are now close to extinction in the wild. The
African black rhinoceros’ horn is prized as a medicine and aphrodisiac.
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| African Elephant |
Concerning plant species sources say, over 8,300 plant
species and 7,200 animal species around the globe are threatened with
extinction, and many thousands more become extinct each year before biologists
can identify them. The primary causes of species extinction or endangerment are
habitat destruction, commercial exploitation (such as plant collecting, hunting,
and trade in animal parts), damage caused by nonnative plants and animals
introduced into an area, and pollution. Of these causes, direct habitat
destruction threatens the greatest number of species. Examples include cactus,
orchids and cycads. Cacti are mostly found in arid areas, but some species are
grown in Zambia. Some species of orchids grow wildly and some exotic species
are grown commercially in Zambia. Cycads are primitive gymnosperms (“naked
seed” plants) with motile sperm cells, producing exposed seeds in cone like
clusters at the apex of the plants. They occur in tropical, subtropical, and
warm temperate areas. The emphasis in protecting endangered species has been
placed on animals. But there are a lot of plant species which are threatened by
practices like charcoal burning, shifting cultivation and other human
activities which directly or indirectly affect plant species.
They
say knowledge is power. On the other hand wisdom is the correct application of
knowledge. Therefore lets us act with wisdom with regard to the protection of
endangered species in our beloved country Zambia.
Share
with us your experiences, comments and recommendations. Send emails to wildlifemgtsociety@gmail.com
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