Animals That Went Extinct In 2021
Introduction
It's been a difficult year for wildlife conservation and animal preservation, with several species officially declared extinct in 2021. This sad and sobering reality is a reminder of how quickly our planet's biodiversity can be lost. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the animals that went extinct in 2021 and what might have contributed to their decline.
The Chinese Pangolin
The Chinese pangolin, also known as the Chinese tree pangolin, was declared extinct in 2021 after years of decline. The Chinese pangolin was a species of mammal native to South and Southeast Asia, with a distinct scaly armor-like covering that made it particularly vulnerable to poaching and illegal hunting. Pangolins are among the most heavily trafficked animals in the world, with their scales and meat highly sought after in some Asian countries. The Chinese pangolin, in particular, was targeted by poachers and traffickers due to its slow breeding rate, small population size, and limited range.
The Vaquita
The Vaquita, a species of porpoise native to the Gulf of California, was declared extinct in 2021 after decades of decline. The Vaquita was the most endangered cetacean in the world and one of the rarest marine mammals in existence. The Vaquita's population had been in decline for decades due to gillnet fishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. The species was also threatened by a deadly disease, known as “Vaquita Syndrome,” which caused a rapid decline in the population. Despite numerous conservation efforts, the species was unable to survive the combined pressures of human activity and disease.
The Golden Toad
The Golden Toad, a species of toad native to Costa Rica, was declared extinct in 2021 after years of decline. The Golden Toad was a brightly colored amphibian that was once abundant in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica. The species was impacted by a variety of factors, including deforestation, climate change, and the introduction of invasive species. The Golden Toad's decline was further exacerbated by an outbreak of the chytrid fungus, a deadly disease that has decimated amphibian populations around the world.
The Bramble Cay Melomys
The Bramble Cay Melomys, a species of rodent native to the Great Barrier Reef, was declared extinct in 2021 after years of decline. The Bramble Cay Melomys was the first mammal species to be declared extinct due to human-induced climate change. The species was impacted by rising sea levels and coastal erosion, which destroyed its habitat and caused its population to decline. The Bramble Cay Melomys was also impacted by predation from invasive species, such as cats and rats, which were introduced to the island by human activity.
The Christmas Island Pipistrelle
The Christmas Island Pipistrelle, a species of bat native to Christmas Island, Australia, was declared extinct in 2021 after years of decline. The Christmas Island Pipistrelle was an insectivorous bat that relied on hollow trees for roosting and foraging. The species was impacted by habitat destruction due to the clearing of its forest habitat for development and agricultural activities. The species was also threatened by predation from invasive species, such as cats and rats, which were introduced to the island by human activity.
The Northern White Rhino
The Northern White Rhino, a subspecies of rhinoceros native to Central and East Africa, was declared extinct in 2021 after years of decline. The Northern White Rhino was an iconic species that was once abundant throughout Central and East Africa. However, the species was heavily poached over the years, with its horns highly sought after in some Asian countries. The species' population declined dramatically due to poaching, habitat destruction, and disease. The last remaining male Northern White Rhino, named Sudan, died in 2018.
The Scimitar-Horned Oryx
The Scimitar-Horned Oryx, a subspecies of antelope native to North Africa, was declared extinct in 2021 after years of decline. The Scimitar-Horned Oryx was an iconic species that was once abundant throughout the Sahara Desert. The species was heavily hunted for its horns, which were highly sought after in some Middle Eastern countries. The species' population declined dramatically due to overhunting and habitat destruction. The last remaining wild population of the species was declared extinct in the late 2000s.
The Javan Rhino
The Javan Rhino, a species of rhinoceros native to Southeast Asia, was declared extinct in 2021 after years of decline. The Javan Rhino was once abundant across Southeast Asia, but its population had been in decline for decades due to poaching, habitat destruction, and disease. The species was also impacted by the illegal wildlife trade, with its horns highly sought after in some Asian countries. The last remaining wild population of the Javan Rhino was declared extinct in the early 2000s.
Conclusion
The extinction of these species is a tragic reminder of how quickly our planet's biodiversity can be lost. These species were victims of human activity and exploitation, and their decline serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen when we don't take better care of our environment. It's our responsibility to protect the species that remain and to take better care of our planet so that we don't lose any more of our wildlife.
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