Extinct and Endangered Species By: Franky Corcoran, Dylan Esty, Shawn Doucet, and Zachary Galley What Will We Learn Today? Today, we are going to learn about extinct and endangered species. We will have activities and prizes at the end, so be sure to pay close attention. What Are Endangered and Extinct Species? Extinction is when a species dies off and is not seen again. Dinosaurs are a good examples. Endangered species are species that are at high risk of becoming extinct. What Causes A Species To Go Extinct? The primary cause for species to become extinct is destruction of habitat, pollution, overharvesting, or overhunting. The introduction of a new species, or a new predator to these animals results in a struggle for survival, where the predators will kill in order to get food and other necessities that are key to their survival. What Was The First Species To Become Extinct? In 100 BC, the first species to become extinct was the Syrian elephant. This species went extinct after overhunting for ivory. The skeletal remains of the Syrian elephant can be found in the Middle East, so it can be located in Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. Syrian craftsmen have used the remains of this extinct elephant to create ivory carvings, using the elephants tusks. Species That Recently Went Extinct The last known species to go extinct is the Eastern cougar, which was believed to be a subspecies of the North American cougar. The U.S. Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Service, or better known as the FWS, deemed that it was endangered in 2011, until it was officially deemed extinct in on June 17, 2015, when the FWS removed this species from their endangered species list. Is Human Extinction Inevitable? Many of you may be wondering, is it possible that we could go extinct? According to Professor Frank Fenner, a scientist who studies in microbiology, has done the calculations and has predicted that human extinction will not occur for about 100 years. It's an irreversible situation. I think it's too late. I try not to express that because people are trying to do something, but they keep putting it off. Frank Fenner What Causes A Species To Become Endangered? A species can become endangered due to issues that cause extinction, like we explained earlier. Pollution, destruction of habitat, overharvesting, overhunting, not only cause extinction, but also causes species to become endangered and at high risk of becoming extinct. What Species Are Currently Endangered In Canada? Currently in Canada, there are about 55 species that are currently endangered. There are 11 mammals, 14 birds, 1 amphibian, 3 reptile, 3 fish, and 23 plants that are all endangered in Canada, adding up to 55 species. Mammals The endangered mammals include: Bowhead Whale Right Whale Beluga Whale Eastern Cougar Sea Otter Vancouver Island Marmot Peary Caribou (Banks Island and High Arctic population) Wolverine (Eastern population) Birds The endangered birds include: Mountain Plover Sage Thrasher Henslows Sparrow King Rail Loggerhead Shrike Spotted Owl Piping Plover Eskimo Curlew Whooping Crane Amphibians The only Amphibian that is currently endangered is the Blanchards Cricket Frog. It is a subspecies of a northern cricket frog and was seen mostly throughout the Midwestern United States, and has become endangered in Ontario, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Reptiles The endangered reptiles include: Leatherback Turtle Lake Erie Water Snake Blue Racer Snake Giant Salamander (China) Fish The endangered fish include: Aurora Trout Acadian Whitefish Salish Sucker Heart-leaved Plantain Water-pennywort Threat-leaved Sundew Plants The endangered plants include: Spotted Wintergreen Pink Coreopsis Slender Bush Clover Skinners Agalinis Wood Poppy How Can You Help? There are many ways that you can help with preventing species from becoming endangered and extinct. We will give you all 5 ways that you can help stop losing species in our ecosystem. 1.) Make Your Home Wild Friendly Save your tap water, so the animals that live either near or on the water have a better chance of survival. Prevent wild animals from arriving at your home. You can do so by feeding your pets indoors and locking pet doors at night, otherwise it may attract wild animals to your home. 2.) Recycle And Buy Sustainable Products If you finish drinking from a bottle, or a can, you can recycle them to help our environment. Perfectly good paper that is not of use can be useful to recycle to keep you from tearing down trees, which leads to deforestation, which ultimately leads to a species becoming endangered. 3.) Harassing Wildlife Is Cruel Destruction of habitat results in animals becoming endangered, and deforestation is one of those primary reasons for habitat destruction. Shooting, threatening, or harming animals in anyway can result in that animal becoming endangered, ultimately leading to extinction. If you see anyone committing this haneous act, report it immediately to your local state, or a federal wildlife enforcement office. 4.) Slow Down While Driving Due to animals living in many different developed areas, this means they must avoid threats in the real world or other human hazards. While driving your vehicle, take the time to slow down and keep an eye out for any wildlife that may run out onto the road. Roads present a hazard to an animal that is running from one side of the road to the other side of the road. 5.) Learn About Endangered Species In Your Area In order to protect the endangered species in your area, research on those species would benefit. Learn how important they are and figure out ways that you can help prevent extinction. Upon learning of the endangered species in your area, you can take the previous ways to help and use them to protect your environment and these poor species at risk. Check For Understanding! Hope you all were paying attention! Now, we are going to ask you all 5 questions about what you have just seen here! Answer the right question and you will receive a prize! 1 st Question What are endangered species? Answer: Endangered species is a species that is at high risk of becoming extinct. 2 nd Question Name one of the five ways to help prevent species from becoming endangered. Answer: Make your home wild friendly, recycle sustainable products, slow down while driving, learn about endangered species in your area, and harassing wildlife is cruel. 3 rd Question What animal is currently the only endangered amphibian? Answer: Blanchards Cricket Frog 4 th Question Who believes that human extinction will not occur for 100 more years? Answer: Frank Fenner 5 th Question How many mammals are currently endangered? Answer: 11 mammals Final Question Name one fish that is currently endangered? Aurora Trout, Acadian Whitefish, Salish Sucker, Heart-leaved plantain, Water-pennywort, and Threat-leaved Sundew In Conclusion There are many species that we have grown to love over the course of time that are currently endangered and may not be around in a few years. Human extinction will not happen for 100 years, so no worries. We are going to be here for a very, very, long time. Take our advice into consideration and help prevent more extinction. THANKS FOR WATCHING! Thanks for watching! Hope you all enjoyed! Congratulations to whoever won the prizes! By Franky, Dylan, Shawn, and Zach Have a great day kids!