8090

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8090
• Author: Colorado Division of Wildlife.
• Title: Wildlife in Danger.
• USFW Year: 1986.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver
• Copyright Material: NO

Why Save Endangered Wildlife?
Why save endangered species? There may not be one hard and fast answer to
that rather simple-sounding question, but in looking for an answer we may find
numerous reasons for putting a halt to the disappearance of many forms of life.
While it's convenient for some of us to look the other way and ignore the
plight of threatened and endangered species, it's hardly a wise stance. Although
there's virtually nothing we can do to stop the extinction of some species, we
do have the ability to slow down the process that's causing this problem. As a
matter of fact, we have an obligation to do so. And here are a number of
reasons why.
First of all, there's the matter of ethics. Stated simply, every form of life on earth
has a right to exist, and at the same time, humanity has no right to exterminate
a species. Some people may think that some forms of life are unimportant, but
in making decisions about the elimination of large numbers of species, we are actually
helping create a permanent shift in the course of evolution. That's not man's role.
There also exist aesthetic reasons for preserving as many of our planet's species
as possible. Many people derive great pleasure from being able to see the creatures
they share Earth with, and these species add to the diversity and texture of life.
We also need to consider the fact that all living things, including humans, are
part of a complex web of relationships called an ecosystem, and that what happens
to one part of the system always affects the rest of it. We can't always measure
the effect immediately, but it exists. For example, some species can even serve as
indicators of problems that could easily relate to man. The decline of the peregrine
falcon due to the deadly nature of the pesticide DDT is a case in point.
And finally, there are practical - call them selfish if you want - reasons for the
preservation of plant and animal species, yet they are crucial. Mankind has already
derived numerous agricultural, scientific and medicinal benefits from plants and
animals, and he's only investigated a small segment of the species residing on
Earth. Thus, it would seem that it's only natural that man retain as many
species as possible for the use and study of future generations.

Photo by Ray Richardson