What is an Endangered Species?

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(narrator) Endangered species.

You've probably heard the term before,

but what exactly is an endangered species?

And why do they need our help?

Let's break it down.

The word "species" refers to a group

or a type of similar living organisms
that can repopulate.

So for example, humans are a species,

but different types of animals,
plants, and insects are also species.

Lions, owls, lizards,

butterflies, ants and bees,

the trees, grasses and flowers we grow,

even the fruits and veggies we eat
are all examples of different species.

But what does it mean
when a species is endangered?

Endangered species literally means:

a species that is in danger of extinction

or being completely wiped out
from existence.

To help keep track
of the health of a species

and how endangered it is,

it's placed in a category,
based on things like:

its population, the health of its habitat,
and other scientific data.

The categories range from of least concern
to fully extinct.

And while all these categories
are important in evaluating life on Earth,

the species listed
as critically endangered,

endangered or vulnerable,

are species
that are threatened with extinction.

So what causes a species to decline
and become endangered or extinct?

Let's look at an example.

(jungle sounds)

More than 65 million years ago,

at least 700 known types
or species of dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

(jungle sounds)

Until drastic changes in their environment
caused them to go extinct.

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Scientists say
that a giant asteroid hit the Earth,

killing many dinosaurs on impact

and throwing the Earth into a frenzy.

Volcanoes were erupting,

releasing dust, soot,
and carbon into the air.

Dark clouds covered the sky

and the climate changed very quickly,

making it difficult
for plants and animals to survive.

This unhealthy environment

caused many of the remaining
dinosaur species to become endangered.

And without clean air and water
and sources of food and shelter,

they were ultimately wiped out completely.

Only a few species survived

and evolved into what we know today
as birds.

(birds squawking)

In this example,
you can see how one action

can cause a chain reaction of events

that can very quickly create
a dangerously unhealthy environment.

Today, we are still experiencing
natural changes in the environment

and the Earth's atmosphere,

but we're also experiencing changes
that are caused by human activities.

Activities like fishing, growing food,

constructing roads and buildings,

using electricity, driving, shopping,

and many other things we do every day

can have major effects on the habitats

or places where species live
around the world.

And when habitats change,
the species living there are impacted.

Things like deforestation,

water, light, and noise pollution,

using too many natural resources,

and species being captured and brought
to places where they don't belong

are all putting plants,
animals, and humans in danger.

Millions of species exist on Earth,

but scientific research tells us

that as many as 2000 of those species
could be going extint

per year.

Let's call on one of our experts, Leigh,
to see if she can tell us more

about a few of our favorite species
that need our help.

(Leigh) Hi everybody, and thanks so much

for your interest
in learning about endangered species.

Sadly, it's no exaggeration
that plants and animals

are going extinct
around the world every day.

Take the tiger, for example.

(growling sound)

In the last century,
the Balinese, Caspian,

and Javan tigers have all gone extinct.

There are only two subspecies
remaining today:

the Continental and Sunda Island tigers.

And sadly, both are endangered.

Poaching, ilegal trade, habitat loss,
and other human conflict issues

have caused tiger populations
to continue to decline year after year.

Sadly, there are only about 3900 tigers
remaining in the wild today.

Similar to the tiger,
elephants, rhinos, and whales

are also made up
of different subspecies and populations,

which are also being driven
closer and closer

to extinction due to human activities.

The good news is, all over the world,

scientists and experts like me
work hard every day

to protect endangered species,

to increase their populations in the wild

so we don't lose them for good.

And the really great news is,

it's not just experts like me
that can help.

You have the power to make an impact too.

(children cheering)

(narrator) Leigh's right.

You can take action
to help stop the decline

of the natural systems that support us
and all other species on the planet,

like tigers, rhinos, elephants, and more.

You can help improve air quality

and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

by turning lights and electronics off
when you're not using them

and biking, walking

or taking public transit
instead of driving.

You can be mindful
of not wasting food and water.

You can talk or write
to your local leaders and government

so they make good decisions
that help protect nature.

You can also talk
to your friends and family

about how we all need
to take good care of the Earth.

And you can support organizations like WWF

that are working
to protect the environment

and all the life on our planet.

If we all do our part
to take a stand for nature,

we can protect species around the world,

including ourselves.

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