It is a matter of great concern to me that, in the few years that I have lived on earth, several species and subspecies have become extinct. It is even more perplexing that I have no answers to stem the current tide. Here are some notable examples:
- Pyrenean Ibex (Bucardo):
The Pyrenean ibex, a wild goat native to the Pyrenees Mountains, went extinct in 2000. It was the first species to be cloned from frozen tissue in 2009, but the clone died shortly after birth.
2. Pinta Island Tortoise (Lonesome George):
Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island tortoise, died in 2012. Efforts to find a mate for him were unsuccessful, leading to the extinction of his subspecies.
3. Spix’s Macaw (Blue Macaw):
The Spix’s macaw, a striking blue parrot from Brazil, became extinct in the wild in the early 2000s due to habitat loss and illegal trade. A few individuals remain in captivity.
4. Bramble Cay Melomys:
The Bramble Cay Melomys, a small rodent found on a tiny island in the Great Barrier Reef, was declared extinct in 2019. Rising sea levels and habitat loss led to its demise.
5. Vaquita:
The vaquita, a critically endangered porpoise found in the Gulf of California, is on the brink of extinction. Only a handful remain, and their survival is uncertain.
6. Northern White Rhino:
The northern white rhino is functionally extinct in the wild. Only two females remain, both unable to reproduce naturally. Efforts are underway to save the species through assisted reproductive technologies.
7. Javan Tiger:
The Javan tiger, once found on the Indonesian island of Java, was declared extinct in the 1980s due to habitat loss and hunting.
8. Western Black Rhinoceros:
The western black rhinoceros, a subspecies of black rhino, was declared extinct in the wild in 2011. Poaching for their horns contributed to their decline.
We are truly in the sixth extinction event and it may come to a head sooner than we think. What can we do to reverse this trend?
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