Endangered Animals: The Growing Threat to Biodiversity

Written By: Jagriti Shahi

The natural world is teeming with life, from the vast rainforests to the arid deserts, but this diversity is under threat. Many animal species are facing extinction, a situation that not only affects the animals themselves but also the ecosystems they inhabit. Human activities such as deforestation, poaching, climate change, and habitat destruction are some of the major contributors to the increasing number of endangered species. Among these animals, some, like the giraffe, often escape the spotlight, despite the growing challenges they face.

Figure: Primary Threats to Wildlife Population

Giraffes: The Gentle Giants in Danger

When we think of endangered animals, iconic species like the tiger, elephant, or rhino may come to mind. However, the giraffe, with its unique and towering presence, is also facing a silent crisis. Once abundant across the African continent, giraffe populations have dropped by nearly 40% in the last 30 years. This decline is primarily due to habitat loss from expanding agricultural activities, illegal hunting, and human-wildlife conflicts. Some subspecies of giraffes, such as the Nubian giraffe, are now listed as critically endangered.

Global Population Decline of Giraffes - 1990-2023

Giraffes play a vital role in their ecosystems. As browsers, they feed on tall trees, promoting new growth and helping maintain healthy forests and savannas. Their dwindling numbers not only threaten the species itself but also the balance of the ecosystems they support. Conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration and anti-poaching laws, are crucial to their survival.

While giraffes are an example of a species in decline, many other animals across the globe are in similarly dire situations.

1. Amur Leopard

One of the rarest big cats in the world, the Amur leopard is critically endangered, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild. Native to the Russian Far East and northeastern China, this beautiful animal faces threats from poaching, habitat loss, and the illegal wildlife trade. Conservation efforts include establishing protected areas and working with local communities to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

Global Population Decline of Amur Leopard- 1990-2023

2. Sumatran Orangutan

Global Population Decline of Sumatran Orangutan - 1990-2023

The Sumatran orangutan is critically endangered, with deforestation being its biggest threat. These intelligent primates are native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra and rely heavily on the rainforest for food and shelter. Unfortunately, vast areas of their habitat are being cleared for palm oil plantations. Conservationists are working to protect the remaining forests and rescue orangutans displaced by habitat destruction.

3. Vaquita

Global Population Decline of Vaquita - 1990-2023 

The vaquita, a small porpoise found in the Gulf of California, is the most endangered marine mammal in the world. With fewer than 10 individuals believed to remain, the species is on the brink of extinction. Vaquitas are primarily threatened by illegal fishing activities, where they get caught in nets meant for other species, such as the totoaba fish. International efforts are underway to ban harmful fishing practices and protect the vaquita’s habitat.

Global Population Decline of Black Rhino- 1990-2023

Despite conservation efforts, the black rhino continues to be one of Africa’s most endangered animals. Poaching for their horns, driven by demand in the illegal wildlife trade, has drastically reduced their numbers. Anti-poaching patrols, stricter laws, and relocation programs are being implemented to safeguard this species.

The Global Impact of Animal Extinction

The extinction of species doesn't just affect the animals themselves; it has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and human communities. Animals play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance. Predators help control prey populations, herbivores maintain plant growth, and scavengers clean up dead animals. Losing any species disrupts these natural processes, potentially leading to overpopulation of certain species, depletion of others, and ecosystem collapse.

Additionally, many species contribute to human livelihoods. Giraffes, for example, are a major attraction for eco-tourism in Africa, providing income for local communities. Similarly, forests maintained by animals like the orangutan play a critical role in climate regulation, absorbing carbon dioxide and providing fresh air.

Conservation: A Shared Responsibility

The fight to protect endangered species requires coordinated global efforts. Conservation organizations, governments, and local communities must work together to implement policies that protect habitats, crack down on illegal hunting, and raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity. Education and sustainable development initiatives are also key in reducing human-wildlife conflict and promoting coexistence.

Individuals can also contribute to conservation efforts by supporting eco-friendly products, reducing their carbon footprint, and advocating for stronger wildlife protection laws. Small steps, like avoiding palm oil products or supporting wildlife conservation groups, can make a difference in preserving endangered species.

Types of Wildlife Conservation

1. Electronic Wildlife Conservation: Technology and wildlife: two things we don't really relate to. In fact, they have often opposed it throughout history. Human innovation is often caused by or contributes to the destruction of nature but new technologies are increasingly improving research on migration, human-wildlife conflicts, species translocation and reintroduction, and prey-to-prey interactions. This technique can also be used to strategically assess biodiversity hotspots that should limit human intervention. Examples of preservation techniques include some of the more established items and techniques, including:

Camera Trap

Camera Trap: The latest camera traps are digital cameras connected to infrared sensors that can "detect" moving warm objects such as animals. When the animal passes the sensor, the camera is triggered and an image or video is recorded on the memory card for later retrieval. You can leave a camera trap in the field to continuously monitor your habitat for weeks or months and record the rarest events that occur in nature. The development of networked camera traps capable of transmitting near real-time images over the phone or satellite network has provided a new tool in the fight against poaching. New software tools and statistical models make it easy and fast to get high-quality information from thousands of images that camera traps can quickly generate. This provides a better understanding of the human impact on wildlife and enables land managers to make better decisions, both small and large.

Example: Rhions Lab

Acoustic Monitoring

Acoustic Monitoring: In recent years, the popularity of this technique, known as passive acoustic monitoring (or simply "acoustic monitoring"), has grown very rapidly. This is due to recent technological advances that leverage and often leverage consumer innovations such as smartphones. Hardware is smaller and cheaper, and audio analytics software is much more sophisticated. This means that the cost of portable weathering acoustic sensors for monitoring wildlife is declining rapidly, making it available for a wide range of ecological and conservation studies. At the same time, new developments in machine learning and computer vision have made it possible to automatically extract useful ecological information from hours of recordings. Animals use sound for communication, echolocation, sexual display, and territorial defence. Bioacoustic monitoring records these sounds to infer the distribution, physiological state, frequency, and behaviour of the animal.

• Example: Rtsys

Drones monitor

• Drone monitoring: Various countries have designated special zones in national parks and game reserves where strict laws for prosecuting criminals are in force. However, due to a lack of resources, it is difficult to prosecute illegal activities. National parks often span thousands of square kilometres, making it difficult to effectively monitor all areas. This is where drones and surveillance techniques help human rangers dramatically improve the scope and effectiveness of their surveillance activities without physically placing them in remote locations.

Example: Lorenz Technology

• Sharing and collaboration over the cloud: Cloud-based technology helps you quickly scale your technology without having to provision, operate, and maintain expensive physical infrastructure. Cloud technology also enables ubiquitous accessibility, enabling organizations to be geographically separated and share information quickly and easily. Therefore, it will be easier to pool resources and skills to achieve more meaningful results in wildlife conservation efforts.

Example: Intel

Radar Technology

• Radar Technology: Some species of many wings travel thousands of kilometres, making it difficult to track their movement and location. Radar technology (radio detection and ranging) can provide information about mobile flight, such as timing, direction, and even wing-flapping patterns. This allows biologists to better study and monitor some migratory species.

Example: Rohde-Schwarz

PIT Tags

• PIT Tags: Passive integrated transponders (PIT tags) help track the movement of various terrestrial, aquatic, and even aerial species. The tag is inserted into the animal and acts like a pet's microchip. For example, CWF used PIT tags to track the movement of American eels. Our researchers were able to track eels at various points in the migration process and determine which eels survived which barriers. CWF is currently working on developing guidelines for PIT tagging of eels and is also working on determining the effectiveness of fishway rehabilitation using PIT tags.

Example: Biomark

GPS and Radio Tracking

• GPS and Radio Tracking: GPS tags are too big for some species, so wireless tracking (wireless telemetry)  also makes sense. Wireless tags are smaller than GPS tags and emit radio frequencies. To find the tag, the researcher must move around with the receiver and try to intercept the resulting "ping" from the frequency. For example, CWF uses wireless telemetry to help  track bats.

Example: Telemetry Solutions

Satellites

• Satellites: Satellites can help monitor wildlife and vegetation in nature and provide information about the most remote and inaccessible places on Earth. We can also collect information to help understand why and where biodiversity is declining.

Example: Skyrora

Technology has also brought additional benefits to locals, such as job creation and opportunities to develop new skills.

2. Analytical Wildlife Conservation: Internationally, countries have designated special zones in the form of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and strict legislation is in place to prosecute criminals. However, due to a lack of resources, the challenge of tracking illegal activity arises. Especially in natural parks that cover hundreds of square kilometres. Effective monitoring that covers every corner of the space is difficult. Sophisticated technology helps increase its presence in places not available to human rangers through drone-based and other forms of surveillance technology.

• GAP Analysis: Gap analysis is a tool used in wildlife conservation to identify gaps in conservation lands (e.g., protected areas and nature reserves) or other wildlands where significant plant and animal species and their habitat or important ecological features occur. Conservation managers or scientists can use it as a basis for providing recommendations to improve the representativeness of nature reserves or the effectiveness of protected areas so that these areas provide the best value for conserving biological diversity. With the information that a gap analysis yields, the boundaries of protected areas may be designed to subsume `gaps' containing significant populations of wildlife species that can enhance the long-term survival of a larger metapopulation of the species already within the managed or protected area, or to include a diversity of wildlife species or ecosystems that merit protection but are inadequately represented in an existing protected area network. Gap assessments can be done using the geographic information system: land maps that delineate topography, biological and geological features (forest cover, plains, rivers, etc.), boundaries, land ownership and use are overlaid with the distribution of wildlife species. How much of the species' distribution fall within or without the conservation lands, or within a highly exploited area etc. can be identified. The simplest gap analysis is to assess how well a protected area system meets the conservation goals set by a country or region to represent its biodiversity. Gap analysis ranges from simple exercises based on spatial comparisons of biodiversity to existing protected areas to complex studies that require detailed data collection and analysis, mapping, and the use of software decision packages.

• Conservation Data Analysis: The Conservation Analysis Unit (CAU) maintains a reliable data set of wildlife, vegetation and habitat, conducts surveys to answer conservation questions, and uses this information with various stakeholders in nature conservation. We develop and maintain a variety of tools to inform decision-making with our support.

Knowledge and understanding of priority protected areas through data acquisition and research programs focused on landscape-level spatial analysis. This includes editing and integrating habitat compatibility models, species abundance and distribution models, climate vulnerability assessments, habitat connectivity models, and other landscape datasets.

Wildlife Conservation Startups:

1. Wildlife Drones: Australian startup developing wildlife tracking and monitoring drone solutions The Wildlife Drones system detects tagged animals and displays the information on a map, according to the startup. Furthermore, this allows researchers to observe the whereabouts of animals from a safe distance without

2. Internet of Elephants: Kenyan startup Internet of Elephants develops solutions for public engagement in wildlife conservation through storytelling Wildeverse, the startup's augmented reality mobile game, is intended to bring people closer to wildlife. In addition, the company creates fitness apps that use real-world conservation data to match people's strengths with wild animals. The startup's goal is to elevate wildlife conservation from a distant problem to a common topic of conversation, thereby strengthening conservationist ideas among the general public.

3. Wimbitek: Spanish startup developing global positioning system (GPS) tracking devices based on the Internet of Things SigFox. The bird monitoring devices developed by the startup include a solar-powered panel that supplements the original battery power. Furthermore, conservationists can view, analyse, and download bird tracking data via Wimbitek's web platform. The startup offers ornithologists an effective and dependable tracking solution.

4. Salus Resources: US-based startup Salus Resources offers environmental impact analytics, as well as habitat and species conservation solutions for businesses, state and federal organizations, and nonprofits. Startups provide tool development and modelling solutions for conservation purposes. In addition, Salus Resources' services enable safe operation without affecting wildlife.

5. WonderGene: Italian startup that develops a portable genetics laboratory for nature maintenance research. This solution enables a variety of gene analysis techniques, from DNA extraction to DNA quantification. In addition, the startup allows genetic analysis to be performed directly in the field, saving transportation time and accelerating conservation activities.

Organisation 

Several companies and organizations are actively working to protect endangered species, including giraffes and other animals, through conservation initiatives, habitat restoration, anti-poaching efforts, and research. Below are some key players involved in wildlife conservation:

1. World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the largest and most influential conservation organizations in the world. WWF works in over 100 countries to combat threats to endangered species through projects that include habitat restoration, anti-poaching efforts, and public awareness campaigns. WWF is involved in efforts to save species like the Amur leopard, black rhino, and vaquita, and is also working on preserving giraffe populations across Africa.

2. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

The Wildlife Conservation Society is focused on conserving the world's largest wild places. The WCS has projects across Africa, Asia, and the Americas aimed at protecting wildlife and wild landscapes. Their giraffe conservation efforts are part of a broader initiative to preserve the biodiversity of African ecosystems. WCS also works to protect species like tigers, elephants, and orangutans.

3. Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF)

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation is the only organization in the world focused solely on the conservation and management of giraffes in the wild. GCF works across Africa in countries like Namibia, Uganda, and Kenya to implement giraffe translocations, monitor populations, and raise awareness about the silent extinction facing giraffes. Their projects focus on habitat protection and creating safer environments for giraffes to thrive.

4. The International Rhino Foundation (IRF)

Dedicated to the survival of rhinos, the International Rhino Foundation focuses on protecting black, white, and Sumatran rhinos through anti-poaching programs, community engagement, and habitat restoration. Their work helps safeguard some of the most endangered rhinos in Africa and Asia. The foundation partners with governments and local organizations to secure critical habitats for these species.

5. African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)

The African Wildlife Foundation is committed to protecting wildlife and wild lands across Africa, including endangered species like giraffes, elephants, and rhinos. AWF’s efforts include habitat protection, community conservation initiatives, and working with governments to implement anti-poaching laws. Their giraffe conservation programs focus on preserving their habitats and supporting local communities to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

6. Fauna & Flora International (FFI)

Fauna & Flora International works across more than 40 countries to protect threatened species and ecosystems. FFI has a long history of working with endangered species, including gorillas, leopards, and tigers, as well as conservation efforts aimed at protecting Africa’s giraffes. FFI’s approach includes working with local communities and governments to implement sustainable conservation solutions.

7. Save the Giraffes

Save the Giraffes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giraffe conservation, focusing on raising awareness about the decline in giraffe populations and supporting efforts to protect their habitats. The organization works closely with other conservation groups and local communities to fund projects aimed at reversing the decline of giraffe populations in Africa.

8. Panthera

Panthera is a global organization dedicated to the conservation of wild cats, but their conservation efforts also extend to species sharing habitats with these predators. By focusing on large-scale ecosystem protection, Panthera indirectly helps protect giraffes and other species by securing their habitats and reducing threats like poaching. Their work with leopards and lions often overlaps with giraffe conservation in Africa.

9. Elephant Crisis Fund (ECF)

The Elephant Crisis Fund is a collaborative initiative between Save the Elephants and the Wildlife Conservation Network, focused on combating poaching, reducing demand for ivory, and securing elephant habitats. While their main focus is elephants, many of their conservation efforts also benefit other species that share the same ecosystems, including giraffes.

10. Conservation International (CI)

Conservation International works to protect critical ecosystems that support endangered species. By focusing on biodiversity hotspots and engaging with local governments, CI aims to reduce habitat destruction and promote sustainable land use. Their work in Africa and Southeast Asia benefits endangered species such as giraffes, rhinos, and orangutans.

11. Born Free Foundation

Born Free Foundation works to protect endangered species, prevent animal suffering, and ensure animals live in the wild where they belong. The organization focuses on wildlife rescue, habitat protection, and campaigns against illegal wildlife trade. Their projects benefit a range of species, from big cats to giraffes, in Africa and beyond.

12. Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC)

The Wildlife Justice Commission fights against wildlife crime, such as poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Their work is vital in reducing the threat to many endangered species.

Several accelerators and organizations focus on supporting conservation efforts for endangered species, including initiatives for giraffes and other at-risk animals. These accelerators provide funding, mentorship, and resources to projects that help protect wildlife and their habitats. Some of these include:

13. Wildlife Conservation Accelerator (WCA)

• Focus: Supporting innovative conservation solutions through funding, mentorship, and scaling efforts aimed at protecting endangered species, particularly in Africa.

• Target Areas: Anti-poaching, habitat preservation, and species recovery.

• Website: Wildlife Conservation Accelerator

14 . The Nature Conservancy’s NatureVest

• Focus: Investing in nature-based solutions that protect endangered species and ecosystems. They work with conservation initiatives to leverage impact investing and create scalable solutions.

• Target Areas: Habitat protection, species conservation, and sustainable community development.

• Website: NatureVest

15. ConservationX Labs

• Focus: A global innovation accelerator that works with technologies to address pressing environmental challenges, including protecting endangered species through the use of cutting-edge technology.

• Target Areas: Tech-driven solutions for species protection, wildlife monitoring, and habitat restoration.

• Website: ConservationX Labs

16. African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)

• Focus: AWF supports projects that help conserve endangered species in Africa, including the giraffe, through community-based conservation programs and the reduction of human-wildlife conflict.

• Target Areas: African wildlife conservation, community involvement, and land protection.

• Website: African Wildlife Foundation

17. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Accelerator Program

• Focus: WWF runs various accelerator programs to scale solutions that address the root causes of species extinction, such as habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.

• Target Areas: Wildlife protection, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration.

• Website: WWF Accelerator Program

18. Seacology

• Focus: Working on island-based projects that conserve ecosystems critical to endangered species, such as coral reefs and tropical forests.

• Target Areas: Conservation efforts for endangered species in island habitats.

• Website: Seacology

19. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF)

• Focus: Specifically dedicated to the conservation of giraffes and their habitats, GCF supports numerous projects across Africa to protect giraffe populations and mitigate threats like poaching and habitat loss.

• Target Areas: Giraffe population monitoring, habitat restoration, and anti-poaching efforts.

• Website: Giraffe Conservation Foundation

20. Conservation International’s Accelerator

• Focus: Conservation International supports accelerators that promote sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation, specifically targeting endangered species across the globe.

• Target Areas: Biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and species protection.

• Website: Conservation International

These accelerators play a critical role in driving forward conservation solutions and offer a wealth of resources for projects that focus on endangered species, including giraffes. They can be instrumental in helping scale and fund conservation efforts to ensure the survival of these species.

1. Blue Horizon

• Focus: Blue Horizon supports companies and initiatives that protect biodiversity, with a focus on sustainable food and conservation technologies, including those that indirectly contribute to species protection.

• Target Areas: Sustainable agriculture, reducing deforestation, and promoting biodiversity.

• Website: Blue Horizon

2. Rancher Sustainability Accelerator

• Focus: This accelerator focuses on helping ranchers adopt sustainable practices that improve ecosystem health, protect endangered species, and reduce habitat destruction.

• Target Areas: Sustainable livestock management, reforestation, and species conservation.

• Website: Rancher Sustainability Accelerator

3. The Green Accelerator

• Focus: The Green Accelerator supports startups that work on environmental protection, including biodiversity and species conservation through sustainable business models.

• Target Areas: Environmental innovation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable agriculture.

• Website: The Green Accelerator

4. Wildlife Impact Fund (WIF)

• Focus: This fund accelerates wildlife conservation by providing support to businesses and organizations working on protecting endangered species and habitats, with a focus on sustainable impact.

• Target Areas: Endangered species protection, habitat restoration, and biodiversity conservation.

• Website: Wildlife Impact Fund

5. Conservation Finance Network (CFN)

• Focus: The CFN supports the development of financial models to fund conservation efforts for endangered species, including creating business solutions that contribute to long-term species protection.

• Target Areas: Funding for biodiversity, wildlife habitat preservation, and sustainable conservation.

• Website: Conservation Finance Network

6. Earthshot Prize

• Focus: A global competition aiming to accelerate solutions to the world's greatest environmental challenges, including the protection of endangered species and habitats.

• Target Areas: Innovation in wildlife conservation, climate change, and environmental sustainability.

• Website: Earthshot Prize

7. Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Innovation Accelerator

• Focus: ZSL provides funding and support to innovative solutions aimed at wildlife protection, including conservation technologies and community-based programs for endangered species.

• Target Areas: Species protection, wildlife monitoring, and conservation innovation.

• Website: ZSL Innovation Accelerator

8. Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Innovation Lab

• Focus: This lab accelerates technology-driven solutions and innovative conservation methods that directly impact species protection and habitat preservation, with an emphasis on global biodiversity.

• Target Areas: Wildlife tracking technologies, habitat restoration, and anti-poaching innovations.

• Website: WCS Innovation Lab

Global Launch Base can significantly support endangered species conservation initiatives by providing a platform for collaboration, and innovation. It can help connect conservation-focused startups and organizations with key partners across the public and private sectors, fostering strategic alliances that enhance collective efforts. Through its network, it can facilitate access to funding, whether through investors, grants, or venture capital, enabling organizations to scale their conservation projects. Additionally, Global Launch Base can support technology-driven conservation solutions, connecting startups working on innovative tools like wildlife monitoring systems or anti-poaching technologies with the resources and mentorship needed to expand their impact. By offering guidance and opportunities to scale, Global Launch Base helps ensure that conservation efforts for endangered species

Conclusion

The loss of any species is a tragedy, not just for the animals themselves but for the entire planet. Giraffes and other endangered animals remind us of the fragile balance of our ecosystems and the responsibility we have to protect them. By taking action now, through both global and individual efforts, we can help ensure that future generations will still have the opportunity to witness the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom.

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