Urban Endangerment
We ’ ve shown you some ways to help your city ecosystem , but how do we help the animals that are disappearing because cities are still growing ?
In 2007 , 50 percent of the people on our planet lived in cities . According to one report , by 2030 , that number may jump to 60 percent with an extra two billion city residents !
In many areas , cities are expanding into wild spaces . These cities require more natural resources to function . This is bad news for the wildlife nearby .
Have you studied the word “ vertebrate ” in science class ? Vertebrates are animals that have backbones . Mammals , fish , birds , reptiles , and amphibians are all in this group . Almost 10 percent of vertebrates have been listed as " endangered " due to the fast growth of cities . That means the species is disappearing and needs our help .
What types of animals are most affected by the growth of cities ? Species that are unique to a certain place , like an island , nation , or other limited area , are most often in danger of becoming extinct . Galapagos tortoises and the lemurs of Madagascar are both endangered . These species only exist in limited natural spaces and cannot be found anywhere else on Earth . Once their habitat is gone , they have no place to go .
There is hope , of course ! There are conservation groups who work to introduce these limited species to other areas . Governments , city planners and conservationists can also work together to plan more earth-friendly cities . Together , they can make sure growing cities don ’ t build on important wildlife habitats and also designate protected places for wildlife like reserves and parks . Many larger cities are working to help wildlife by carving out places for wildlife habitats and planting trees . Cities can also help wildlife by working toward renewable energy sources , like windmills and solar panels , to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution of important animal habitats . Through these efforts , we are creating ways for the natural and city worlds to coexist .
What can you do to help ?
Learn about endangered species : The first step to helping endangered species is learning about how interesting and important they are .
Visit a national park , nature reserve or zoo . These protected lands provide habitat to many native wildlife , birds , fish and plants . They also assist with conservation efforts !
Get involved by volunteering at your local nature center , zoo or wildlife refuge . Volunteering is a great hands-on way to help and learn what else you can do .
Encourage your family to buy sustainable products . Sustainable products are things made from resources that can be renewed at the same rate they are used .
Raise money for important conservation programs . The Louisville Zoo has a great list of conservation programs you can help at louisvillezoo . org / wildlifepartners
Did you know ?
Did you know ? The Louisville Zoo donates 25 cents from every general admission ticket sold and one dollar from every Zoo membership to wildlife conservation partners . Contributions aid field conservation efforts , species recovery , habitat preservation and many other important speciesfocused conservation efforts at home and globally .