The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species has reported that the giant panda is no longer endangered. It has gone from an endangered status to a "vulnerable" status. There has been a focus on the giant pandas since the 1970s when China realized that there were only 2,400 giant pandas worldwide. In 1992, there was an increase of habitats that protected 67% of the panda population and helped take them off the endangered list.
The eastern gorilla population has been bumped from endangered to critically endangered. Eastern gorillas are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are widely hunted which has led to a 70% decline in their population over the last 20 years. Additional threats to the gorillas include habitat loss and illegal mining.
While I am clearly excited that the giant panda population is no longer extinct, I worry about the eastern gorilla population. I wonder what steps will be taken to protect this beautiful animal from extinction. As of right now, there does not appear that a plan is in place.
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/04/world/giant-panda-endangered-downgrade-gorillas-decline/index.html
it is so great that pandas are on the incline! but when one place goes up, another must go down. which is very unfortunate for the eastern gorillas. As sad as it is, no species can last forever. :(
ReplyDeleteIts kinda sad how gorillas are In A endanger crisis right now, But yet pandas are available to reproduce now and help society somehow. Hopefully gorillas dont go to an extinct.
ReplyDeleteWow that's amazing! With this kind of effort, I can only dream as too what we can save next
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that another animal has been brought back from the brink of extinction, this the kind of news I look for. But on the other hand, it makes me really sad that the eastern gorilla is now in critical endangerment. I guess nature takes trades.
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