Almost everybody realizes we need to protect animals. But not everybody knows why and how do we need to protect them.
The wild animals with which we share our planet are disappearing at an alarming rate. The preservation of these animals is important, not only because they are cute and beautiful, or they can play with us whenever we are bored, but because they have already played a big role in our daily life. Destroying these animals is also like destroying part of us. These animals provide food; they can sometimes control crop pests and diseases, and also keep the food chain going. The extinction of a species could mean the loss of a cure for cancer or loss of new founding of drugs. Each living animal may have values not yet discovered. Therefore, Scientists estimate there are thirty to forty million species on earth. Many of these species symbolizes dozens of genetically distinct populations. We know very little about most species and less than two million are even not yet noticed. Often, we do not even know when a type of animal becomes extinct. Some animals and a few insects are watched and studied. But other species need attention too. Perhaps in them may be found a cure for the common cold or a new organism that will prevent millions of dollars of loss to farmers in their combat against crop diseases. There are many examples of a species' value to society, for example an insect was discovered when frightened produces an excellent insect-repelling chemical, and with this insect repelling chemical many people experienced less mosquito bites. Animals help us almost every time and everyday. It is the time we start doing something back in return.
Protecting our animals counts in our everyday action, we can protect them anytime, and anywhere. Here are some ways we can help:
1.One of the most important ways to help threatened plants and animals survive is to protect their habitats in national parks, nature reserves or wilderness areas. There they can live without too much interference from humans. It is also important to protect habitats outside reserves such as on farms and along roadsides.
2. You can visit a nearby national park or nature reserve. Some national parks have special guided tours and walks for kids. Talk to the rangers to find out whether there are any threatened species and how they are being protected. You and your friends might be able to help the rangers in their conservation work.
3.When you visit a national park, make sure you obey the wildlife code: follow fire regulations; leave your pets at home; leave flowers, birds, eggs, logs and bush rocks where you find them; put your rubbish in a bin or, better still, take it home. And don't take things from animals that do not belong to you.
4.If you have friends who live on farms, encourage them to keep patches of bush as wildlife habitats and to leave old trees standing, especially those with hollows suitable for nesting animals.
5. Some areas have groups which look after local lands and nature reserves. They do this by removing weeds and planting local native species in their place. You could join one of these groups, or even start a new one with your parents and friends. Ask your local parks authority or council for information.
6. If you are in the wild or in a zoo, avoid follow the rules, and don't hurt the animals.
Animals are really important to this planet, without them we can't do many things. So let's treat them the way you want to be treated. Start taking action now!