Earth's mammals risk extinction!

  Earth's mammals risk extinction!
By Jennifer, Marie-Ange, Benjamin, Jérôme

According to a recent press release from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 20% of mammals on Earth are endangered or vulnerable.

"Within our lifetime hundreds of species could be lost as a result of our own actions" says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, general manager of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The causes of the threat can be explained by hunting and destruction of their habitat by the humans. We can consider for example the Cuba Crocodile, a freshwater animal. Its meat is used in restaurants and its skin for clothing.

 Another example in Europe is the Iberian Lynx, native to parts of Spain and Portugal. The species is in decline and has actually an adult population of no more than 143. Vehicles, constructions of ressorts and farms are the consequences of the threat.

 The same occurs with the Caspian Seal. 90% of its population declined over the last century due to hunting and loss of its habitat. « A frightening sign of what is happening to the ecosystems where they live » adds Julia Marton-Lefèvre. He uses the winter ice sheets to give birth and nurse pups. Since 2005 the number of seal pups born decreased rapidly. Nowadays only 6,000-7,000 seals remain.

 Based on the UN Environment program, plastic debris cause the deaths or more than a million of seabirds every year, as well as more than 100,000 marine mammals. Syringes, cigarette lighters and toothbrushes have been found inside the stomachs of dead seabirds, which prevent them from food.

 If we have to believe that plastic constitues 90% of all rubbish floating in the oceans, this poses a risk to human health too! Hundred of millions of tiny plastic pellets or needles are lost every year into the sea. These pollutants act as chemical sponges and enter in the food chain. If we consider the fact that these materials go into these animals, it can also go into our dinner plate!