How Do Animals Become Endangered?

Endangered species are the animals that are considered to be at risk of becoming extinct, as determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Species are often given an endangered status if their numbers drop to dangerously low levels, if they are threatened by environmental factors, or if their habitat is at risk.

• Species are closely monitored by both the International Union for Conservation of Nature as well as national agencies in order to determine the level of risk of extinction.


• The agencies' first priority is to consider the species population. Species that have current populations that are too low to successfully repopulate themselves are given priority in determining conservation status.


• Habitat loss is the next factor considered by conservation agencies. Habitat loss, which is defined as the loss of the ecosystems that the species lives in, is the leading cause of species endangerment. This problem occurs due to several natural and unnatural causes, some of which are construction and timber harvesting.


• Competition and predation are also leading causes of endangerment. These events often occur when invasive species are introduced to an environment, which is a problem because the native inhabitants may have no natural defense or ability to compete with alien species.


• Pollution contributes to the endangerment of species by contaminating groundwater, harming the species' food sources, and even destroying entire habitats in some cases.


• Conservation status is also affected by disease. Diseases may naturally occur, or could be transmitted by invasive species or caused by human activities. Some diseases can severely threaten a species with no natural defenses.