Speak Up For the Voiceless, an international animal rescue foundation, says that the top 5 causes of animal extinction are habitat fragmentation, agriculture, human overpopulation, deforestation, and poaching and hunting. These issues cause less biodiversity which leads to less adaptability and less resources for animals as well as humans.

Habitat Fragmentation: Habitat fragmentation is the division of a large habitat into smaller separate habitats. This often leads to the eventual disappearance of the habitat entirely. WWF Global, a conservation organization, says that habitat loss is the largest threat to species. What leads to habitat fragmentation is human expansion and population growth. There are also many disagreements between scientists and politicians on how to deal with habitat conservation. Biohabitats, a conservation website, says that to help stop habitat fragmentation you can “become involved in local land use and zoning issues, keep your local politicians informed about the impacts of habitat fragmentation, and support conservation planning and ecological restoration initiatives.”

Agriculture: The World Animal Foundation states “The animal agriculture industry’s pollution of our air, water and land, along with deforestation and soil degradation, all contribute to habitat loss and species extinction.” One Green Planet, a conservation website, says that animal agriculture affects 14% of endangered species and livestock takes up 45% of the world’s land, many of this land being non-native to the livestock. One Green Planet also says that to help lower the impact on endangered species people can eat a more plant-based diet. This does not mean one needs to go vegetarian or vegan, one can cut back on meat consumption or buy meats not raised in factory farms where efficiency is put over the welfare of animals and waste is often spilled into water supplies of the area and releases harmful gases. Animal Freedom, an animal rights organization, says that to lessen harmful animal agriculture you can not eat foreign animal products,and buy meat and give your business to businesses that are for animal rights, doing these cuts down on the harmful greenhouse gasses that are produced in animal agriculture. Other ways are vote for candidates against factory farming, protest against factory farming, write to newspapers and magazines, support organizations against factory farming, and let people know your stance on animal agriculture.

Human Overpopulation: The National Wildlife Foundations says that “population growth and resulting human activity is encroaching upon migratory pathways critical to the survival of varied species.” Overpopulation has a large effect on global warming, environmental pollution, and habitat loss, all causes of animal extinction. Earth in Transition, a human overpopulation information website, gives many ways of how people can help with overpopulation. One of the largest ways is to stay informed about endangered species that live in the area. By keeping up on these species people can see what is happening with the species in their area and can inform others of what is happening. Last year Earth in Transition gave out “endangered species condoms” to get people talking about overpopulation. Another way to help is to host or attend events informing people about human overpopulation and it’s affect on species.

Deforestation: The Rainforest Foundation, a non-profit organization to support rainforests and the indigenous people who live in them, says “the current rate of destruction is about 1 acre each second.” This means that 86,400 acres are lost every day. National Geographic says that 80% of earth’s land animals and plants live in forests. This means that deforestation causes large habitat loss. Because of this, the animals living in these areas, many of them already endangered or on the edge of endangerment, lose shelter and food. This causes a reduction in breeding so the species are at lower levels. Scientists and conservation groups have many ways that people can help to stop deforestation. Recycling, using less or no paper, eating less meat, and buying organically are the main ways.

Poaching and Hunting: According to the Humane Society, for every animal legally killed in hunting, one is killed illegally by poaching. This includes endangered and non endangered animals as well as animals that are legal to hunt and not legal to hunt. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says that most wildlife trade is from legal hunting but there is still a large amount of poaching and it has caused exploitation, the second largest threat to direct threat to species. This exploitation is a big problem because not only does it affect species, but it also affects humans. Poaching or an excess of legal hunting from people not from rural areas in poorer countries causes a decrease in species that people of that area use for food. The WWF also says exploitation of animals can cause “serious disturbances to the complex web of life.” This means that poaching and hunting has worldwide consequences. While it is difficult for people to directly affect the hunting/poaching industry, a couple ways to help is signing petitions against poaching, donate to conservation organizations, or to volunteer at anti-poaching events.

Animal extinction is a growing problem in the world, and efforts to stop or decrease it benefit not only the animals but also humans and the world as a whole.