Wildlife in Danger: Climate Change and Human Activity Threaten Species

The natural world is facing a difficult time as two very different animals, the Pacific gray whale and the desert rain frog, struggle to survive. Both species are dealing with the effects of a changing climate and human activities, while new government rules in the United States make it harder to protect their homes.

In the Pacific Ocean, gray whales are facing a "catastrophic mortality event," according to The Guardian. This means a very large number of whales are dying. Scientists believe the main cause is climate change, which has caused sea ice near Alaska to melt. This ice is important because it supports the food sources that whales need to eat. As the food disappears, the whales are starving. Experts say the number of whales has dropped from 20,000 in 2019 to fewer than 13,000 today. Rick Steiner, a marine expert, noted that the whales are in "very, very serious trouble."

Beyond the lack of food, these whales face other dangers. Some are hit by large ships, while others are affected by pollution or hunting. In Russia, some Indigenous groups hunt the whales, though there are reports that the meat is used for cattle rather than for local food. David Weller, a scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), explained that the environment is changing so fast that it is difficult for the whale population to recover as it has in the past. Environmental groups have asked the U.S. government to give the whales more protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a law designed to save animals from extinction. However, they fear the current administration will not approve this request.

While the whales struggle in the ocean, the desert rain frog faces its own fight for survival in southern Africa. This small, round frog lives in the sand dunes of South Africa and Namibia. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently listed the frog as "vulnerable," meaning it is at risk of disappearing. Dr. Jeanne Tarrant, an expert from the IUCN, said that the frog is a unique species that has adapted to a very harsh environment. Unfortunately, its home is being destroyed by diamond mining and new construction projects. These activities could affect a large part of the frog’s limited range over the next 20 years.

Social media has also created a new problem for the desert rain frog. Videos of the frog making a high-pitched squeak have become popular online. While many people find the sound cute, experts explain that it is actually a "distress call" that the frog makes when it is scared or hurt. Because of these videos, there is a growing interest in keeping the frogs as pets. Conservationists warn that taking these frogs from the wild is dangerous for the species and that it is nearly impossible for people to recreate the frog's natural desert home in a house.

These problems are happening at the same time that the U.S. government is changing how it uses the Endangered Species Act. According to The Guardian, the administration recently removed a rule that protected the habitats where endangered animals live. For 50 years, the law protected not just the animals, but also the forests and lands they need to find food and raise their young. Officials claim this change is necessary to stop the government from interfering with private property rights. However, many experts are worried. Kristen Boyles, an attorney at Earthjustice, stated that for the first time, the government is saying that protected species are not safe from activities that destroy their homes.

This change comes during a time when scientists warn of an "extinction emergency." A 2019 report noted that about one million species are at risk of disappearing. Insects, which are the foundation of many ecosystems, are also in rapid decline. When a habitat is destroyed, it can cause a "domino effect," where the loss of one species leads to the loss of others that depend on it. While public opinion polls show that most people want to protect wildlife and biodiversity, the gap between public support and government action remains wide. As these species face increasing pressure, the world waits to see if new efforts can be made to protect them before it is too late.