Wildlife in Danger: Climate Change and Human Activity Threaten Species

Across the globe, wildlife is facing an increasingly difficult fight for survival. From the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean to the dry sand dunes of southern Africa, animals are struggling to adapt to environments that are changing faster than ever before. Scientists and environmental groups are raising alarms about the future of several species, noting that human activities are a major factor in these declines.

In the Pacific Ocean, gray whales are facing what experts call a “catastrophic mortality event”—a situation where a very large number of animals die in a short period. According to The Guardian, the population of these whales has dropped significantly, falling from 20,000 in 2019 to fewer than 13,000 this year. Rick Steiner, a marine ecologist, noted that the whales are in very serious trouble. The whales, which travel long distances between Mexico and Alaska to feed, are arriving at their destination only to find that their food sources are disappearing. This is largely because climate change is causing sea ice around Alaska to melt, which disrupts the ocean environment the whales depend on.

Determining the exact number of deaths is difficult, as scientists can only count the whales that wash up on shore, known as “strandings.” However, the number of strandings has risen sharply. While the average number of strandings between 2006 and 2023 was 43 per year, that number reached 179 in 2025. Beyond the lack of food, these whales face other dangers, including being struck by ships and pollution from oil drilling. Environmental groups have asked the government to provide better protection for the whales under the Endangered Species Act—a law designed to protect plants and animals that are at risk of disappearing forever. However, experts say that getting this approval is difficult as current government policies focus more on industrial expansion than wildlife conservation.

While the gray whales struggle in the ocean, a very different creature is facing its own fight for survival on land. The desert rain frog, a small and unusual animal found only in a narrow area of South Africa and Namibia, has recently been classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This frog has evolved to live in harsh, dry sand dunes, but its habitat is now under threat. According to The Guardian, large-scale projects like diamond mining and the construction of new ports are expected to destroy a significant portion of the frog’s home over the next two decades.

In addition to habitat loss, the desert rain frog faces an unexpected threat from the internet. The frog is famous for a high-pitched squeak that sounds like a dog toy. While many people find this sound cute, Dr. Jeanne Tarrant of the IUCN explains that the noise is actually a distress call, often made when the animal is scared or being poked. After videos of the frog went viral on social media, there has been a surge in online searches about how to buy one as a pet. Conservationists warn that these frogs are not suitable pets and that taking them from the wild could be devastating for the species.

Experts emphasize that the desert rain frog is a unique part of our natural world. It spends much of its time buried under the sand to stay cool and moist, emerging only at night to find insects. The way it survives—by absorbing moisture from fog through its skin—is a remarkable example of nature’s ability to adapt. However, Dr. Tarrant notes that even the most resilient animals have limits. When the environment changes too quickly, or when human activities destroy the specific conditions they need, they cannot simply adapt their way out of danger.

Looking ahead, the situation for both the gray whale and the desert rain frog remains uncertain. For the whales, the outcome depends heavily on whether governments will choose to enforce stronger environmental protections or continue to prioritize industrial interests. For the desert rain frog, the challenge lies in protecting its limited habitat from mining and preventing the illegal pet trade from removing individuals from the wild. As scientists continue to monitor these populations, the message from the environmental community is clear: without immediate and coordinated action, the world risks losing these species forever. The survival of these animals is not just about protecting individual creatures, but about maintaining the health of the entire planet.