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Introduction to Wildlife
Next Generation Science/Common Core Standards Addressed!
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HS‐LS2‐6. Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex
interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of
organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new
ecosystem. [Clarification Statement: Examples of changes in ecosystem
conditions could include modest biological or physical changes, such as
moderate hunting or a seasonal flood; and extreme changes, such as volcanic
eruption or sea level rise.
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HS‐LS2‐7.
Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species’
chances to, survive and reproduce. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on: (1)
distinguishing between group and individual behavior, (2) identifying evidence
supporting the outcomes of group behavior, and (3) developing logical and
reasonable arguments based on evidence. Examples of group behaviors could
include flocking, schooling, herding, and cooperative behaviors such as hunting,
migrating, and swarming.
Bell Work/Learning Objectives
• Define endangerment and extinction.
• Describe how wildlife becomes
endangered.
• List examples of endangered species.
• Explain how wildlife species are
managed.
• Describe the endangered Species Act.
Terms to Know
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Endangered Species
Endangered Species Act
Endangerment
Extinct
Rare Species
Threatened Species
What can you do?
• Suppose your expensive, newly planted
trees are being eaten by an
endanagered species of birds.
• You can not kill the birds because that
would be illegal.
• You have contacted the local fish and
wildlife agency, but they are busy and
can’t address your situation for at least
two to three weeks. What can you do?
What can you do?
• Break into small groups, build a list
of solutions.
• Share your solutions by writing them
on the board for a class discussion.
What are endangerment & extinction?
• When a living thing can no longer adapt
to the world it lives in it ceases to exist.
• This could be due to food shortages,
pollution, destruction of habitat, hunting
pressure or failure to reproduce.
• Extinct- a species that has disappeared
from the Earth.
• Endangerment- any threat to wildlife
species that would lead to its extinction.
What are endangerment & extinction?
• A threatened species is a species of
wildlife with low population numbers
and may become endangered.
• They are not in immediate danger of
becoming extinct.
What are endangerment & extinction?
• A rare species is one that only exists
in small numbers.
• If not managed well a rare species
may become threatened.
• An endangered species is one that
is in immediate danger of extinction.
How do animals become endangered
or extinct?
• Reasons for endangerment & extinction
can be grouped in several categories:
– Pollution
– Destruction of Habitat
– Urban sprawl (the expanding of towns and cities)
– Introduction of new exotic species-competition
– Over exploitation
– Failure to reproduce
– Food Shortages
• Native species are those plants and
animals that are part of a specific
geographic area and have been part
of the biological landscape for a
long period of time.
• Exotic species are introduced by
humans.
What are exotic species and how do
they effect our wildlife?
• Exotic species are harmful when
they prey on natural species or
compete for food.
• In some cases the exotic species
brings with it new diseases the
natural species cannot deal with.
– For example most of the Desert Bighorn sheep in
New Mexico died from diseases borne by
domestic sheep.
What is exploitation?
• A species may become endangered
due to the rate in which the species
is being used.
–Picture the unrestricted harvest of
whales during the early and middle
parts of the 20th century.
–This lead to restrictions and laws on
whaling.
Exploitation!
What can we do?
–Repopulation of native wildlife.
–Reintroduction of wildlife into their
natural habitat.
–Plant additional food sources.
–Construct safe environments where
they can breed and give birth.
–Manage the use of chemicals.
–Move the animals to less polluted, less
populated areas.
Why Save Endangered Species?
• A slow growing tree found in the
ancient forest of the Pacific
Northwest, once considered a trash
tree, was recently identified as a
promising treatment for ovarian and
breast cancers.
• Digitalis is a drug derived from the
purple foxglove, it’s used to treat
heart disease.
Why Save Endangered Species?
• In the 1970’s genetic material from a
wild corn species in Mexico was
used to stop a leaf fungus that had
previously wiped out 15% of the
U.S. corn crop.
Why Save Endangered Species?
• Commercial and recreational salmon
fishing in the Pacific Northwest provides
60,000 jobs and $1 billion dollars
annually and is the center of Pacific
Northwest Native American culture.
• This industry is in trouble as salmon
decline due to habitat degration from
dams, clear cutting, and overgrazing
along streams.
What is the Endangered Species Act?
• A federal law established in 1966
that sets regulations regarding
endangered and threatened wildlife
species.
• Congress provides money to the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to
help support the care and
management of these species.
Facts about endangered species
• More than one and one half million
species exist on the earth today.
• There are more than 1,000 animal
species endangered worldwide.
Facts about endangered species
• In the U.S., 735 species of plants,
496 species of animals are listed as
threatened or endangered.
• 266 of these listed species have
recovery plans under development.
What are some “Endangered
Species” organizations?
• National Audubon Society’s
Endangered Species Campaign
• Endangered Species Program-U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Services
• National Wildlife Federation
• World Conservation Monitoring
Centre
• Wildlife Conservation Society
What Can Agriculture Do?
• Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico appreciate
the environment and the wildlife found there.
• Wildlife is a renewable resource that is managed by
most agriculturists.
• Water development and habitat improvement
benefit not only domestic livestock but wildlife as
well.
• Midwest farmers have returned thousands of acres
of marginal farm land to water habitat of migrating
waterfowl.
• FFA members in many chapters make wildlife
issues a part of the POA activities.
The End