Why should humans take responsibility for endangered animals?

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The discussion centers on the importance of saving endangered animals, with participants exploring various reasons for conservation. Key points include the idea that humans have a responsibility to protect species they have endangered through activities like habitat destruction and hunting. The ecological significance of each species is emphasized, as removing one can disrupt entire ecosystems, leading to unforeseen consequences such as population explosions of prey species and subsequent agricultural issues. Participants argue that beauty and the intrinsic value of wildlife are valid reasons for conservation, while others highlight the interconnectedness of species within ecosystems. Some express skepticism about the necessity of saving certain species, questioning the impact of their extinction on the environment. However, the consensus leans towards the belief that preserving biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the health of the planet for future generations. The discussion also touches on the moral obligation to protect all life forms, not just those deemed beautiful or useful, and the potential long-term consequences of allowing species to go extinct.
  • #31
I think it is very a selfish thing for us/ one people , in a single generation to wipe out the amazing diversity, and beauty that is suppost to belong to all generations and all people. There is this unprovable way of thought. I can not prove it to you. It is asserted that each of us( individual) has the responsibility to make the world a better place, and save guarding it so that the next geneation may take their natural inheredence.
 
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  • #32
Bladibla said:
It so happens that many of these dangerous species are endangered (guess why)...

I'll guess- people somehow think that shooting a bear from a safe distance with a high powered rifle, then displaying it's carcass in their living room makes them more of a man. My second guess is people think grinding up the bears testicles and using it as a topping for their sunday will make them more of "a man". I would expect that self defence falls a fair bit lower on the list, though I haven't bothered to look for any numbers (I have much less of a problem with self defence).

heartless said:
Because how would it change the environment if every arachnid were substituted with a lion?

More guessing on my part-this would result in a horrible disaster. I wouldn't get to see it though, I would have several lions in my apartment if this plan went into action and I'm not very close to the door (not that the hallway would be lion-free). These lions would likely be hungry as well, they've just been eating tiny bugs all day.
 
  • #33
I'll guess- people somehow think that shooting a bear from a safe distance with a high powered rifle, then displaying it's carcass in their living room makes them more of a man.
It is also living in the Alaskan wilderness, waiting for days, rubbing deer urine on your boots, setting your stake, being totally quiet, the one-shot-kill (I don't know if this is true for bears), patience, determination, endurance. I'm not a hunter, but I would guess that has to do with it.
My second guess is people think grinding up the bears testicles and using it as a topping for their sunday will make them more of "a man".
Some people also think they taste good. I wish mine would taste better :frown:
 
  • #34
Mk said:
I wish mine would taste better :frown:

Have you tried a mint sauce?
 
  • #35
The natural order of things is that we will be one of the 99.9% of extinct species.

For those who think we should just let nature run its course...
 
  • #36
heartless said:
It may be a stupid question, but it's real, and I can't come up with any good reasons to why should we save endangered animals. Any ideas?

F.ex, Would anything important happen if there were no grizzly bears?
It might depend on the species. I imagine extinction of bumble bees would have a large environmental impact.

Polar bears are the moment are headed for certain extinction. Because they can cross breed with grizzlies there extinction might be buffered. I wonder if the ability to cross breed might permit the species to dwindle for hundreds of years and then rebound if the temperature gets low enough. Or maybe they will pick up some traits from grizzlies that will allow them to survive in a warmer climate. I'm just speculating though.
 
  • #37
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- A new genetically distinct species of hammerhead shark, the ninth recognized species of hammerhead, has been discovered off the South Carolina coast, scientists say.

The new species appears to be rare...[continued]
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1501AP_New_Shark.html

...and is or will be on the list of endangered species. :biggrin:
 
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  • #38
why should we save the endangered animals? that's a really good question? Most people don't really care about the animals and they think that they are less then them when really animals should be treated equally like humans. Us people and some nature diseaters are the reasons why the animals are endangered. we take away their homes because we are making homes for us, buildings to work in, malls to shop and hang out, parks, roads and etc. we kill them for their skin and fur for fashion. we use their flesh to have food. we use their bones or horns for medical things in other places in the world. we use the animals more then we ever thinnk we do. We use them for experaments for make up products, house hold products and etc. We are the biggest predators in the animal kingdom. we need to save the animals because they never asked to get all this torture and killing. they don't know that when they are born they would go through all this and then have the worst moments of their lives before they are going to die. that's why we should save the animals. Because they have rights as much as we do to live on this planet!
 
  • #39
We simply do not have the depth of knowledge required to declare a species as superfluous. A key to a strong ecosystem is biodiversity. Traditionally man has tried to simplify the environment he lives in. The simpler things are the better we can control. Unfortunately, we may be destabilizing the ecosystem by reducing the number of species. A reduced ecosystem is more susceptible to catastrophe.

We just do not know what species hold a key to the next major advance in medicinal chemicals. Who knows maybe the cure for cancer lies in Tiger dung. Be kind of frustrating to make such a discovery just as the last of the species dies.
 
  • #40
A lot of you want to save them from what I read. I do not. I personally believe life, this planet, and Nature would be better off if we more embrace survival of the fittest. If polar bears can't make it in the current (man-dominated) environment, that's just tough and if the extinction of one or more species causes some catastrophe, then fine with me. Life was built on catastrophies. Same I believe should hold for every other species on Earth including H.sapiens. But we don't do this do we. We save everything in sight and at the same time, preserve the unfit genotypes they contain which in turn manifests in many, many of the ills plaguing this planet at present. Hail the fit gene and I am a Darwinist.

Just putting my opinion in the pot. That's all.
 
  • #41
jackmell said:
Hail the fit gene and I am a Darwinist.
But you still have your tetanus shots

I welcome our viral overlords.
 
  • #42
mgb_phys said:
But you still have your tetanus shots

I welcome our viral overlords.

Good point and no doubt you and others could bring up similar ideas. It wouldn't change my extreme Darwinist opinion about the matter though: hail the strong, hail the fighter, hail the warrior, hail the survivor.

I do now wish to get in trouble in here. I see way too many strike-outs. If this is distasteful, I can easily shut up.
 
  • #43
Some famous naturalist was being interviewed about how man was the dominant species and what effect we were having on the planet and other animals. His reply wasn't quite what the newsreader was expecting, from memory something like:

We aren't in charge, bacteria are, it's their planet - always has been - always will be.
We don't even figure in their world - all other life just scrapes by on their waste products.
They thrived in a reducing CO atmosphere, thrived in an oxidizing O2 atmosphere, lived on a frozen planet and an almost molten one. There's nothing we can do a the planet that would even mildly inconvenience bacteria.
 
  • #44
first we come along and kill them all next we take their skin/fur/tusk/whatever and sell them to get money. then we cut/burn/bury their habitat and drive them out. then we catch the ones left and stick them in cages to earn more money. now they are all dying out in god knows where and you ask why we should help them? because the reason they are even endangered is all our fault. that's why. sometimes i am ashamed to be a human
 

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