Do you think we have an obligation to protect endangered species?

Question

But if we do...aren't we "messing" with natural selection?

Im shocked at you Aaron!!

Answer 1

This is one of the better questions I have ever seen on this site. Thank you.

It is popular in modern culture to "save the planet." Many people get involved not because it is a good cause but because it is a great way to look good.

We get caught up in consevation, which is not a bad thing in intself, but forget that ninety percent (90%) of every species that has ever lived has ALREADY gone extinct. North America is literally crawling with the bones of animals like Wooly Mammoths, Giant Ground Sloths, Giant Cave Bears, Ancient Camels, Giant Bison, and Sabertoothed cats. Where are these animals today? Many extinct species died off long before humans ever arrived on the scene.

I am personally saddened every time I hear of another human caused animal extinction, but after studying evolution and anthropology extensively I can't help but say that "that is the way things go."

In nature animals go extinct when a) their environment changes and they cannot adapt, or b) another aniamal out competes them.

The inability of other animals to compete with humans is a natural result. We carry a trait (high intelligence) that they cannot compete with. That DOES NOT mean we should not care, but we shouldn't condemn ourselves to the extent we do.
WE are animals. WE do what animals do, i.e., breed and consume as much as possible.

(IMPORTANT PART) I personally feel that because the odds are so rediculously in our favor that we should help our animal brethren. However, we are not criminals for causing extinctions. We just need to be more aware of the consequences of our actions, for ourselves and the world.

This is long but I hope this helped.

Answer 2

No - natural selection doesn't account for fur hunters, trophy hunters or mass slaughter on the scale humans represent.

All life is connected. When an animal becomes extinct, the world changes, never to be the same again. Extinction has far reaching consequences in the balance of Nature.

Yes, we have an obligation to protect endangered species, because in most cases, we are the reason they're endangered.

Answer 3

The reason why these animals are in danger has nothing to do with natural selection in most instances. Most endangered animals are so because of humans.

Answer 4

Natural selection vs. manmade selection pressures? I give you the beautiful Amur Leopard as an example. Lives in southern Russia. Biologists are doing all they can to protect the 50 or so left in the wild, due to clearcutting and man-induced toxins.

The USA nearly lost its national bird, the bald eagle, due to overuse of DDT. We rightly took steps to restore it.

Answer 5

That depends. If we keep living our lives polluting the air and everything else that is creating global warming, we as humans will soon be the endangered species, so who will protect us? answer me that!

Answer 6

Only IF the species are not a danger to man, like bears cougars wolves to name a few, and any animal that is a potential danger to man.

Answer 7

I live in an area where there are gazillions of fire ants and the sooner the little bast*rds are endangered, the better life will be!

Answer 8

While your method is undoubtedly an effective one, I would support it only in the instance of things like rhino horn, taken to make a profit. Most poaching in Africa is, I suspect, for bush meat to feed a too-large family. Your approach striles me as a bit harsh, Inspector Javert. - - Jean Valjean

Answer 9

I think we have an obligation to not take more than we need and to be good stewards of what God has given us. It is greed, pure and simple, that is destroying the rainforest and driving animals to extinction.

Answer 10

We're messing if we hunt wild animals for their skins or meat. That's how they become endangered.