Endangered animals are already put on an ever growing list because of the low numbers of remaining descendants of that particular species that still exist on this earth. Natural disaster especially such as forest fires and hurricanes have the potential to threaten these endangered species to the point of extinction. When lighting struck the Pinaleno Mountains in southeast Arizona, igniting a 48,000 acre fire that reduced an ancient forest to blackened poles and stumps, a proportionally large number of an existing group of already endangered rare squirrels disappeared into the ashes. Only 35 out of the previously existing 252 remained pushing the species that much further to complete extinction. A large wildfire in Southern California completely decimated the surrounding environment pushing species like the mountain yellow-legged frog, endangered salmon and steelhead and the Armargosa vole further into complete extinction of an entire species. The fires destroy the animals habitats including their homes, nesting grounds, food, and winter shelters. Such destruction can only lead to further deaths along the line making the lives of these already endangered animals a huge concern. Another catastrophic disaster, Hurricane Harvey, wiped out 24 of the remaining 29 rare prairie chickens being tracked at the Attwater Prairies Chicken National Wildlife Refuge near Houston.

The effect of these natural disasters on the local environment is tremendous and cannot be ignored. While humans can prepare for these disaster by warnings and evacuations as well as relocation for many animals, especially for these endangered creatures, they have a singular habitat. The destruction of these habitats by forest fires and hurricanes can destroy the remains of an entire species of animals on this planet which would be a huge loss of life and significant blow to the scientific community studying animal life. The fact that these occurrences happen in fall season only adds to the dangers as these endangered species no longer have homes to hibernate and gain protection during the cold winter where food is scarce and shelter becomes much more important. Animals without homes or food will die out in the cold and for the few that remain from their individual species this can be a devastating blow as relocation cannot guarantee the same food sources the animals are used to and the same temperature and environmental comfortability ideal for their survival.

 

Citation:

Albeck-ripka, Livia. “For an Endangered Animal, a Fire or Hurricane Can Mean the End.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Oct. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/10/25/climate/fires-hurricanes-endangered-animals.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate&action=click&contentCollection=climate®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront.