HUMAN NEEDS VS.

ENDANGERED ANIMALS
Sharifah Norsukhairin1, Nadia Azreen2
Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor.

3 Conflicting Attitudes
1. Believe that human needs should take priority over the needs of other species. 2. Believe that it is important to preserve other species because they may someday be useful to humans as sources of food, medicine, or knowledge. 3. Believe that biodiversity should be protected because all living things are vital parts of the web of life and have a right to exist, regardless of their value to human beings.

Causes of Extinction
1. Destruction of habitats 2. Overhunting for wildlife trade 3. Animal testing

Destruction of Habitats Benefits on Human?

Expansion of human population Need for living space Built of mines, dams Demand for resources Logging activities Manufacturing wood products Built of commercials, high-rise buildings, roads Need for income, job opportunity
Clear land for agriculture Need for food / export for foreign exchange

Destruction of Habitats The Issue

Forcing animals to relocate. Move into nearby residential areas looking for food or shelter.

Overhunting / Illegal Wildlife Trade Benefits on Human?

Food

Clothing and ornaments (Picture) leather, furs, feathers, skins, etc.

Sports and entertainment falconry, trophy hunting, circus show Traditional medicines Collections wildlife specimens are collected by museums and private individuals (Picture)

Animal Hunting The Issue

In circus: Confined to small cages.
Animals obtained by capturing since they were babies. Trainer use electric prods, sticks and chains to beat (Picture). Silly tricks often lead to the injury of the animal involved. Their teeth knocked out with hammer.

Is it too late for the tiger?

Elephant abuse in Thailand, use in circus

Snakes have become somewhat of a food trend in China in recent years

A Dog Carcass Being Prepared in Beijing

Animal Testing
...something that most people know about, but don't bring it up. Rats, mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, goats, sheep, cats, dogs, pigs, monkeys, primate, birds, fish, etc. Class A specifically breed; expensive Class B random sources excess animals from the zoo or caught in the wild (preferable)

Animal Testing Benefits on Human

Biomedical research Product testing Education Trauma exercises

Soap & detergent test on monkey

Animal Testing The Issue

Animal rights activists

animal testing is cruel and inhumane.

Mentally and physically abused. Held captive in cages with no outside exposure. When they are finished being used, they will be killed.

Skin irritancy test on rabbit

Those animals have their eyes held open with chemicals poured in them to see how long it takes to make them go blind.

Opposing Viewpoint
Along the way, wed likely lose some of our most basic freedoms: to consume whatever we can afford to, to prosper in the global free market, etc. Animals HAVE NO RIGHTS. Not naturally, anyway.

What should we do?

Voice opinion on issues like indiscriminate development, illegal logging and poaching;

Not buying wildlife clothes and souvenirs such as elephant-skin wallets and tiger-tooth amulets;
Avoid buying exotic wildlife that is traded as pets; Boycott all wild meat restaurants; Request for herbal alternatives instead of wildlifebased medicines. When the buying stops, the killing can, too.

Conclusion
Should we continue to clear cut forests for the sake of human consumption? Is it right for humans to knowingly cause the extinction of a species for the convenience of humanity?

What else should be done to protect those animals from extinction?

Are there enough actions have been taken by the community levels?