Endangered Species

The programme is divisible into five segments: (1) Introduction The concepts of "endangered species" and "highly endangered species" are introduce in the context of Chapter 187 Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance of Laws of Hong Kong. The term "endangered species" is defined according to Red List of Threatened Species published by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). (2) Red Lists An introduction to the red lists of threatened animals and plants published by IUCN. Some of the important conclusions are high-lighted as follows: ?763 species of animals and plants have been declared extinct in the last 500 years; ?Nowadays, 50 species of animals and plants have been found extinct in wild; - 11,039 species of animals and plants are threatened; - 1,938 species of animals and plants have been declared as critically endangered; - 2,616 species of animals and plants have been declared as endangered. Three schemes for assessing endangered species are introduced and the history and purpose of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) are highlighted. (3) Highly Endangered Species The definition provided by IUCN in 2000 Red List of Threatened Species is adopted and a number of highly endangered species are selected for illustration. (4) Endangered Species The definition provided by IUCN in 2000 Red List of Threatened Species is adopted and a number of highly endangered species are selected for illustration. (5) Why are They Endangered? Five factors are found responsible. Each factor is reviewed in detail. (i) Physiological defect of the species (ii) Ecological defect of the species (iii)Human destruction of the ecosystem (iv) Environmental pollution (v)Over-exploitation of wildlife The segment ends with an appeal to let wildlife survive freely and safely in their natural habitats.