April 28, 2016
Rebecca Dorantes
GCE Lab School
1535 N. Dayton
Chicago, IL 60602
Director , Dan Ashe
U.5. Fish & Wildlife Service
1849 C. Street, NW, ROOM 3331 Washington.
While hiking in the Galapagos Islands, I noticed a small baby sea lion hiding under a shade. Of course my friends and I went over to adore it’s cute face, but instead of leaving in smiles, we left in tears. We learned that the sea lion was disowned by its mother because it made contact with humans. It was just waiting there to die. I’m sure you have also heard about the dolphin that was taken out of the water in Argentina, being passed around just so people can take pictures of it. In no way did that dolphin deserve to die and it could have been prevented. Events like these need to stop happening.
I’m RD and I am a junior at GCE Lab School in Chicago Illinois. As an organization that protects endangered species, there needs to be brought more attention to how humans interact with animals, because although some animals aren’t necessarily becoming extinct, they are dying. There also needs to be more done with how pollution takes the lives of these innocent creatures. You’re doing the best you can, but people need to be more educated and informed on how they need to interact with these animals. I know that there are fines to punish people, but in my eyes, the punishment needs to be something more extreme. There are usually signs in place telling people the guidelines on how to view an animal, but some people do not listen and are breaking the law. When someone is prosecuted of a crime, they are sent to jail. I think this should come into place especially because an animal can not speak for itself.
Currently, 99% of threatened species are at risk from human activities, mainly those driving habitat loss, introduction of exotic species, and global warming. It’s a no brainer that most of the species that are dying and becoming extinct are because of us humans. About 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals are killed by the 14 billion pounds of garbage that is dumped in their home every year. Huge cargo ships go around the ocean dumping poison every year. How would you feel if a huge truck dumped those 14 billion pounds of garbage on you? Actually, you wouldn’t feel anything because you’d be dead!
Many might think that going to jail over hurting an animal is insane and stupid, but it’s the total opposite! These companies that are dumping their poison into our oceans should be sent to courts and be prosecuted. Many sea animals mistake garbage for food and die, which is why it’s literally poison caused by humans. In a way this is also affecting us humans. Plastic toxins end up on fish, which eventually ends up on our plates and into our body.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 helped about 28 species come off the endangered species list, but out of 2,000 species. Something needs to be changed about that. This all goes back to educating more people about these animals, because citizens can also help. Make this act and your organization more known to the public. I honestly did not know about the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service until earlier this year, and I’m sure there are still people out there not knowing about you guys. Make your laws more known and let people know that these laws are serious!
As citizens, we are both a problem and an aid for these endangered species. Our voices can be an advocate for them. As a director,take charge of how well known your organization is. Have more public announcements, have public fairs to bring awareness to people, and most importantly, be more strict when it comes to punishing those who break your laws! Again, your organization already does a great job, but please have a louder voice for these animals.
GCE Lab School
1535 N. Dayton
Chicago, IL 60602
Director , Dan Ashe
U.5. Fish & Wildlife Service
1849 C. Street, NW, ROOM 3331 Washington.
While hiking in the Galapagos Islands, I noticed a small baby sea lion hiding under a shade. Of course my friends and I went over to adore it’s cute face, but instead of leaving in smiles, we left in tears. We learned that the sea lion was disowned by its mother because it made contact with humans. It was just waiting there to die. I’m sure you have also heard about the dolphin that was taken out of the water in Argentina, being passed around just so people can take pictures of it. In no way did that dolphin deserve to die and it could have been prevented. Events like these need to stop happening.
I’m RD and I am a junior at GCE Lab School in Chicago Illinois. As an organization that protects endangered species, there needs to be brought more attention to how humans interact with animals, because although some animals aren’t necessarily becoming extinct, they are dying. There also needs to be more done with how pollution takes the lives of these innocent creatures. You’re doing the best you can, but people need to be more educated and informed on how they need to interact with these animals. I know that there are fines to punish people, but in my eyes, the punishment needs to be something more extreme. There are usually signs in place telling people the guidelines on how to view an animal, but some people do not listen and are breaking the law. When someone is prosecuted of a crime, they are sent to jail. I think this should come into place especially because an animal can not speak for itself.
Currently, 99% of threatened species are at risk from human activities, mainly those driving habitat loss, introduction of exotic species, and global warming. It’s a no brainer that most of the species that are dying and becoming extinct are because of us humans. About 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals are killed by the 14 billion pounds of garbage that is dumped in their home every year. Huge cargo ships go around the ocean dumping poison every year. How would you feel if a huge truck dumped those 14 billion pounds of garbage on you? Actually, you wouldn’t feel anything because you’d be dead!
Many might think that going to jail over hurting an animal is insane and stupid, but it’s the total opposite! These companies that are dumping their poison into our oceans should be sent to courts and be prosecuted. Many sea animals mistake garbage for food and die, which is why it’s literally poison caused by humans. In a way this is also affecting us humans. Plastic toxins end up on fish, which eventually ends up on our plates and into our body.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 helped about 28 species come off the endangered species list, but out of 2,000 species. Something needs to be changed about that. This all goes back to educating more people about these animals, because citizens can also help. Make this act and your organization more known to the public. I honestly did not know about the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service until earlier this year, and I’m sure there are still people out there not knowing about you guys. Make your laws more known and let people know that these laws are serious!
As citizens, we are both a problem and an aid for these endangered species. Our voices can be an advocate for them. As a director,take charge of how well known your organization is. Have more public announcements, have public fairs to bring awareness to people, and most importantly, be more strict when it comes to punishing those who break your laws! Again, your organization already does a great job, but please have a louder voice for these animals.
Citations:
"Endangered Species Act | Overview." Endangered Species. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2016.
"Endangered Species." National Geographic Education. N.p., 17 Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Apr. 2016.
