There are currently over 1,800 species of animals and plants worldwide now listed as threatened and endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Thousands more in danger of extinction unless they are protected. Some of them are inhabitants of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.

Recently, Democratic US Senator for California Dianne Feinstein introduced a resolution to designate today as ‘Endangered Species Day,’ the purpose of which is to help raise awareness about the continuing threats to endangered wildlife, fish and plants.

The goal is to educate the public about the importance of protecting threatened and endangered species, and to highlight the everyday actions which individuals and groups can do to help protect the earth’s precious flora and fauna. These include learning about endangered species, organising clean-ups of beaches, parks and neighbourhoods, and providing habitat, like bluebird boxes, for wildlife.

‘Endangered Species Day’ is supported by 70 environmental organisations including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Founded in 1924, the AZA is dedicated to wildlife conservation, education and science.

Here at home, the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) actively supports the protection of endangered species. As one of only 200 accredited AZA members, the Flatts facility meets the rigorous standards of accredited members who, through their network of affiliates, work to protect and promote the many species in their care.

Some species have become endangered due to unintentional human encroachment into their habitat, and one of the goals of ‘Endangered Species Day’ is to promote education and awareness in an effort to ensure that animals are not endangered due to ignorance.

The Smithsonian Nation Zoo states that “the illegal trade of endangered species products contributes to an industry that severely threatens many animals and plants. Most reptile, bird, and mammal products come from animals taken from the wild. Unregulated collecting can lead animal populations to decline to the point of extinction”.

According to the US Humane Society, the wildlife trade has affected 40 percent of endangered and threatened vertebrates. Most animal-friendly products are clearly labelled, so if you are unsure of a product’s origin, please avoid it.

Several animals at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo are currently listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

“The animals at the zoo which are threatened in the wild help their species in several ways,” Zoo curator Dr. Ian Walker says. “First and foremost, they educate the public and make people aware of their endangered status and the threats to their natural habit. Secondly, they are often part of controlled breeding programmes to ensure that a genetically diverse population exists. Hopefully, reintroduction programmes can one day return them to the wild.

“Internationally accredited and monitored animal establishments promote controlled reproduction to ensure that the genetic lines of the species are continued in order that stronger, more genetically diverse offspring are born each year. These facilities also provide a safe place in which some members of the species can continue to thrive unthreatened by the many risks faced on a daily basis by their relatives in the wild.

“Another important role which the animals at the Zoo play is to function as ambassadors, promoting public awareness of their species and habitats and bringing to light the many issues which threaten their survival.”

The following list defines the levels of animal endangerment, as well as the animals at BAMZ which are categorised as endangered in the wild.

Endangered: Species considered ‘endangered’ when the best available evidence indicates that they are considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild, are: Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), and Matschie’s tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus matschiei).

Near Threatened: Species considered ‘near threatened’ when they are close to qualifying for, or will likely qualify as threatened in the near future, is: the Oriental small-clawed otter (Amblonyx cinereus)

Vulnerable: Species considered ‘vulnerable’ when they are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future, are: the Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), Galapagos tortoise (Geochelone nigra), and Haitian slider (Trachemys decorata).

Lower Risk: Species are considered ‘Lower Risk’ when they do not satisfy the criteria for any endangered category. This grouping is separated into three subcategories:

Conservation Dependent: Species which are the focus of an existing conservation programme, the cessation of which would qualify them as threatened within five years.

Near Threatened: Species which do not qualify for ‘conservation dependent’, but which are close to qualifying for ‘vulnerable’ is the Parma wallaby (Macropus parma).

Least Concern: Species which are not ‘conservation dependent’ or ‘near threatened’ include the Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina), Prevost’s squirrels (Callosciurus prevostii), Red-necked wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus), Roseate spoonbills (Ajaia ajaja), and the Scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber).

One animal endemic to Bermuda, which is listed as ‘endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is the cahow or Bermuda petrel, (Pterodroma cahow). The cahow has been the subject of an intensive conservation and research programme since its rediscovery.

Several other local animals, although not part of the international endangered species list, are also at risk from human encroachment on their natural habitat and should be preserved and left undisturbed when encountered in the wild. These species include the Longsnout seahorse (Hippocampus reidi), the Lined seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) and the Bermuda killifish (Fundulus bermudae).

Protecting wildlife today provides a legacy we can leave to our children, so that they too can experience the rich variety of species that help to define our world.