Are We In The Sixth Mass Extinction?

There have been five mass extinctions in the history of the world.  During those five extinctions, we have lost 99% of the earth's species.  We may be in the midst of a sixth extinctions, as we are losing species at an alarming rate.  In the past decade, we have lost the following species:

1.  Javan tiger, extinct in 2003.

2.  Western Black Rhinocerous, extinct in 2018.  There are four remaining subspecies of rhino, all of which are endangered.

3.  Southern Gastric Brooding Frog, extinct in 2002.  It was an aquatic species of frog, which lived in rain forests.  Scientists think they may have held the solution for stomach ulcers in humans, but they became extinct before the answer could be found.

4.  Pinta Island Tortoise, extinct in 2012.  There was one remaining 200 pound Pinta Island Tortoise in the Galapagos that they nicknamed Lonesome George.  They hoped to find a mate for him, but could not and he died.

5.  Baiji River Dolphin, extinct in 2006.  This river dolphin lived only in the Yangtze River in China, and was considered a national treasure.

So there you have it.  These are just a few of the species that have become extinct in the 21st century.  A combination of population growth, destruction of animal habitat, pollution and climate change have lead to their demise.  There is much that can be done to slow or stop extinctions that is not being done.  I hope environmentalists will get more support in the future to help stop the destruction of animal species.