The Brink of Extinction

Extinction is when a particular species of animal is dead and gone from our planet forever (like the dinosaurs or the dodo bird).  The case of the Asian Crested Ibis is a hopeful story about an animal saved from complete extinction!

The Crested Ibis makes its home in the wetlands of Asia.

Due to habitat destruction, the Crested Ibis was on the brink of extinction.  In 1981, there were only 7 of these birds known to be alive in the wild!

Conservation programs were put in place to protect nesting areas, prohibit logging and stop the use of agrochemicals for rice farming.  In addition, Japan and China both began Ibis breeding programs to  help increase the number of birds in the safety of captivity.

Human activity was the direct cause of the Ibis's brush with extinction, but thanks to conservation, the Crested Ibis is making a comeback!  By 2002, there were approximately 140 birds living in the wild.  Today, there are more than 500!

Ten Crested Ibis are released into the wild in 2008.

Can you name some other animals that are currently in danger of extinction?  What is being done to help those animals survive in the wild?