21% of All Reptile Species Is Under the Threat of Extinction
With 31 species gone extinct, 1 in 5 reptile species is facing the threat of extinction says a study published in Nature, world’s leading multidisciplinary science journal. The study took more than 15 years to complete due to difficulties in getting funds. The study highlights that among the kinds of reptiles, turtles and crocodiles are at high risk. The study reveals – • Two-thirds of turtles and more than half of crocodiles are under the threat of extinction. • Urban development, farming and logging are major reasons behind the habitat destruction of reptiles. • Reptiles are facing the threat of extinction more in West Africa, Southeast Asia, Northern Andes and the Caribbean. • Climate change poses a serious threat to reptiles, especially those living on low-lying islands. Scientists have called for urgent reptile conservation, citing the importance of reptiles in areas such as pest control. “Reptiles to many people are not charismatic and there’s been a lot more focus on more furry, feathery species of vertebrates for conservation,” said Dr Bruce Young of the international nature organisation, NatureServe as reported by Helen Briggs in BBC.