Factors affecting Mammals and Birds in the 20th Century

1. History and Heritage of East Africa
ATTI 1216
By
Paul Olola
Mammalogy & Ornithology
Threats faced by mammals &
birds in the 20th century
1) Whaling
2) Poaching
3) Human-wildlife conflict
4) Pollution
5) Global warming
6) Climate change
7) Game-Bird hunting
8) Oil spills
9) Use of Agro-chemicals
10)Game Hunting

2. Whaling : Whaling is the hunt for
long finned Pilot Whales and the
Atlantic white sided dolphins. This
practice is carried out as part of food
culture and history in the Feroe Islands
of the North Atlantic. Animal rights
group criticize the hunt as being cruel
and unnecessary and although
controlled by authorities, over 800,000
whales and dolphins are slaughtered
every year.
Poaching : This is the illegal
hunting, killing or capturing of wild
animals. Biologists and
conservationists consider poaching
to have detrimental effects on
biodiversity within and outside
protected areas due to the decline
of wildlife populations. This in
recent times has affected Rhino and
Elephant populations in Africa
greatly as they are poached for
horns and tusks on demand in Asia.
Threats faced by mammals and birds in the 20TH century

3. Human-wildlife conflict
This refers to the interaction between
wildlife and humans and the resultant
negative impact on their resources. It
occurs when growing human
populations overlap established wildlife
territories creating reduction of
resources to some people/wildlife.
Many mammals have fallen victim as
communities kill wildlife that stray into
their homes.
Pollution : pollution is the addition
of contaminants into the natural
environment that cause adverse
change which can take place in three
main forms, mainly ; water, air and
land. In all ways, mammals and birds
are affected through poisonous and
toxic substances that are released,
emitted or dumped in the air, land and
water.
Did you know you could play a role in controlling these negative impacts?

4. Global warming and climate change : These result due to pollution
and deforestation. It impacts negatively on mammals and birds breeding and
migratory patterns both on land, air and water. Although it is an emerging trend
largely caused by the developed economies of China, Russia and the United States
of America. It requires collaborative effort to manage the trend.
Game-Bird Hunting : This is a sport largely
carried out in the United Kingdom whereby Quails
and Pheasants are hunted using trained hunting
dogs and shot with shotguns for sports. This
impacts negatively on their ecological balance as
they are not eaten but just killed. There are
other sport practices involving use of birds in
China where birds and mostly doves are bought
and set on long distance travels across oceans in
harsh weathers to see if they will make it back
alive.
Do you know of any Bird sports in your locality? How does it affect the
birds involved?

5. Oil spills : Oil spills are a major cause of
marine pollution arising as a result of oil
leaks from offshore oil rigs and leakages from
oil tankers. The result effect is felt by birds
that rely on the water for food, whales,
sharks and even land mammals that also rely
on the water from oceans and seas. The most
recent notable leaks being from BP oil spill off
the gulf of Mexico which led to a fine of $18b
and the Rexxon Valdez Oil spill which may
take years before the environment is
restored.
Agro-chemicals: commercial
agriculture requires use of herbicides,
pesticides and fungicides. These chemicals
can find their way into water bodies after
heavy rain by sipping into rivers which drain
into lakes, seas and oceans. These water
bodies experience change in their PH levels
which is dangerous for living organisms and
may favor growth of certain plants while
destroying others. The water-hyacinth is a
good example of a plant that thrives in water
with high potassium and nitrogen levels.
These plants absorb oxygen from the water
thus depriving aquatic animals and plants of
much needed oxygen and sunlight.

6. Game hunting : This is hunting of wild game, majorly the big five in Africa for
Trophies which are displayed in homes, offices and buildings by hunters. This
practice has been on-going since Europeans set foot in Africa. If uncontrolled in the
modern day can pose a risk to endangered and threatened wildlife like elephants,
rhinos, giraffes and varied species of birds.
For consultation or queries,
EMAIL : paulolola@hotmail.com
The END