Amazing Extinct Animals Because of Deforestation

It takes about 75 million trees annually to make enough copy paper to keep American offices operating. Only about 30 percent of that paper is recycled. That means that loggers keep cutting down a massive number of trees annually. Cutting down that number of trees has caused some animals to go extinct over time because of the deforestation of their habitat while it has placed others on the critical list.

Pygmy Racoons

Scientists estimate that only 192 mature pygmy raccoons remain in the world. These raccoons that live in Mexico have a smaller size and are rounder than the raccoons you may have seen. There are several efforts underway to try to protect this endangered species including the creation of a protected mangrove forest.

Darwin’s Fox

There may be less than 649 Darwin’s foxes left in the world. The number of these foxes that live in Chili has greatly diminished because of wood pulp plantation overtaking their natural habitat. These foxes, which resemble small gray foxes, have significantly been harmed because their habitat has been so broken up by the harvesting of trees.

Black Spider Monkeys

The black spider monkey, also known as the Guiana or red-faced spider monkey, weighs between 15 and 19 pounds when mature. Deforestation has dramatically hurt this South American native species. It is vital for this endangered species to survive because it spreads seeds helping new plants to get started in the Amazon rainforest.

Saola

Saolas are deer that grow to be about 200 pounds when mature. They are a cousin of antelope, and they have long horns that are incredibly sharp. Saolas only live in parts of Cambodia and Vietnam where they have high mountains to climb.

Orangutans

You may have seen an orangutan during your last trip to the zoo, but they are going extinct in their native habitat. While deforestation is a significant problem as orangutans will not cross roads built to haul the lumber needed to make paper out. Therefore, they are living in small groups with little genetic diversity. Unfortunately, these roads also make it easier for poachers to get in to kill them.

Borneo Pygmy Elephants

Borneo pygmy elephants are the smallest elephant living in Southeast Asia. There are believed to be less than 1,500 of these elephants that grow to be less than 5 feet tall living in the wild. They have straighter tusks and larger ears than the typical Asian elephant that often grows to be more than 8 feet tall.

Scientists estimate that 20,000 species of animals may be on the brink of extinction because of humans, but you can do something about it. Contact Orlando Recycling Inc. about a corporate recycling program today. Paper recycling in Orlando may help save these endangered animals as paper recycling in Orlando reduces the number of trees that must be cut down.