Which Animal Would You Miss The Most If It Became Extinct?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
October 16, 2010 8:41am CST
Since I started typing this discussion the number of World Species that have become extinct this year has gone up three from 109,700 to 109,703 and no doubt it will change even more as the day progresses. It is from Worldometers by the way which prompted this discussion in the first place.
I know there are only a few tiger species left, hardly any Giant Pandas and the same goes for Snow Leopards (as examples) so my question is..out of the animals that are left which one would you miss the most if it became extinct..and why?
The way things are going with habitat loss and the like it seems feasible that even the mighty African Elephant's days are numbered.
I would probably miss the Giant Panda the most as they are such gentle animals and don't deserve to be in the predicament they find themselves in. They don't belong in zoos either although I do appreciate the fact that Giant Pandas aren't that great at reproducing!
How sad that Man's success as a species is slowly destroying the world.
I would probably miss the Giant Panda the most as they are such gentle animals and don't deserve to be in the predicament they find themselves in. They don't belong in zoos either although I do appreciate the fact that Giant Pandas aren't that great at reproducing!
How sad that Man's success as a species is slowly destroying the world.2 people like this
21 responses
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
17 Oct 10
I would miss the dolphin if it were to become an extinct animal. Dolphins are such beautiful creatures of the ocean. It would be a shame to have a world without them in it.1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Oct 10
I love dolphins too and I don't know anybody who doesn't..such lovely creatures and yes, the world would be a sad place without them in it.
@coollady9 (143)
• Indonesia
17 Oct 10
Dear Janey, I would really miss dragon fly. I'm afraid i won't see it anymore. When I was a child I can play with some dragon flies. But now, it's very rare to see them. Though the rain comes. Dragon flies are tiny creature. They appears after the rain stops. The colors are very beautiful. Just like butter fly, we can find them in some colors. Green, red, purple , yellow, blue, white and so on. I really miss them a lot. So can you find some dragon flies in your country????
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Oct 10
To be honest, I don't know a lot about dragonflies but I have seen them many years ago on a school trip I went on. Three of the 42 species of dragonfly have become extinct here in Britain. I read about this as you prompted me to read up on them..so thanks for that. Seeing as you love dragonflies so much I thought I would post the link. Interestingly, Sir David Attenborough is a patron as he is with trying to save the albatross (his favourite animal I believe).
http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/aboutus.html
http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/aboutus.html
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
17 Oct 10
yes pansas are cute and cuddly.i.would surely miss that. i have not actually seen any black panda. i hope that china will be able to give more care and attention to their black pandas.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Oct 10
Giant Pandas symbolise the struggle for conservation around the world and of course they're the symbol of the WWF from the start.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
24 Oct 10
Perhaps for me it would be the Koala. I have not seen too many of them in the wild before, but when you do it is really special because they are rarely found these days. Their habitats are rapidly getting smaller and smaller all the time as we humans continue to bulldoze their homes to create more homes for us.
They are not endangered yet as far as I know, but they will be if we keep this trend going. They are not only in danger of losing the trees that they live in, but as we build in amongst their trees, they become threatened by cars and dogs as well. 
They are not endangered yet as far as I know, but they will be if we keep this trend going. They are not only in danger of losing the trees that they live in, but as we build in amongst their trees, they become threatened by cars and dogs as well. 
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
2 Nov 10
Koalas are pretty cute, but they have mean claws on them! They will rip you to shreds if you are not careful! 
I have signed the odd online petition before. Nothing to do with koalas though, just whale killing and cattle exporting. They are treated really badly here.
Yes, put a stop to that large dairy. That is just so wrong. 
But didn't you know that cows make great indoor pets. They are so clean and love to cuddle up next to you on the couch when you are watching TV!
They are closer to the frypan when you keep them inside too. You can just slice off a chunk and bang it on the stove for dinner! 
I have signed the odd online petition before. Nothing to do with koalas though, just whale killing and cattle exporting. They are treated really badly here.
Yes, put a stop to that large dairy. That is just so wrong.
But didn't you know that cows make great indoor pets. They are so clean and love to cuddle up next to you on the couch when you are watching TV!
They are closer to the frypan when you keep them inside too. You can just slice off a chunk and bang it on the stove for dinner! @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
3 Nov 10
We don't do it now because petrol is so expensive but in the good old days John would take me out in his car and we would go looking for cows and sheep...to photograph. I saw cows in a new light. They are inquisitive animals and I could watch them for hours if I were given the chance to do so - rather like Temple Grandin..surely you have heard of her?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Oct 10
Hello! I've been at Mum's this week so apologies for not getting back to you sooner.
I had no idea the Koala was in such a bad way in the wild. They're so cute as well. I'm not surprised you love them so much..I do too. Anything furry gets my vote lol.
Do you sign online petitions and things to try to protect them? I do this all the time. The latest campaign I've got involved in is to try to stop a super dairy being built in England that would house around 8,000 dairy cows INDOORS 24/7. This is unacceptable, expecially when the main man at Nocton Dairies said that "cows don't belong outdoors." Excuse me!? Since when?
I had no idea the Koala was in such a bad way in the wild. They're so cute as well. I'm not surprised you love them so much..I do too. Anything furry gets my vote lol.
Do you sign online petitions and things to try to protect them? I do this all the time. The latest campaign I've got involved in is to try to stop a super dairy being built in England that would house around 8,000 dairy cows INDOORS 24/7. This is unacceptable, expecially when the main man at Nocton Dairies said that "cows don't belong outdoors." Excuse me!? Since when?
@sulsisels (1685)
• United States
17 Oct 10
Hi Janey..For me it would be the Polar Bear. Some say it is already too late for them. Their ice is melting due to Global Warming. If they have no ice so sit on, they cannot fish. If they cannot fish, they become to weak to care for their young and teach them survival. I'm sure you have seen the pictures of these massive creatures sitting on little tiny chunks of ice. It breaks my heart. This link shows exactly that, Momma and babies. A real bittersweet picture. Signatures are needed on petitions and the different orginazations are having a hard time getting them. I posted a discussion about this about a year ago and got almost no response. It surprised me how little people are interested in a tradegy that is surely going to happen if nothing is done..it's already happening..
http://www.mylot.com/w/image/2402493.aspx
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Oct 10
Life without animals would be so boring and that includes cats and dogs of course.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Oct 10
I visited the South Lakeland Wild Animal Park with John a few years ago and, sure enough there were two cheetahs enclosed in a small pen. I was naive about cheetahs at the time so didn't think much of it. When I think of it NOW, however, I realise that it's cruel to keep them in such an enclosed place..especially after seeing them run in the wild (albeit on the telly). Such majestic animals, I'm not surprised you love them so much..I do too..and the Snow Leopards of course. How beautiful are they?
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
27 Oct 10
Tigers - the world's most beautiful animal imho.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Oct 10
I wouldn't disagree with that Dawn. Gorgeous animals.
@gossipzz (498)
• Canada
17 Oct 10
There is a cute cudley animal named the Koala Bear. I have never seen one in person. However they do look cute. I would love one day to see one. It would hurt me very much if they become extinct. They seem so peacefull just like the panda bear and did I say cute and cudley. They don't seem to trouble anyone or other animal. They are just there in their little world in Australia I think. So mankind leave them alone. Happy lotting.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
17 Oct 10
Koalas are very cute, I agree with you. They don't bother anybody do they? If only people could be as peaceful!
@sulsisels (1685)
• United States
17 Oct 10
Hi Janey..After giving this much thought, I think that I have chosen the Great White Polar Bear as the animal I would miss the most. These massive, beautiul creatures are on the verge of becoming extinct due to Global Warming and some say it is already too late for them. Their ice is melting. If they have nowhere to sit, they can't fish. If they can't fish, they become to weak to care for their young and teach them survival and so extinction has become a fate they are doomed to face if something is not done. I posted a discussion about this about a year ago and got very little response. It's so sad that so few are interested. All the orginazations that have materialized due to this problem are simply looking for signatures on petitions to send to Washington and they are having a tuff time getting them. Its truly a tradegy..
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
19 Oct 10
I'd hate to see dolphins (all kinds) disappear, and I too hate to see them in capture. But at the same time, if they weren't in capture, I'd probably only get to see them a few more times in my lifetime. I wouldn't mind it at all if the world human population stopped exploding...
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 Oct 10
Yes, I've got a "thing" about human population too. I saw a wonderful programme about just that very subject not so long ago. Basically, there are far too many people on the planet and it's set to get much worse. It wouldn't surprise me if some man-made disease is inflicted on humans in a few years' time because it's the only thing that will finish us off as we're living too long!
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
20 Oct 10
I once took a training course for work in the mid 90s. One of the instructors/speakers was a world-renowned environmental scientist. His contention was that overpopulation was the most severe problem impacting the world environment. I believed him then and still do.
@KiaX100000 (33)
• United States
16 Oct 10
As for exotic animals that I dont know about, I cant give a definite answer. But animals like dogs or cats would be missed. They provide comfort for families and individuals alike, and love their owners who take care of them. Just a short answer even though its pretty obvious :)
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Oct 10
I should've said that domesticated animals are included..and there's nothing wrong with your answer my friend, it makes perfect sense to me.
@Wriggzy (4)
•
16 Oct 10
I know they arn't endangered or Anything, but I would mostly miss dogs :)
Obviously they are the most popular domesticated animal so it's not very likely to happen at all, but if it somehow did, I would miss them so much haha :)
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Oct 10
Domesticated animals are included, I should've mentioned this at the start. Imagine life without dogs, cats, cattle, sheep..anything domesticated. What a nightmare!
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
16 Oct 10
I would miss all the big cats if they would become extinct. Especially the White Tiger and the Snow Leopard which to me are the most beautiful of the big cats! I would also miss the Eelephants and the Rhino's, too! No matter what animal does become extinct I will not be happy! Man has invaded so much of the world and destroyed their habitate. If not they have killed animals to extinction because they were "getting in the way"! Not to mention some aniamls have become extinct in some areas in the world do to man killing them for their pellets. Wolves and beavers come to mind! Tigers for their skins. Eelephants for their ivory tusks. Rhino's for their horns. Man will never learn and it is sickning!
@vandana7 (100280)
• India
16 Oct 10
Hi Janey - nice question. Its also hard to decide. Lets just say, I wont miss ants, scorpions, snakes, and any of those meat devouring animals. As you've rightly pointed out - we human beings are breeding ourselves to extinction. As to other species, god has created a predator. We've found ways to over power our predator, so we are going to kill ourselves - just wonder whether they will be killing human beings to supply food. Thank god I wont be around.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
16 Oct 10
I don't think I'd miss cockroaches. I can't see the point of them lol.
People are living a lot longer (in most countries anyway) so I dread to think how old my nephew is expected to live until. He's coming up to 21 on Christmas Eve. By the time he's my age (44) he'll probably be expected to live until he's 130 or something. I wonder how many animals will be extinct by then?
@oldchem1 (8132)
•
16 Oct 10
I know that there are some really beautiful animals that are near extinction on our planet and something really need s to be done to stop the loss of these wonderful creatures.
But if I was to answer your question HONESTLY, the animal that I would miss the most should it become extinct is the pig, because I would miss my bacon butty!!
@ramonah (211)
• Romania
9 Nov 10
No offense but maybe the question isn't quite exact. To be realistic, for pretty obvious reasons, I would miss the dog. I really couldn't imagine a world without dogs. But this animal has pretty low chances to be extinct too soon.
Among the animals that soon risk to be extinct, I know one that is already very rare in my country, Romania (so rare that it can't be seen anymore - living only in highly protected reservations), the wisent. I used to see those great animals when I was little, in the same reservations that were then open to the public. It is the biggest animal I have ever seen in front of me (except an elephant at the circus once, which himself was a cub, so not that large). I love their huge stature, power, royalty alure though they can be so calm and peaceful at times. I already miss them though they're not really extinct. Wish I could see them from close up again.
