The Spartan Reader

In early elementary school, possibly first or second grade, many learn the term endangered species in science class.  Although everyone knows what endangered species are, it's very hard to wrap the mind around the thought of a species whose numbers are so small that the species is at risk of extinction.  Browsing through North America's Most Endangered Animals highlights a top list of lonely animals trying to complete the extremely tough but selfless act of surviving. 

The most endangered animal, according the the Smithsonian Magazine is the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle.  The lonely turtle and dark colors of the weather exaggerate the melancholy mood.  In 1947, 42,000 of these innocent turtles were filmed nesting on a beach in Mexico.  They were performing a normal task of laying hundreds of eggs in just one nest.  Unfortunately, cruel and careless humans dug up many of the eggs and stole for selfish reasons.  Not only were the turtles nesting sites attacked, but many turtles were getting tied up in left over fishing line and nets. Not even forty years later did the amount of turtle nests in the same nesting range decrease to the lowly number of 702. 

Luckily, rescuers all over are out to help the turtles safely nest their eggs and their efforts have been successful.  In 2009, the amount of turtle nest increased to about 8,000.  The need to help animals is getting more severe because careless and selfish humans will ruin habitats without realizing it.  After learning about the many endangered species Smithsonian offers, the next click on the internet should be a site helping to save the endangered species.