Animals are natural resources that have been wasted in human history. Animals are killed for their fur, food and sports, just because they are in the way. Thousands of animals have disappeared from the earth forever. There are still hundreds of people on the danger list today. In the United States alone, about 170 species are considered to be in danger.

Why should people care? Because we need animals, because once they disappear, there will never be any more. Animals are not just beautiful or interesting. They are not only the source of food. Every animal has its place in the balance of nature. Destroying an animal will cause many problems. For example, when farmers kill a large number of eagles, the corn and grain stored by farmers are destroyed by rats. Why? Because eagles eat mice, there is no eagle to control their number, and mice multiply rapidly.

Fortunately, some people are trying to help save animals. Some organizations raise money to let people know about this problem. They tried to get the government to pass laws to protect endangered animals. Quite a few countries have passed laws. These laws prohibit the killing of endangered animals or plants. Slowly, the number of some endangered animals is increasing.