Wildlife Conservation

Seven animals affected by climate change

GVI

Posted: May 13, 2022

Climate change has become an everyday term for us, but have we really considered what this phenomenon means for animals?

Changes in temperature – and the other impacts of climate change – are becoming more apparent. We’re already seeing the effects of climate change around the world. These include:

Some islands, like the Solomon Islands, no longer exist because of rising sea levels.
Natural disasters – like floods, hurricanes, fires and tornadoes – are occurring more frequently.

A rise in sea levels is a factor that contributes to climate change.

And climate change seriously affects animal species too:

More animal species are becoming extinct due to the effects of climate change on the ecosystems and habitats they live in.
Animal habitats are becoming less comfortable, sometimes even inhospitable.
Animals are affected by increases in pollution that affects the food they eat and the habitats they live in.
Some animals have to alter their breeding and feeding patterns in order to survive the impacts of climate change.

When animals can’t migrate to areas with more favourable climates, their chances of extinction increase significantly. Below are seven animal species that are affected by climate change today.

1) Cheetahs

Two cheetahs resting together in the wild.

The cheetah is currently listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN’s) Red List of Threatened Species.

Cheetah population numbers are declining dramatically in the face of climate change. And in some areas, cheetahs’ prey populations are declining, too. As a result, cheetahs have had to change their diets and prey on other animals that live in the same environment. Often, these animals don’t have the same nutritional value as cheetahs’ usual prey – affecting its ability to produce healthy sperm.

In fact, cheetahs sperm counts are ten times lower than your average house cat. And this is due to higher temperatures caused by global warming, which have led to the development of abnormal coils in cheetahs’ sperm.

And, rising temperatures also affect the big cat’s ability to reproduce by causing lowered testosterone levels in male cheetahs.

Because the number of cheetahs in the wild is declining steadily, conservationists are calling on the global community to lend support. One of the best ways to help is learning about cheetahs and adding to conservation efforts. For example, you can join GVI volunteers and gather data in Karongwe Private Game Reserve on projects that contribute towards cheetah conservation.

2) Giant panda bears

A giant panda bear eating.

Original photo: “Panda bear mammal” by wal_172619 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

This two-toned tree enthusiast, and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) trademark bear, feeds exclusively on bamboo.

But, climate change is reducing the amount of bamboo that grows in pandas’ natural habitats in China.

Apart from being the bears’ staple diet, bamboo also provides them with shelter from the elements, leaving pandas vulnerable on every front.

3) Green turtles

A baby green sea turtle.

Green turtles, like many animal species, are sensitive to the changes in temperature caused by global warming.

And, because a baby turtle’s sex depends on the temperature of the sand where their egg is laid, climate change has an impact on turtles’ development, too.

The warmer areas produce female turtles. So, with climate change causing an increase in temperatures, more females than males are hatching. And this reduces the number of male green turtles around.

This may affect the population growth of green turtles in the future since it means fewer mating partners for female turtles.

You can support the conservation of this endangered species by joining GVI’s Endangered Turtle Conservation and Research program in Greece.

Or, you can travel to Seychelles and add to the conservation of hawksbill and green sea turtles.

4) Asian elephants

Volunteer with Asian elephants in Thailand.

Elephants are particularly affected by high temperatures. This is because they need to drink a lot of fresh water to survive. So, climate change and global warming – which can cause droughts and water shortages – make it more difficult for elephants to get all the water they need every day.

Warmer conditions also make it easier for invasive plants to thrive, and outgrow the elephants’ regular food sources like bamboo leaves and bananas.

You can join GVI and build on efforts aimed at safeguarding Asian elephants while volunteering in Thailand.

5) Polar bears

Polar bears are affected by climate change.

Original photo: “Polar Bears on Thin Ice” by Christopher Michel is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Climate change and global warming are reducing the amount of Arctic sea ice. This ice is important because it’s what polar bears live on and where they hunt for seals.

So, as more ice melts, polar bears have less access to food, and their habitats are becoming smaller.

6) Jaguars

While studies have shown that jaguars are fairly resilient to extreme drought and flood over the short term, the jaguar population will crash if there are a number of extreme droughts or floods in a short time period, which is extremely likely due to climate change.

In addition, jaguars are already under pressure from hunting both of themselves and of their prey as well as habitat loss through deforestation, which is a key concern in Central and Latin America where these cats live.

If you want to get involved in monitoring this beautiful species’ activities and helping to preserve their habitat, you can join GVI in Costa Rica.

7) Adélie penguins

These birds live on the Antarctic continent and feed on krill – shrimp-like creatures that live under the ice sheets.

Climate change is causing the ice in this area to melt. And, as the ice melts, krill populations decrease and the penguins have to migrate from their natural habitat to find alternative food sources.

This makes it harder for them to settle down and mate during the breeding season because they sometimes run short of food.

How to make an impact on climate change and wildlife conservation

Climate change is jeopardising the survival of many animal species. In some cases, it’s pushed them up the endangered animal species list.

But it’s not all doom and gloom.

Animal conservation efforts are up and running all over the world, and they’re adding to the global movement towards reducing the impact of climate change.

We can all play our part in curbing the effects of climate change by contributing to conservation efforts.

These may include creating more awareness about conservation, getting involved in conservation research, or participating in wildlife conservation projects on the ground.

GVI offers a host of programs where you could contribute towards the conservation of endangered species and the environments they live in. Take a look at GVI’s wide variety of wildlife and marine conservation projects aimed at reducing the number of animals affected by climate change.

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