Cause of Extinction: Overexploitation

Humans also deplete wildlife populations by capturing or killing individuals for their own use. Animals are killed for food, fur, feathers, oil, medicines, crafts, and a host of other uses. They are also shot to stop them from killing livestock, or simply for sport. Animal eggs are taken for food, and species are captured for pets or to use in medical experiments.

Sophisticated technology allows ever-increasing numbers of animals to be captured at once, depleting seemingly limitless species like ocean fish.

As the developing nations of the world accumulate more wealth, the demand for animal products grows. The international market for animals and animal parts is a huge and growing cause of wildlife endangerment.

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