There was a time humans were wildlife, well! not particularly abundant species of primates coexisting with the wealth of other species in parts of Africa. But, as we humans emerged from this situation and became the dominant species, we have attempted to set ourselves apart from other species. In many respects, this is the root cause of the present-day environmental crisis.

Ecological trauma!
Despite the attempts that have been made to undermine progress made in solving environmental problems, major progress has been made. Scientists and, increasingly, the public are realizing that we are in an environmental crisis of global ecological proportions. Human populations are still ascending at an exponential rate, the atmosphere is warming, both tropical and temperate rainforests are being cut at alarming rates, and serious pollution is much more prevalent than admitted previously. From the perspective of wildlife this means species are being lost almost on a daily basis. Acknowledgement of these problems, however, means that we can find solutions for them, although most solutions require enormous economic aids which may anchor these coherent problems.

The national park system avow some of the most vibrant ecosystems and biodiversity remaining in this country. Over sixty percent of the endangered species are present within our national parks. The habitat preserved within park boundaries affords many species an oasis of survival and some of the last bastions of intact ecosystems found today.

Yet the biodiversity found within our national parks is in jeopardy. From pollution to poaching, invasive species to habitat loss and fragmentation, these islands of life we call our national parks may not be enough to ensure the survival of those who call them home.

Carrying capacity: The carrying capacity of the wildlife parks has considerably increased. Eco- and adventure tourism have reached an all-time high in popularity. Attendance rates at some of the best-known national parks have soared in recent years, bringing with them increased vehicle pollution, wildlife road fatalities, and damage to precious habitat. People have started moving towards these national parks as the ultimate tourist destinations. Besides this, the wildlife in these nature parks is blooming.

Wildfires: Seemingly innocent campfires have been started by visitors in various national parks which can blaze out of control and grow into menacing, habitat-devouring wildfires in no time at all. This summer alone, wildfires in the western United States ravaged hundreds of thousands of acres of pristine forestland. Hence, wildfires can turn out to be fatal and can damage the natural habitats too!

Personal Watercraft: Very often referred to as jet skis or wave runners, personal watercraft (PWCs) routinely harass wildlife in coastal habitats. Because they are compact and quick, PWCs can stratagem into tight situations of brush and shallow water, discharging nesting birds from their roosts and disturbing mating patterns. In addition, the amount of pollution they release is staggering. According to a recent Environmental Protection Agency study, nearly one-third of PWC's fuel and oil can be leaked directly into the water and air.

Snowmobiles: Like personal watercraft, snowmobiles also cause intense air, water, and noise pollution; disrupt area wildlife; and greatly reduce the serene satisfaction enjoyed by other visitors to our national parks. Every year, more than 180,000 snowmobiles visit our parks. And while we may not be able to measure the precise impact of snowmobile use on these lands, it should be taken into account that fresh air must be pumped into their booths because of extremely high levels of air pollution from snowmobiles. We also know that snowmobiles release harmful toxins into water supplies, burden snowpack with pollutants, and permanently damage the flora.

Toxic chemicals: It wasn't until 1972, when a lawsuit led to the ban of harmful pesticides such as DDT, that the agricultural tide began to turn. Indeed the gratifying elimination of the harmful chemicals such as DDT, helped the survival of the peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and brown pelican flourish.

Climate change: Those fossil fuels that keep our homes toasty warm and our automobiles chugging down the highway are also indirectly affecting global climate change. The burning of these fossil fuels-coal and oil, for example-results in an accelerated rate of global warming, a trend that scientists say will decimate an ecological catastrophe on temperatures, storm systems, and precipitation, which in turn will gravely affect habitat and migration patterns.