Surname 2
Unsustainable hunting led to the extinction of Pyrenean ibex. The species was in
abundance in the Middle Ages, but due to intensified hunting for them in the 19th and 20th
centuries, the animals decreased significantly with only a small population surviving in the
Ordesa National Park (Raul et al. 342-344). It was the latest species of the four subspecies of the
Iberian subspecies to become extinct with its last individual named Celia dying in 2000 (Perez et
al. 31).However, there were some efforts to clone it by using DNA from the frozen skin in 2003
but did not succeed; lung defects made it difficult to survive, and it died shortly after birth
(Gerken N.pag.).
As a human activity, hunting was not the only issue that led to the extinction. Also, there
was competition for survival from ungulates where there was sharing of food from even
domestic animals including goats and cattle, especially in the summer. As such, there was
overgrazing from people which led to the decline of feeding ranges hence making it difficult for
the Pyrenean ibex to interbreed (Choi N.pag.). Also, there was the introduction of other species
in the regions that the ibex dominated which increased grazing pressure too. Above all, it came
along with exotic diseases which claimed many lives (Perez et al. 31-33).
Alone or in combination, the contribution of human activities in animals’ extinction is
evident in several ways. The first scenario is increasing their susceptibility to inbreeding. For
animals to survive, continuous and healthy breeding is necessary. However, it's hard in situations
where hunting and competition for food are apparent such as the case of the ibex. The second
issue is demographic instability. When animals are many, they can survive inherent risks such as
infertility in some. However, hunting reduces their numbers hence suffering such risks due to
small abundance. If there is no necessary intervention, the numbers continue to diminish, and at
its worst they become extinct.
