All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Wildlife is only threatened by feral man.
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Nowadays, every year one can notice the consequences of the unfavorable and even harmful influence of human activity on the state of wildlife. The environment is becoming a real victim of economic development: animals are dying, forests are being cut down, water bodies are drying up. Southeast Asia is a region where this problem is especially pronounced.
Over the past few years, Indonesian environmentalists have been fighting to stop the deforestation of tropical forests. Indonesia is home to one of the world's largest paper suppliers. Over 30 years of operation, the company has cut down more than 2 million hectares of forest, but now the company's managers have pledged to stop deforestation and reuse empty land. Due to deforestation, a large number of local animals are at risk of death: monkeys, tigers, elephants. Environmentalists believe that the step that a large company is ready to take will inspire smaller enterprises, and they will also stop deforestation.
One of the most detrimental consequences of human development for wildlife is the deforestation of tropical forests. Experienced biologists claim that some species of animals disappear from the face of the earth even before scientists have time to study them. Without green forests, the existence of many animals and birds becomes impossible. As an example, scientists highlight the hornbill, whose representatives are becoming fewer and fewer every year.
Asian forests are a place where biologists are constantly discovering new species of insects and small animals. But scientists complain to environmental protection agencies that they are unable to study new specimens in detail because they are rapidly disappearing. Statistics show that over the past 20 years, several forest areas equal in area to a small European country, such as Belgium or Denmark, have been destroyed each year.
The process of deforestation cannot be stopped completely: the population of developed countries is growing, and accordingly, space is needed for new buildings, new industrial areas. But in any business it is important to maintain a balance, because if the Asian tropical forests are completely cut down, and the land is built up with tourist hotels, tourists will soon stop visiting once exotic countries: people are more interested in observing wildlife, and not looking at the stone walls of luxurious buildings.
Some countries in Asia, such as Vietnam, have banned mass deforestation, and the government takes a very dim view of poachers.
The damage that humans do to wildlife every day is not limited to the destruction of forests. Locals in tropical Asian countries treat many representatives of the animal world as toys that can be used to entertain tourists. At local markets, you can see such a variety of dried insects that you won’t find in the most complete encyclopedia. Many species are not listed in the Red Book, so the actions are considered completely legal, but scientists suspect that some specimens may not even be known to science.
One of the most popular tourist attractions is snake watching. However, almost no one thinks about the fact that due to constant catching and poor conditions of keeping, some species of snakes are on the verge of complete extinction.