View source for Protected Species

==Key Stage 4==
===Meaning===
A '''protected species''' is a [[species]] of [[organism]] is protected from harm by caused by [[human]]s.

===About Protected Species===
: A [[species]] may be '''protected''' because it is vital to an [[ecosystem]]. This can take the form of criminal punishment for anyone who harms a member of that [[species]].
: Some [[species]] need to be protected because some [[human]]s want to hunt them. This may be for sport or may be for the value of some of that [[species]] body parts. Elephant tusks are made of [[ivory]] which is very expensive so [[poacher]]s try to kill the elephants to get that [[ivory]]. Rhinoceros horn and tiger bones are believed by some to have magical healing properties so [[poacher]]s may kill them to sell their body parts.
: A '''protected species''' is often also [[Endangered Species|endangered]] so is in danger of [[extinction]] which would permanently reduce the [[biodiversity]] in an [[ecosystem]].