We can learn a lot from these birds

Nature is always fascinating. From the magnificent Alps and Himalayas to the deepest of all underwater abysses, the mystic, yet tantalizing forces of nature have always captivated mankind. For some, it's not just the breathtaking sceneries that are marvelous but also the inhabitants living amongst them. Be it the wild salmons swimming to spawn upstreams or the playful young brown bears imitating every moves of the mother, they have always amazed us of a world where there are no rules, no games and always the survival of the fittest.

One of the most fascinating species of all is the macaws (also known as large parrots). The macaws are intelligent, playful and beautiful, which make them highly collectible in the international pet trade business. The vast exploitation not only happens in pet trade but also with the deforestation of the Amazonian jungle. Together they're the two main forces behind macaws' declining population.

We can learn a lot from these birds, not just their colourful feathers but also their behaviour, particularly in the strong bond between the partners. Macaws are envious to any human relationship. They are the monogamist of the animal kingdom. A pair usually live together for 50 years in which they do everything in together, including the search for food, raising of the young and defend against predators. It makes me think what the macaws have that we human don't and how could we learn from the macaws, especially in a world of ever deteriorating relationships, the growth of divorce rates and hectic homosexual behaviour. I agree that they're just animals and you can't possibly make inference from the animal to the human world. But, this is exactly what we've done over the years to study human behaviours from easily observed and carefully conducted experiments of the animals. Things like courting strategy to courtship behaviour and many more will eventually unravel the mystery of the human behaviour. However, before that is to come we must give our best effort in the protection of the environment and its inhabitants.

It's not just the macaws are on the endangered list, but also many other species. We live in an intricate web of life where each species support the other and together they build the foundation for survival. If one branch is tappered or broken off, the consequences are severe and will eventual backtrack to even threaten the superior human species. Not do the animals and plants help regulate air and water quality, and the balance of the food chain, some of them also have the potential to treat serious ailments. For example, the venom of insects, animals and plants is promising in treating cancer, diabetes, irregular heartbeats and can act as a nature anti-depression. For more, please visit Biodiversity: The sixth great wave on the six part series of BBC's Planet Under Pressure.

If it means commuting by transit, bicycle, carpool or limit ones driving habit to save endangered species from extinction and for the betterment of mankind then why not? If it means the toxin derived drugs could save lives and treat ailment then by all means. We should not be ignorant and do our parts to guarantee not only for the proliferation of the endangered species but also for the protection to provide a better place for our next generation.