Why do humans protect animals?

Because, tragically, human beings operate under the belief, that they have the right to do what they please to animals. In many circumstances, the poor or cruel treatment is based in the ability to profit financially, from the harm caused, as in the illegal trade of animals. For example, in Borneo, baby/infant Orangutans are forcibly taken from their mothers, usually by killing the mothers, which are sold for a few dollars as bush meat. The traumatized infant Orangutans are then held captive, often in awful, unsanitary and unloving conditions, until they are sold to people as pets, where they suffer a confusing, unhappy, and often diseased life. They usually die because of illness, or because they are so traumatized by the loss of their mother, that they grieve unrelentingly until they become sick and die. Tigers will soon be extinct in the wild, because the Chinese kill them for use of their bones, teeth, and genitals, for use in traditional medicine. Their coats, or 'skins' often end up as rugs. This abuse is criminal, illegal, and very sad, and it is only a TINY fraction of the abuse and loss of animals, that currently occur, all over the world, every day of every year. We, humans, must protect animals, because many, many of our species still have not learned that animals are NOT ours to do with as we please, and that they feel pain, sadness, and loss, just as we do. They can not, however, speak up for themselves, and say, 'please, help me. Protect me', so we MUST do it. I hope this answer helps, both whoever asked the question, and all our fellow creatures. Blobber