Final answer:
Extinction is a natural occurrence, and 99% of the species that have ever lived on Earth are now extinct. The wright whales have been known to live up to 250 years old.
Step-by-step explanation:
Extinction is a natural occurrence, and fossils indicate that many organisms that lived long ago are now extinct. It is estimated that 99% of the species that have ever lived on Earth no longer exist. For example, the dodo bird, Steller's sea cow, and the passenger pigeon are all examples of extinct species. In the case of the wright whale, while they are not the oldest living organisms on record, they have been known to live up to 250 years old. It is important to understand that extinction is a natural part of the Earth's history.