Well, many of the newly discovered species are already at risk, and some are practically on the brink of extinction when we find them. Sure, perhaps not all are a direct result of humans, but many can be positively linked back to human activity as a cause. So it's beneficial to know what the major causes for their decline are; if humans ARE responsible for their decline perhaps it is our responsibility to save/protect them, but I admit that is my own personal opinion. Even if were are not to blame for their decline, preventing poaching at least minimizes the pressures they face (and also puts additional pressure on the illegal trade). Yes, here I did make an assumption, it was just an example to demonstrate the point.

I agree, just scouring the world for animals then trying to save individual species isn't entirely productive. But we study these endangered species to understand the causes behind their decline and see the bigger picture. By studying the species at risk, their ecosystems, and how they are impacted by human activity, it gives us an idea of what actions to take to begin conserving ALL of our natural resources.

Thanks for the comment!