Siberian tigers, Javan rhinos, and saola are among the rarest animal species classified as critically endangered due to the impacts of climate change and rampant poaching.
Top Critically Endangered Animals
1. Ivory-billed Woodpecker
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker once inhabited the southeastern United States and Cuba. This bird was thought to be extinct; however, reports in 2004 and 2006 indicated its reappearance in Arkansas and Florida, USA. Nevertheless, evidence of its existence remains uncertain. Experts believe that if they still exist, the population is very small and vulnerable. The disappearance of this species is attributed to habitat loss due to human encroachment and hunting for their feathers.
2. Amur Leopard
Image: Wikipedia
The Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) is an extremely rare subspecies that lives in the remote, snow-covered forests of Primorye, eastern Russia. This leopard once roamed Korea and northern China, but it has become extinct in those regions. Threats to the Amur Leopard include habitat loss due to logging, poaching, and global climate change.
3. Javan Rhino
Image: Wikipedia
The Javan Rhino is the most endangered of the five rhino species in the world, with only about 40-60 individuals remaining in Ujung Kulon National Park on the western tip of Java, Indonesia. The last Javan Rhino in Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam was killed by poachers in 2011. This species once inhabited various Southeast Asian countries, but poaching for their horns has pushed it to the brink of extinction.
4. Northern Sportive Lemur
Image: charles.leavell
This species of lemur has fewer than 20 individuals left in the wild. They primarily inhabit the island of Madagascar, off the southeastern coast of Africa. The decline in the Northern Sportive Lemur population is due to hunting and habitat loss in forest areas.
5. North Atlantic Right Whale
Image: animalstown
There are currently only about 350 North Atlantic Right Whales remaining in the waters off Canada and the United States. This species not only yields valuable whale oil but also tends to float on the surface after death, making it easier to process. Although protections are in place, the population continues to decline due to commercial whaling.
6. Saola
Image: AP
Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), one of the rarest mammals in the world, inhabits the remote mountainous forests of the Annamite Range in Vietnam and Laos. This species is critically endangered in the wild and is listed as endangered in the IUCN Red List and the Vietnam Red Data Book. The saola was first observed in 1992.
7. Leatherback Sea Turtle
Image: National Geographic
The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Demochelys coriacea) is the largest turtle species in the world, with a global range. They are classified as critically endangered. According to the IUCN, the number of adult leatherbacks was about 115,000 in 1982. Fourteen years later, this number plummeted to only 20,000-30,000. Egg poaching, illegal hunting, and habitat loss are causing this species to vanish.
8. Siberian Tiger
Image: National Geographic
The Siberian Tiger, also known as the Amur Tiger, is the largest big cat species in the world, weighing up to 300 kg. Unlike other tiger species, Siberian Tigers inhabit the frozen birch forests of the Russian Far East as well as parts of China and Korea. They are classified as one of the most critically endangered species globally, with a current population of around 500 individuals.
9. Chinese Giant Salamander
Image: Wikipedia
The Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianas) is the largest amphibian in the world, with a body length of up to 1.8 meters. This species primarily resides in southern, southwestern, and central China, often living in forest streams, and can lay up to 500 eggs at once. It is nearly extinct in the wild due to hunting for food.
10. Little Dodo
The Little Dodo, also known as Manumea, lives in Samoa in the western Pacific. Although this bird measures only about 30 cm in length, it is closely related to the larger Dodo bird, which became extinct 400 years ago. The risk of extinction also threatens the Little Dodo.
11. Bornean Orangutan
In the past 60 years, the population of this uniquely formed orangutan has decreased by 50%. Living on the island of Borneo, the largest island in Asia, the Bornean Orangutan has a larger face and significantly shorter beard compared to its other relatives.
There are a total of 3 subspecies of Bornean gibbons, including those that inhabit the Northwest, Northeast, and central regions. The largest subspecies lives in the center of the island, with a population of around 35,000 individuals. The most threatened subspecies is found in the Northeast region, where habitat destruction due to logging and hunting has left only about 1,500 individuals remaining.
Scientists estimate that by 2025, the population of Bornean orangutans will decrease further by 22%, resulting in only 47,000 individuals left.
12. Mountain Gorillas
Currently, the population of mountain gorillas is estimated to be under 900 individuals. Animal rights activists are working tirelessly to maintain this number. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, the greatest threats to mountain gorillas come from war, human encroachment, and forest degradation.
Mountain gorillas primarily reside in three countries and four national parks, including Bwindi National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
13. Yangtze Finless Porpoise
With its distinctive “smooth” appearance and exceptional intelligence, the Yangtze finless porpoise is closely related to the Baiji dolphin. Currently, only about 1,800 to 2,000 individuals remain.
14. Philippine Crocodile
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are currently fewer than 200 Philippine crocodiles surviving in the wild. They often fall victim to fishing gear or habitat destruction caused by humans.
15. Bengal Vulture
The population of Bengal vultures has dramatically declined over the years. Data from Mother Nature Network indicates that 99.9% of Bengal vultures have disappeared since the 1980s. They are considered one of the fastest bird species in the world.
16. California Dolphin
According to WWF, this extremely rare animal was first discovered in 1958. Similar to the Philippine crocodile, they often get entangled in fishing gear in California’s bay, leading to injuries and death. Additionally, habitat destruction, climate change, and global warming also negatively impact the survival of the California dolphin.
Now more than ever, humans must take action immediately, not only to protect ourselves but also to safeguard the Earth and the innocent creatures of nature.
17. Sumatran Elephant
This species can weigh up to 5 tons and was listed as endangered by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2012 due to significant habitat destruction. Currently, only about 2,400 to 2,800 individuals remain.
