Animals Facing the Risk of Extinction

Wildlife is currently facing the risk of extinction, with many species already on the brink and in critical danger.

The destruction of habitats, deforestation for new urban development, hunting animals to meet human demands, and climate change have led many species to face permanent extinction.

Below are the animals we should start protecting now if we do not want them to be wiped off the Earth forever.

Blue Whale (Endangered)

Currently, blue whales are hunted to the brink of extinction. As the largest animals on Earth, they can reach lengths of up to 27 meters and weigh as much as 120 tons.

The calls of blue whales emit sounds at higher frequencies than any other animal on Earth. Although blue whale hunting has been banned since 1966, the recovery of this magnificent marine mammal has been very slow.

Giant Panda (Endangered)

Giant pandas are beloved for their cute appearance and gentle demeanor. As a symbol that needs conservation, their habitat is threatened due to the clearing of large areas of natural forests in China for agriculture, firewood, and timber to meet the demands of a growing population.

Tiger (Endangered)

The tiger is one of the most iconic symbols that need conservation today. However, they face a serious threat of extinction due to habitat loss and illegal poaching.

Sumatran Orangutan (Critically Endangered)

The name Sumatran orangutan means “Person of the Forest.” The greatest threat to Sumatran orangutans is habitat loss. About 80% of the forests on Sumatra have vanished in recent years due to illegal gold mining and frequent forest conversion for agriculture, especially for palm oil plantations.

Black Rhinoceros (Critically Endangered)

Contrary to its name, the black rhinoceros is gray. It is hunted nearly to extinction due to its unique horn (which can grow up to 60 cm), most of which is used in traditional Chinese medicine and for crafting traditional daggers in Yemen.

Philippine Eagle (Critically Endangered)

The Philippine eagle draws significant attention as it is the largest eagle in the world and one of the most threatened bird species globally. Vast areas of tropical forests in the Philippines have been cleared for agriculture and commercial development, leading to a dramatic decline in the Philippine eagle population.

Kakapo Parrot (Critically Endangered)

As the only flightless parrot in the world, the Kakapo’s survival is threatened on its native home of New Zealand. Conservationists have implemented drastic measures to protect the Kakapo from island predators. So far, efforts to prevent the extinction of this parrot have attracted significant attention.

Hawksbill Turtle (Critically Endangered)

The Hawksbill turtle has a beautiful marbled shell. The shells of Hawksbill turtles are exploited as the primary supply for the tortoiseshell trade or for illegal demands for shells, meat, eggs, and gift crafting, leading to a significant decline in this turtle species over the past century. Additionally, climate change poses another dire threat to them.

Lemur Leaf Frog (Critically Endangered)

With webbed feet, the Lemur leaf frog is particularly suited for life in the treetops. This nocturnal frog is common in Costa Rica, but its habitat is under threat, leading to the recent disappearance of most Lemur leaf frogs.

Hammerhead Shark (Endangered)

During the day, female hammerhead sharks gather in groups in the Gulf of California, around underwater mountains (seamounts) and exhibit some unusual behaviors. Hammerhead sharks are threatened as they easily become victims of sharks and are impacted by disastrous fishing practices.

Saola

Saola is found in the mountainous forests of Vietnam and Laos but has not been sighted since 1992, and there are currently no official data on the remaining population of this mysterious creature.

Saola resembles both an antelope and a bison, belonging to the ruminant family. According to the World Wildlife Fund, this elusive creature is exceptionally difficult to spot, with scientists recording only four encounters in the wild.

Amur Leopard

The Amur leopard, also known as the Far Eastern leopard, Manchurian leopard, or Korean leopard, is now almost extinct outside the Amur River basin in eastern Russia. This animal can run at speeds of up to 60 km/h and jump nearly 6 meters into the air.

Records indicate that only about 60 individuals remained in 2015, all residing in a national park in Russia.

Mountain Gorillas

This species was once predicted to disappear from our planet by the end of the 20th century.

Today, the population of mountain gorillas is only about 900, which is quite low. Animal activists are increasingly striving to protect this species from human threats.

According to the African Wildlife Organization, the greatest threat to eastern mountain gorillas is war (primarily the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo), human encroachment, and habitat degradation.

Currently, mountain gorillas live in three countries and four national parks, such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in Congo.

Yangtze River Dolphin

The Yangtze River dolphin inhabits the longest river in China—the Yangtze River. With its unique “smooth” appearance and exceptional intelligence (compared to that of gorillas), this dolphin species from the Yangtze River is closely related to the Baiji dolphin (also known as the goddess of the Yangtze River).

Currently, it is estimated that only about 1,000 to 1,800 of these smart, playful dolphins still exist.

Vaquita Porpoise

The Vaquita porpoise is the rarest marine animal in the world, first discovered in 1958. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there are only about 30 individuals left in the wild. This indicates a staggering 92% decline in the Vaquita population since 1997.

Similar to the Philippine crocodile, the Vaquita porpoise is also a victim of fishing nets, and climate change has negatively impacted its chances of survival. Additionally, global warming has affected the habitat and food chain of this porpoise species.

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