Animals make the world a better place, but unfortunately, many are on the brink of extinction. Humans are the biggest cause of these animals slowly disappearing from the face of the Earth. Luckily, we can make a difference by helping to save them, too. These are some of the most endangered animals on the verge of being lost forever.
1. Sumatran Rhino
These incredible creatures have been almost completely wiped out due to poaching and habitat loss. There are currently less than 30 Sumatran Rhinos left in the world, and they can only be found in the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Conservation efforts are in full force, as captive breeding programs are trying to re-establish the breed.
2. Amur Leopard
These leopards are one of the rarest big cats in the world, with less than 100 cats left. They can mostly be found in Russia and China, but due to habitat loss and poaching, they are facing extinction sooner than later. Conservation gains include the Land of the Leopard National Park (established in 2012) and anti-poaching teams, which have helped stabilize their numbers.
3. Sunda Tiger
This remarkable tiger can be found in Indonesia and is currently critically endangered. Habitat loss and poaching have been some of the leading causes of losing these cats, but as there isn’t a lot of data available, it’s unclear how many cats are left in the wild. It is believed that there are only around 600 left in the world.
4. Vaquita
These little cuties are the world’s smallest porpoises, but shockingly, only around 10 are left in the wild. These little creatures often get caught in commercial fishing nets on Mexico’s Gulf of California. Conservation efforts are in full swing, and bans on fishing in the area are being pushed harder than ever.
5. Cross River Gorilla
These Gorillas can be found roaming around in Nigeria and Cameroon, and there are estimated to be less than 300 left in the wild. They are mainly threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and disease, which makes it hard to establish conservation efforts for them.
6. Yangtze Finless Porpoise
This friendly guy is also known as the “smiling river dolphin” because they have a constant smile on their face. These freshwater dolphins can be found in the Yangtze River in China, but their numbers are rapidly declining due to dam construction, pollution, and overfishing. There are just over 1,000 left in the wild, making them critically endangered.
7. Javan Rhino
These remarkable rhinos can only be found in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park, and sadly, less than 60 remain. They have been pushed to the brink of extinction due to habitat loss and poaching, but conservation efforts are hoping to stabilize their numbers and bring them back to their full glory.
8. Hawksbill Turtle
These magnificent creatures are among the ocean’s gentlest souls, but due to plastic pollution and overfishing, they are critically endangered. Less than 20,000 turtles are left in the ocean, and they are sadly also hunted for their shells, causing an even bigger threat to them. Conservation efforts are focused on creating protected areas for these turtles and reducing bycatch.
9. Black Rhino
While not the most endangered rhino on this list, they are still endangered due to being hunted for their horns. There are just over 3,000 rhinos left in the wild. Conservation efforts are being made to save these creatures, and certain areas have had some successes.
10. Northern White Rhino
This rhino species is pretty much extinct in the wild, with only 2 females left in captivity. These females live a care-free life in Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy, where conservation efforts are trying to bring this species back to its former glory. Researchers are currently exploring IVF and stem cell technologies to try to revive the species.
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