Many species could disappear sooner than we can imagine. Can you imagine that your grandchildren do not get to know animals like the polar bear, the tiger or the jaguar? In this post you will know the long list of endangered animals in the world.
Extreme cases of endangered animals
La International Union for the Conservation of Nature, has made a list with about 5.200 endangered species in the world. The data handled by the renowned institution, make a chilling breakdown by class. 25% of amphibians and mammals, 34% of fish, 20% of reptiles and 11% of birds are in danger of extinction.
There are multiple causes that push so many species to disappear and many of them can be very specific to each species. However, one of the most common is the loss of animal habitats.
But climate change and the multimillion-dollar hunting and illicit trade businesses also stand out as dark protagonists. Now let's see the red list that brings together some of animals in danger of extinction world:
Polar Bear
There is only one super-predator in the Arctic and that is the polar bear. A legendary creature that is also one of the most representative of that icy region of the planet.
But sadly there is Endangered polar bear. In the last 50 years the number of these white giants has been reduced by about 33%. A problem that until not long ago was the almost exclusive responsibility of hunting, but which in more recent times has been associated with a no less lethal accomplice: global warming.
This is how the increasingly absent ice leaves the great white bear without its usual environment. An evil that seems to have no solution and threatens to make this species extinct.
black rhino
Unfortunately this colossus has been severely decimated by illegal hunting. The so-called "sport for the rich" became famous for the danger posed by the attacks of this powerful creature when threatened.
Although black rhino defense programs show some success, it is still among the top endangered animals. While its cousin the white rhinoceros, another inhabitant of the African savannah, is classified as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN.
Bactrian camel
We continue with the list of endangered animals in the world and this unfortunate other hails from the mountains, steppes, and deserts of central Asia. Unlike its cousin the dromedary, this one has two humps. In addition, he has longer, darker fur and is stockier than the other.
The Bactrian camel is seriously threatened by hunting, especially by inhabitants of the border between the Gobi and China. But it is also affected by the expansion of human settlements and their intervention in its habitat.
Thus, people not only compete for water, but also cause serious damage to the environment, as in the case of mining and the installation of pipelines to transport gas.
Sumatra tiger
This species is original from Indonesia, more exactly from the island of Sumatra. It is the smallest of all the tigers and is distinguished from its cousins by its tighter striped pattern.
Adult males reach 2,3 meters in height and a weight of 120 kilograms. While the females are about 15 centimeters smaller and their weight can be up to 95 kg.
This other beautiful creature is also in serious danger of extinction. As in the previous cases, this is due to the destruction of their habitats by people and illegal hunting. Today there are barely 400 or 500 copies.
Borneo and Sumatran orangutans
Bornean and Sumatran orangutans are two other endangered species native to Indonesia. This is a country badly affected by the ruin of its forests, which leaves these creatures without their usual environments.
To date, there are around 45.000 orangutans in Borneo, while only about 7.500 of their cousins and neighbors in Sumatra remain. In this case, the trafficking of offspring also threatens the survival of these furry creatures.
Iberian lynx
The Iberian lynx is typical of the Iberian region and is the most threatened feline in the world. Currently there are about 800 individuals in their natural habitat. If the species has not yet become extinct, it is thanks to the efforts of various organizations for its conservation. So the Iberian lynx continues to fight against its disappearance.
The reintegration of the species in new habitats is noteworthy, as well as its multiplication in its original sanctuaries, such as Sierra Morena or Doñana.
These actions have fueled the gradual growth of the population of this lynx.
We must remember that in 2002 there were less than a hundred individuals living naturally in the Iberian Peninsula. Fortunately, the efforts for its conservation have raised that figure, as we have already said, to about 800 specimens.
These successes have served to remove it from the list of critically endangered species, now placing it on the endangered list. An almost imperceptible change even in the qualification, although it marks the difference between survival and disappearance.
Axolotl
The axolotl or axolotl is a native of the lagoons of the Valley of Mexico. It is a very famous amphibian for its curious appearance, since they always show a "smiling" face in their young stage. But when they grow up, interesting changes are also observed in it.
The legged fish, as it is also often called, is at high risk of extinction. This is due, first of all, to the contamination of the waters in which they live. But also because of the introduction into its environment of fish that fight with it for food and that go so far as to prey on it.
Jaguar
This large cat is part of the Panterine subfamily. It is the only one of the five existing species that lives in America, where it reigns as the largest felid. While it stands out as the third largest in the world, only surpassed by the tiger and the lion.
Today it can be found from the southern United States to northern Argentina, including much of Mexico, Central and South America. It feeds on both large animals, such as cattle, and even very small prey.
Apart from certain groups in Arizona, the species has been nearly extinct in the US since the turn of the last century. But this problem is not unique to that country. The IUCN has included the jaguar in its Red List as a "near threatened species", since its general population is in clear decline.
The great American cat is threatened by the disappearance of its habitat. Besides and although its international trade, or that of its parts, is considered a crime, it is frequently hunted. This happens most often at the hands of ranchers, who are affected when the jaguar kills their cattle.
leatherback sea turtle
The leatherback is the largest sea turtle in existence today. It has migratory habits so it usually crosses the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. In addition, to feed they migrate from the nesting coastlines to the Californian coast of the United States.
Despite its wide distribution, its population has decreased alarmingly in the last hundred years. This is due to the consumption of their eggs and their hunting by people.
Monarch Butterfly
The monarch is perhaps one of the best known butterflies. It is distinguished from the rest of its cousins by having two pairs of bright red-orange wings. They also have black streaks and white spots on the edges.
The species is also recognized because it hibernates and is capable of metamorphosing. In its adult stage, this winged beauty barely lives for a maximum of five weeks. Although it is not currently classified as endangered, the US Center for Biological Diversity has made a request for protection that encompasses the butterfly's environment.
vaquita porpoise
This is most considered the rarest of the marine mammals on the planet. The particular sign of the species is a dark ring that surrounds its eyes, as well as linear markings that cross from its snout to its chest fins.
These strange creatures frequent the vicinity of the coasts, preferring the flatter waters of the Gulf of Mexico. But unfortunately its population is in a very critical state, to the extent that it is estimated that there are only about 30 individuals left in the world.
The problem is that charming animals are often caught by illegal fishing nets that abound in certain areas of the Gulf of Mexico.
purple frog
The purple frog, also known as the Indian or purple frog, is a curious species of the Sooglossidae, originally from the Ghats of western India. This amphibian has a robust body, somewhat swollen, while its head and mouth are somewhat small compared to other frogs. It reaches about seven centimeters in length.
The name comes from its violet pigmentation. This rare creature spends most of its life underground. They only emerge during the monsoon season, which is when they mate. It is threatened by the gradual disappearance of its natural environment, as a result of the deforestation carried out for the cultivation of coffee and ginger.
california condor
This feathered scavenger from North America is considered the largest bird that flies on earth. This is because the wingspan of their wings is usually around three meters. Besides, it is one of the flying species that live longer, with an estimated average longevity of 60 years.
Although this majestic condor became extinct in the wild in 1987, it has been reintroduced to certain areas of the northern US.
black footed ferret
This tiny creature of the mustelid family resembles the mink in size and other features. It is distinguished from the rest of the ferrets by its darker extremities and by the paler color of its body. Its shorter tail also differentiates it.
It is a nocturnal carnivore that likes to walk alone, except during mating times. The black-footed ferret has been included in the list of animals in danger of extinction. This is due to the decrease in their populations, which inhabit the fields of North America.
Lazy
Sloths are strange-looking mammals, characterized by their elongated claws. But above all, for his extremely leisurely movements.
Interestingly, this apparent heaviness of movement is an evolutionary adjustment due to his low-energy diet. But with what it also seeks to prevent being detected by eagles and other predators such as jaguars.
Although they seem from another world, these creatures live in the tropical forests of South and Central America. But unfortunately the six existing subspecies are considered endangered.
Panda
This is perhaps the most peaceful and popular creature of all those in the world. But it is also seen as a national treasure of China, where it lives in its bamboo forests in remote mountain regions.
Pandas are distinguished by their thick black and white fur. They also stand out for their climbing abilities, however big and heavy they are.
But that same popularity that the media has given him makes many people wonder if he is still The Panda Bear is in Danger of Extinction And the answer is unfortunately yes.
It is one of the most vulnerable species on the planet, as a result of the destruction of its natural environment. The case is so serious that it is currently estimated that there are just over 1800 copies. However, their struggle and that of many institutions that have joined forces to achieve their survival has inspired many other struggles to save more species.
Snow Leopard
This beautiful feline is typical of Central Asia and prefers to live in mountainous areas, with perennial snow. This is how he has adapted his fur, making it white to blend in with the environment.
But sadly there are only six thousand individuals left in the world.
Mountain gorilla
Today the mountain gorilla only lives in the Virunga mountains in Central Africa and in Uganda, in the Bwindi jungle region.
It is estimated that to date there are no more than 900 specimens, which places this species on the list of critically endangered species. Their main enemies are hunting and habitat loss. Although a curious threat is added: the spread of diseases by people.
javanese rhinoceros
This other corpulent member of such a sad list is one of the one-horned rhinos that inhabit Asian lands. Its colossal size added to the destruction of its natural environment and illegal hunting have decimated its population to the point that there are only less than 60 specimens left.
royal woodpecker
This bird has become so rare that there are doubts as to whether it continues to exist or whether it has already become extinct on the planet. Like the rest Birds of its group, lives by piercing the sticks of plants in search of larvae to eat.
Interestingly, until 2005 it was officially considered totally extinct. However, later there have been sightings of at least one male in Arkansas, USA. But there have also been confirmations through the noises produced by this feathered bird, since they do not resemble those made by the rest of the members of the Picidae family.
