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The 5 Most Endangered Animals in North America

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Author Freddie Hiney

A red wolf. Image by Cavan via Depositphotos

The climate surrounding endangered animals in North America is frightening — some are already on the brink of extinction. At the same time, other populations not on the list, like bison, which once roamed in the tens of millions, are a fraction of what they once were.

The latter might not be listed as endangered, but many will join this Armageddon club if these trajectories continue. 

North America

Image by Maridav via Depositphotos

The scene in North America reflects an ongoing theme worldwide; from the Amazon to the Himalayas, animals are feeling the full brunt of deforestation and record high and low temperatures. 

Below are some of the most endangered animals in North America: 

Red Wolf

Image by karelbock via Depositphotos

Feisty and articulate, red wolves, which outsize coyotes, are expert hunters running out of food, resources, and space. You could once spot them across America, east to west, but now, they only reside in North Carolina. 

In fact, they were marked extinct in 1980 and upgraded to critically endangered in 1987. Currently, researchers believe there are only 20 to 30 left.

California Condor

Image by martinm303 via Depositphotos

The largest flying bird in North America, a California Condor, widely known as a vulture, averages a wingspan of about 10 feet, which is colossal compared to its bird counterparts. 

As the name suggests, they’re frequent fliers within California, often opting to call the central Californian deserts home. Today, only 93 are estimated to be flying in the skies.

North Atlantic Right Whale

Image by FOTO4440 via Depositphotos

The North Atlantic right whale, which can extend up to 60 feet and weigh 233,000 pounds, is known to meander through deep waters in search of food, such as krill and zooplankton.

Out of the 350 estimated to be alive, only 70 females – able to reproduce – remain, meaning their population could soon plummet to double digits. 

Vancouver Island Marmot

Vancouver Island Marmot, Marmota. Image by FrankFF via Depositphotos

Tiny and tough, Vancouver Island marmots are renowned for their brown, bushy tails and can be found across the Rocky Mountains of Vancouver, as well as its surrounding forest and grassland.

However, spotting one may be tricky – according to statistics, only 90 remain. 

Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Image by Maridav via Depositphotos

Known for their yellow eyes and ivory-billed peckers, these woodpeckers, which are the largest in America, feed on deadwood insects, which is why they’re often found in forest and swamp habitats.

They’re so rare to spot that many scientists believe they’re already extinct – an official population estimate doesn’t exist.

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