If you are as much of an animal lover as we are, you might be interested in the 10 most endagered animals around the globe and how you can protect them.
A species is classified as endangered when its population has declined between 50 and 70 percent and when its population is restricted to less than 250 mature individuals. When a species’ population is this low, its area of occupancy is not considered.
As of 2022, there are more than 150,300 species on The IUCN Red List, with more than 42,100 species threatened with extinction, including 41% of amphibians, 37% of sharks and rays, 36% of reef building corals, 34% of conifers, 27% of mammals and 13% of birds.
IUCN Red List
You can explore the Most Endangered Animals web story.
This includes both endangered animals and endangered plants.
Read on to find out which animals are at the highest risk for extinction and what we can do to protect the 10 most endangered animals in 2023.
Key points
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status of Endangered Species | Decline between 50-70%, population less than 250 mature individuals |
| IUCN Red List – 2022 | Over 150,300 species listed, 42,100 species threatened with extinction |
| Most Endangered Animals Web Story | Includes both endangered animals and plants |
| Endangered Species Mentioned | Javan Rhinoceros, Vaquita, Mountain Gorilla, Tigers, Asian Elephants, Orangutans, Leatherback Sea Turtles, Snow Leopards, Irrawaddy Dolphins, Atlantic Bluefin Tuna |
| Javan Rhinoceros | Critical endangerment, only around 60 individuals, limited to one park |
| Vaquita | Critical endangerment, small area in Gulf of California |
| Mountain Gorilla | Critical endangerment, around 1,000 individuals, habitat loss and conflict |
| Tigers | Endangered, around 3,900 tigers, various subspecies |
| Asian Elephants | Endangered, 40,000 – 50,000 individuals, habitat loss and conflict |
| Orangutans | Critical endangerment, around 104,700 individuals, habitat loss |
| Leatherback Sea Turtles | Vulnerable, declining population, oceanic habitat |
| Snow Leopards | Vulnerable, 4,000 – 6,500 individuals, mountain habitats |
| Irrawaddy Dolphins | Vulnerable, declining population, freshwater and brackish habitats |
| Atlantic Bluefin Tuna | Vulnerable, overfishing and demand for sushi, impact on marine ecosystem |
| Eco-Tourism and Conservation Efforts | Protected areas, captive breeding, sustainable practices |
| Responsibility to Wildlife | Habitat protection, reforestation, sustainable living |
#1 Javan Rhinoceros
About Javan Rhinoceros
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered |
| Population | Around 60 |
| Scientific Name | Rhinoceros sondaicus |
| Height | 4.6–5.8 feet |
| Weight | 1,984 – 5,071 pounds |
| Length | 10–10.5 feet |
| Habitats | Tropical forests |
The 10 most endangered animals: Only 67 Javan rhinos are currently estimated to remain in the world, making this critically endangered rhino species one of Earth’s most threatened large mammal species. They’re confined to one park on the extreme southwestern tip of the Indonesian island of Java
Only 67 Javan rhinos are currently estimated to remain in the world, making this critically endangered rhino species one of Earth’s most threatened large mammal species.
However, all three Rhinoceros subspecies are endangered; three rhino species—black, Javan, and Sumatran—are critically endangered. Today, a small population of Javan rhinos is found in only one national park on the northern tip of the Indonesian island of Java. A mainland subspecies of the Javan rhino was declared extinct in Vietnam in 2011.
Where to see them responsibly?
Javan rhinos are the most threatened of the five rhino species, with only around 60 individuals that live only in Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia.
Conservation: Javan Rhinoceros
International Rhino Foundation
IRF works with our local partner, the Rhino Foundation of Indonesia (Yayasan Badak Indonesia or YABI), and Ujung Kulon National Park staff to protect the world’s only population of Javan rhinos.
At the same time working on expanding the species‘ habitat in Indonesia.
#2 Vaquita
About Vaquita
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered (Population decreasing) |
| Scientific Name | Phocoena sinus |
| Trophic Level | Carnivorous |
| Mass (Adult) | 43 kg |
| Length (Adult) | 1.2–1.5 meters |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Phocoenidae |
The 10 most endangered animals: The Vaquita is a small harbor porpoise native to a small area in the extreme northern part of the Gulf of California, Mexico. It is the smallest known Cetacean (whale, dolphin, or porpoise) alive today, reaching lengths of only 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) and weights of not much more than 100 pounds (45 kg).
The vaquita, literally “little cow”, is a species of porpoise endemic to the northern end of the Gulf of California. It is the smallest of all living cetaceans, averaging 150 cm or 140 cm in length. Today, the species is on the brink of extinction.
Where to see them responsibly?
Gulf of California, Mexico
The Vaquita is a small harbor porpoise native to a very small area in the extreme northern part of the Gulf of California, Mexico.
Vaquita Conservation
Support Conservation Efforts The vaquita is just one species in peril. Accidental entanglement in fishing nets is a major cause of unnecessary mortalities in countless species worldwide. Support efforts to eliminate this threat!
#3 Mountain Gorilla
About Mountain Gorilla
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered |
| Population | Around 1,000 |
| Scientific Name | Gorilla beringei beringei |
| Trophic Level | Herbivorous |
| Weight | Approximately 135–220 kg (Adult males) |
| Height | About 4–5.6 feet (When standing) |
| Habitats | Montane and bamboo forests |
The 10 most endangered animals: For decades, mountain gorillas have been subjected to uncontrolled hunting, disease, habitat loss and the ravages of human conflict. Their numbers plummeted, and they are now considered endangered.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which sets the conservation status of species, changed their status from “critically endangered” to “endangered” in 2008 as their numbers improved.
Where to see them responsibly?
5 Best Places to See Gorillas in Africa
- Rwanda. The Virunga Mountains spanning the borders of Uganda, DRC and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park are home to over 600 mountain gorillas.
- Uganda.
- Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Congo Brazzaville.
- Central African Republic.
Mountain Gorilla Conservation
International Gorilla Conservation Program
Securing the Future for Mountain Gorillas. The International Gorilla Conservation Programme is a unique coalition of international conservation organizations …
#4 Tigers
About Tigers
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Endangered |
| Population | Around 3,900 tigers (As of 2016) |
| Scientific Name | Panthera tigris |
| Trophic Level | Carnivorous |
| Weight | Varies by subspecies, 90–310 kg |
| Length | Varies by subspecies, 2.1–3.9 m |
| Habitats | Various habitats, including forests, grasslands |
The subspecies are Bengal, Indochinese, Sumatran, Siberian, and Malayan. Tigers are globally listed as “Endangered” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The Malayan and Sumatran sub-species are listed as “Critically Endangered.”
Today, the tiger is classified as Endangered in the Red List of Threatened Species published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is estimated that only 3,500 tigers are remaining in the wild worldwide.
Where to see them responsibly?
Bandhavgarh National Park is the best place to find tigers in the wild.
Tigers Conservation
WCS Goals : Protect tigers and their habitat. · Build capacity in range states. · Reduce human-tiger conflict. · Conduct scientific research on tigers to help inform conservation
#5 Asian Elephants
About Asian Elephants
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Endangered |
| Population | Approximately 40,000 – 50,000 |
| Scientific Name | Elephas maximus |
| Trophic Level | Herbivorous |
| Weight | Around 2,500 – 5,500 kg (Adult) |
| Length | Around 6 – 9 feet (Height at shoulder) |
| Habitats | Forests, grasslands, wetlands |
The Asian elephant is classified as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its population has declined by an estimated 50 percent over the past 75 years, and there are an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 Asian elephants left in the wild.
The Asian elephant was listed as Endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1976. Because of their status under CITES and the ESA, commercial trade in Asian elephants and their parts and products is prohibited.
Where to see them responsibly?
- Thailand. About a third of the world’s Asian elephants live in captivity, most in Southeast Asia. …
- Kenya. Prepare to be impressed at Amboseli National Park, a big-sky game viewing spot just above Kenya’s southern border with Tanzania.
- Sri Lanka.
Asian Elephants Conservation
Elephant Conservation.org
We got you covered check out these 10 ways to save elephants that we can all do!
- Support the ban of the ivory trade.
- Choose elephant-friendly coffee.
- Choose ethical tours.
- Think before you post an elephant photo.
- Support elephant sanctuaries.
- Adopt an elephant.
You can apply this conscious decision-making to help the 10 most endangered animals and more…
#6 Orangutans
About Orangutans
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered |
| Population | Around 104,700 (Bornean & Sumatran combined) |
| Scientific Name | Pongo spp. (P. pygmaeus, P. abelii) |
| Trophic Level | Omnivorous (mainly frugivorous) |
| Weight | Varies by species, 30–82 kg |
| Arm Span | Around 5.5 – 7.5 feet |
| Habitats | Tropical rainforests |
Both species have experienced sharp population declines. A century ago, there were probably more than 230,000 orangutans in total. Still, the Bornean orangutan is estimated at 104,700 based on the updated geographic range (Endangered), and the Sumatran at about 7,500 (Critically Endangered).
The destruction and degradation of the tropical rain forest, mainly lowland forest, in Borneo and Sumatra is the main reason orangutans are threatened with extinction.
Palm oil, an ingredient found in many everyday food and cosmetic products, contributes to Sumatra’s rapid deforestation. Orangutan habitat in Sumatra and Borneo is being cleared at an alarming rate for conversion to oil palm plantations.
Where to see them responsibly?
5 best places to see orangutans in the wild
- Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia.
- Gunung Leuser, Sumatra, Indonesia.
- Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Malaysia.
- Tanjung Puting, Kalimantan, Indonesia.
- Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sabah, Malaysia.
If you want to discover more, read our dedicated article on the best places to see Orangutans.
Orangutans Conservation
Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program establishing entirely new, genetically viable and self-sustaining wild populations of any great ape species, anywhere in the world.
#7 Leatherback Sea Turtles
About Leatherback Sea Turtles
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Population | Uncertain (Declining) |
| Scientific Name | Dermochelys coriacea |
| Trophic Level | Carnivorous (Jellyfish) |
| Weight | Up to 961 kg (Heaviest recorded) |
| Length | Around 1.8 – 2.2 meters (6 – 7 ft) |
| Habitats | Oceans, open water |
Leatherback turtles are named for their shell, which is leather-like rather than hard, like other turtles. They are the largest sea turtle species and one of the most migratory, crossing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Leatherbacks occur in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They occupy U.S. waters in the West Pacific, East Pacific, and Northwest Atlantic. Pacific leatherback turtle nesting grounds are located in tropical latitudes in the eastern and western Pacific.
Extensive egg collection and bycatch in fishing gear are the primary causes of these declines. NOAA Fisheries designated all leatherback turtle populations as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1970.
Where to see them responsibly?
Top 5 places to see Sea Turtles
- Costa Rica. Playa Grande. This beautiful beach is one of the top locations in the world to see humongous leatherback turtles all year-round.
- Indonesia. Gili Islands.
- Australia. Heron Island.
- Hawaii. Laniakea Beach.
- Malaysia. Tioman Island.
Leatherback Sea Turtles Conservation
A nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the leatherback sea turtle by promoting the conservation of leatherbacks at risk of extinction.
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#8 Snow leopards
About Snow leopards
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Population | Estimated 4,000 – 6,500 individuals |
| Scientific Name | Panthera uncia |
| Trophic Level | Carnivorous |
| Weight | 22 – 55 kg (Adult) |
| Length | Head and body: 75 – 130 cm |
| Habitats | High mountain ranges, alpine meadows |
How many snow leopards are left in the wild? An estimated 4,080-6,590 snow leopards are in the wild, but it is difficult for scientists to know. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as’ Vulnerable’.
Snow leopards live in the mountainous regions of central and southern Asia. In India, their geographical range encompasses a large part of the western Himalayas including the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas.
Where to see them responsibly?
In the Himalayas, snow leopards live in high alpine areas, mainly above the tree line and up to 18,000 feet. They are found in 12 countries—China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Russia, and Mongolia.
Snow leopards Conservation
#9 Irrawaddy Dolphins
About Irrawaddy Dolphins
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Population | Uncertain, declining |
| Scientific Name | Orcaella brevirostris |
| Trophic Level | Carnivorous |
| Length | Around 2.3 – 2.75 meters |
| Weight | Approximately 130 – 180 kg |
| Habitat | Freshwater and brackish habitats |
The Irrawaddy dolphin is a euryhaline species of oceanic dolphin, meaning they transition between saltwater and freshwater. They lack most dolphins’ characteristic beaks and streamlined heads, instead having a blunt snout and a high, rounded forehead.
The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphins inhabit a 118-mile stretch between Cambodia and Lao PDR and are scarce—just 92 individuals are estimated to exist still.
The dolphins are an essential indicator of the health and sound management of freshwater resources, and their decline could signal a potentially devastating decline in the health of the entire river ecosystem.
Where to see them responsibly?
The dolphins continue to die off at an alarming rate, and experts now estimate that only around 80 Irrawaddy dolphins are left in the Mekong between Kratie and the Lao border. The best place to see them is at Kampi, about 15km north of Kratie, on the road to Sambor ( Southeast Asia).
Irrawaddy Dolphins Conservation
Endangered Species International
ESI directly promotes sustainable fishing practices and no-fishing zones (no-take zones) where dolphins are still found. Further, ESI focuses on restoring and protecting natural habitats like estuaries and rivers where dolphins occur.
Are you interested in ugly animals, have a look at our blog!
#10 Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
About Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Population | Uncertain, declining |
| Scientific Name | Orcaella brevirostris |
| Trophic Level | Carnivorous |
| Length | Around 2.3 – 2.75 meters |
| Weight | Approximately 130 – 180 kg |
| Habitat | Freshwater and brackish habitats |
Bluefin tuna populations have declined severely from overfishing and illegal fishing over the past few decades –not just Atlantic bluefin tuna, but Pacific bluefin tuna and Southern bluefin tuna. The demand for this fish in high-end sushi markets has primarily driven population declines.
The critically endangered bluefin tuna only makes up 1% of the global catch. As the methods of catching tuna have advanced over the years, the conservation and management of tuna have not evolved as quickly.
Scientists believe that the collapse of bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea may lead to a sharp increase in the biomass of benthopelagic cephalopods, such as squid. This would negatively affect the sardine population.
Where to see them responsibly?
Bluefin tuna live mainly in the North Atlantic pelagic ecosystem and its adjacent seas, especially in the Mediterranean Sea. Geographically, their population is distributed throughout the North Atlantic, from Ecuador to Norway and from the Black Sea to Mexico.
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Conservation
Center for Biological Diversity
Prized as a high-value dish at sushi restaurants, bluefin are being pushed toward extinction by decades of overfishing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists two species of bluefin, the Atlantic and the southern, as endangered or critically endangered, on its “Red List” of imperiled species.
How can we help: Eco Tourism for endangered animals
The goal of wildlife conservation is to ensure the survival of these species, and to educate people on living sustainably with other species.
Developing protective areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries to protect the animals in their natural habitat. The endangered and vulnerable species can be kept in captivity in places such as local sanctuaries and bred to increase their population. The cutting of forests should be strictly prohibited.
The Foundations of Eco-Tourism
: tourism directed towards exotic, often threatened, natural environments to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.
To successfully embody ecotourism, businesses must consider the following three measures: Sustainable Business Practices, Community Development, and Environmental Stewardship.
Our responsibility to wildlife
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, habitat destruction is the main threat to 85 percent of all threatened and endangered species.
You can help reduce this threat by planting native trees, restoring wetlands or cleaning up beaches in your area.
These are simple but sufficient methods to practice to maintain or pace the extent of human influence on the natural world.
Summary of the 10 Most Endangered Animals
As part of the world’s ecosystems, wildlife provides balance and stability to nature’s processes. The goal of wildlife conservation is to ensure the survival of these species, and to educate people on living sustainably with other species.
Such practice will help secure the conservation of the 10 most endangered and critically endangered animals.
If you enjoyed this blog, please look at our Top 10 Ugly Animals or Top 5 Rarest Animals in the World blog. Also, The Top 10 Cutest Animals may captivate you with possible animal encounters of each continent around the globe.
Or something new, the Canadian Marble Fox Enjoy!
Thank you for reading about the most endangered animals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Endangered animals are species that face a high risk of extinction in the near future. They are at risk due to various factors, such as habitat loss, overhunting, pollution, climate change, and more. When a species’ population declines significantly, and it is at risk of disappearing entirely, it is classified as endangered.
An endangered animal is a species that is at a critical risk of becoming extinct. Their populations have dwindled to a level where their survival in the wild is threatened by various human activities and environmental changes.
The causes of endangered animals can vary, but common factors include habitat destruction, pollution, overhunting, climate change, and invasive species. These factors disrupt ecosystems, threaten food sources, and directly harm species, leading to population declines.
Endangered animals are species that are facing the risk of extinction. They are important because they contribute to the balance and diversity of ecosystems. Each species plays a role in maintaining a healthy environment, and the loss of one species can disrupt the entire ecosystem. Additionally, preserving endangered animals reflects our responsibility to protect the planet’s biodiversity for future generations.
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