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These Are The Most Endangered Animals on our Planet

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Author Nelleke van Niekerk, BSc Food Science (Biochemistry)

Tiger
South China Tiger. Image by ChinaImages via depositphotos

Let’s have a look at 12 of the most endangered animals alive in our world today! All of these animals face declining numbers due to poaching, habitat loss, and urbanization of the natural world. 

1. Javan Rhino 

Javan rhino
Javans Rhinos are the most threatened out of all five rhinos. Image by ClickImages via Depositphotos

The Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus), with their origin in Indonesia, is one of the most endangered animals alive today. With only about 74 individuals left, the IUCN Red List classifies this rhino as Critically Endangered. 

2. Vaquita

vaquita
Two vaquitas. The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is a critically endangered porpoise species endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California. It is considered the smallest and most endangered cetacean in the world. Paula Olson, NOAA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Vaquitas (Phocoena sinus) is a rare sight to behold, with less than 10 individuals making up their whole population. These marine mammals are found in the northern Gulf of California and are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.

3. Mountain Gorillas

gorillas
Mountain gorilla deep in the Ugandan jungle – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Portrait. Image by mkopka via Depositphotos

The Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the two subspecies of the Eastern Gorilla. These magnificent creatures reside in the mountains in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With just over 1000 individuals left, these animals are considered Endangered by the IUCN Red List. 

4. Tapanuli Orangutan

Orangutan
Orangutan spend nearly their entire lives in tress. Image via Prayugo Utomo, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) lives only in South Tapanuli on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. They are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List with their whole population consisting of only 800 individuals. 

5. Sumatran Elephant

Sumatran elephants with the Latin name Elephas maximus sumatrensis. Image via Depositphotos

The Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), another Sumatra local, is considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. There are only around 2600 of these 5-ton animals left today. 

6. Sumatran Tiger

Tiger cub
Sumatran tiger and cub (Panthera tigris sumatrae). Image via Depositphotos

Joining its other friends on the Island of Sumatra in Indonesia, the Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is also Critically Endangered. Less than 400 individuals make up the entire population of this Big Cat species. 

7. Amur Leopard

Amur leopard
Amur leopard yawning. Image by mihail1981 via Depositphotos

The Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) resides in southeastern Russia and northern China and joins the list of the most endangered animals alive today. There are only around 110 of these stunning animals left, classifying them as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. 

8. South China Tiger

A South China tiger is seen at a breeding base in Luoyang Wangcheng Park in Luoyang city, central China’s Henan province, 27 November 2018. Image by ChinaImages via Depositphotos

The South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) is believed to be extinct in the wild. With only 20 of these beautiful tigers alive in captivity, they are considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. 

9. Saola

Saola
Image by The original uploader was Silviculture at Vietnamese Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

The Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) is also known as the Asian unicorn due to its rarity. There are believed to be less than 100 of these animals left, classifying them as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. 

10. Yangtze Finless Porpoise

Image by Huangdan2060, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Yangtze Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) lives in the longest river in Asia – the Yangtze River. There are about 1,000 of these porpoises left making them another Critically Endangered animal on our list of the most endangered animals alive today. 

11. Cross River Gorilla

cross river gorilla
Cross River gorilla. Julielangford, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) lives in Cameroon and Nigeria. They are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red list with between 200 and 300 individuals left. 

12. Western Lowland Gorilla

Western gorilla
Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Image by wrangel via Depositphotos

Although the Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) has a population of around 300,000 they are considered as Critically Endangered animals by the IUCN Red List. This is due to the rapid decline in their numbers caused by poaching and disease. 

The Importance of Conservation

Three-month-old Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis). Image via Depositphotos

This list is just an indicator of how humans have affected wildlife over the centuries, and it is our responsibility to do what we can to aid the conservation of these wild animals! Be it by sharing knowledge, donating, or educating your loved ones. 

Next in Animal News

javan rhinoceros
Image via Unsplash
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