5 Endangered Species of Animals and How We Can Save Them

Earth is facing a sixth mass extinction, which means that some species have left a time on our green planet and may soon be seen only through archival footage, just like this Woolly mammoth or the extinct flightless bird Dodo.

According to the International Biodiversity Council, one million species will become extinct by 2030. This means that 1 life is taken from the earth every 10 minutes. And yet, which animals are closest to extinction? 

In this article, we’ll discuss 5 endangered species of animals that require our aid and protection the most.

1. Javan Rhinos

Rhinos are one of the most poached animals, with only 60 individuals remaining on the planet. Perhaps it’s quite tricky for you to perceive the danger with all its intensity until you know that the price of Javanese rhinoceros horn can be several tens of thousands of dollars on the black market.

Javan rhinos can only be seen under strict supervision in the Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia. The most obvious reason for this decline in Javan rhino numbers is hunting. But besides, some other factors include habitat loss, food shortages, natural disasters, and human consumerism towards wildlife.

As surprising as it may seem, the fate of endangered animals is not only in the hands of international conservation organizations and lukewarm people. The article “Betting on Extinction: Endangered Species and Speculation” is exactly about this curved reality created by speculators exploiting the vulnerability of endangered animals and betting on their extinction for potential financial gain. 

While the adrenaline rush may tempt some people to bet on the extinction of a particular animal, there are plentiful ethical betting alternatives to satisfy the urge of high strokes. Click here to discover them.

2. Amur Leopard

This critically endangered species of leopard resides in the forests of the Far East of Russia and the northeastern provinces of China. Currently, there are less than 70 Amur leopards left in the world – that’s mainly due to poaching and the illegal animal trade.

Because of their stunning coats and bones favored for employment in traditional Asian medicine, just like all other endangered species, humans are the greatest threat to the Amur leopard. Furthermore, climate change and the active development of road infrastructure are two other factors that transform the habitat of the Amur leopard and reduce the availability of its natural food. 

If you wish to get to know this wonderful animal in person, fortunately, you can catch sight of them in zoos in North America, Europe, and the countries of the former Soviet Union, totaling 200 leopards living under special supervision.

3. Sunda Island Tiger

Tigers are another endangered species, with only 4% of their historic range remaining in the wild. Particularly vulnerable is the Sunda tiger, the world’s smallest subspecies of tiger, found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, with fewer than 400 nowadays.

Since the 1980s, the number of people living in Southeast Asia has almost doubled, and as their settlements expand, the habitat of the native Sunda Island tigers is increasingly restricted. Yet, this is not the only problem – poaching for tiger fur and bones is still a challenge in the way of changing their status as an endangered animal.

4. Mountain Gorillas

While the majority of mountain gorillas live in the Virunga Mountains on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda, you can catch a glimpse of other representatives of the species in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Due to armed conflicts, habitat destruction, hunting, and illegal trade, the number of mountain gorillas in 1989 was only 620, and some scientists believed that the species might no longer exist by the end of the century. Nevertheless, successful conservation efforts have increased the number of mountain gorillas in the wild to thousands.

Still, poaching, pollution, habitat destruction, and disease continue to threaten mountain gorillas with extinction, especially given that gorillas have a low reproductive rate and females only give birth every four to six years.

5. Tapanuli Orangutan

After researching orangutan dens and analyzing their habitat changes, it becomes clear that more than 100,000 representatives of the species have died in the last two decades. The main reasons for the decrease in the number of these human-like animals are not only the increase in the density of man settlements, but also deforestation, fires, and uncontrolled hunting.

It should also be taken into account that orangutans reproduce exceptionally slowly, and in the promising case, they give birth to one infant every six years. With less than 800 individuals left, this species is considered one of the most endangered species in the world nowadays.

Fortunately, there are still places in the wild where we can see this primate. The habitat of the Tapanuli orangutan population is limited to South Tapanuli on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.

Bottom Line

As ambitious as it sounds, there are many things we can do to save endangered animals. For this, along with respecting their habitat and personal space, we ought to be categorically against the purchase of black-market products made from their body parts. Although it is tempting to obtain unique souvenirs as a memento when traveling to an exotic site, you should always avoid things that are made of ivory, for instance.

On the same note, one of the greatest and most valuable steps we can take to protect endangered animals is to spread the word and raise public awareness about them. We can make immense changes together with a slight but heartfelt effort!