Our modern society is getting more and more resource-intensive, which has impacted the shrinking of our natural spaces and reduced wildlife numbers. While success stories about taking care of wildlife populations have existed, many animals remain endangered. Human activities are primarily to blame for the continuous decline in wildlife numbers. Here’s a look at ten endangered species you might not know.
Elephants
You might see elephants in the zoo, and it would surprise you that they are at risk of extinction. They might be doing well in the zoo but are far from good in the wild. The number of elephants has been dropping over the last few years, and the future is quite gloomy if they are not protected.
Axolotl
Axolotl are a surprising endangered species because they are so common in many aquariums people may not realize this species is threatened. Due to causes like pollution and overfishing, axolotl are on the brink of extinction. However, there is hope for the species due to its breeding in captivity.
South Asian River Dolphins
Dolphins are exciting creatures in the ocean. South Asian dolphins are at risk since they are hunted for meat and oil. They are also threatened by water pollution.
Javan Rhinos
Javan rhinos were once native to Southeast Asia, but their numbers have shrunk due to habitat loss and hunting. These rhinos are rare, and there are less than 100 species left. Most of these species live on Java Island in Indonesia.
Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas prefer living in isolated areas in high-altitude forests in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. These species risk disappearing since people have encroached on their original habitats for space, shelter, and food. Currently, the number of mountain gorillas is barely 1,000 in the wild.
Amur Leopard
There are approximately 100 amur leopards left in the wild, making them at a high risk of disappearing. The number of these leopards is dropping because of their loss of habitat and prey scarcity. But there is hope for amur leopards since most of them live in protected areas in China and Russia.
Sumatran Orangutan
The Sumatran orangutan lives on Sumatra Island, Indonesia. They are critically endangered species, and currently, there are just about 14,000 of these species in the wild.
Hummingbirds
It might come as a surprise that hummingbirds are part of this list. The reality is that the seven species of these birds are at risk due to deforestation. For instance, about 600-1700 chestnut-bellied hummingbirds exist, whereas less than 300 sapphire-bellied hummingbirds exist.
Black Rhinos
Black rhinos have been victims of illegal trading and poaching for their horns. However, conservation efforts have helped curb such human activities, and the population of these rhinos has steadily increased.
Whales
Only about 350 North Atlantic right whales exist in the wild, which makes them critically endangered. Pollution is a significant issue for these water giants.
Knowing that some of these animals face the risk of extinction helps in understanding why conservation efforts are important. With your help in raising awareness in our society, we can protect these animals.