Endangered Animal Species Around the World

In the past several weeks, Australian Wildfires have wiped out over 80% of the wildlife unique to the continent. One of the species that took greater damage is the Koalas. These native Australian marsupials were already in danger zone, to begin with, now with most of their population falling victim to the wildfire, Koalas are facing an imminent danger of extinction. But they are not the only ones. Around the world, there are as many as 41,415 animal species on the verge of extinction at present. Let’s have a look at some of them –

GIANT PANDA

Loss of habitat and illegal hunting are the major reasons behind the endangered status of Pandas. Though steps have been taken to protect them, they are hardly enough to salvage the situation as it is now.

SEA TURTLES

Sea Turtles are known as the cleaners of the ocean. But due to our lack of awareness or just plain apathy, even they are not enough now. If anything, many species of sea turtles like the green turtle and the Hawksbill Turtle are endangered now.

NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE

Marine Life, in its entirety, has suffered a lot due to climate change and pollution, but one of the species to take more damage is the North Atlantic Right Whale. Only 400 of these are left in existence due to human greed.

RED PANDA

Red pandas had a low birth rate, to begin with, and the illegal poaching made it hard for their numbers to not dwindle. An estimated number of adult red pandas are just around 10,000. The loss of habitat and climate change doesn’t make it better either.

GALAPAGOS PENGUIN

The rare species, Galapagos Penguins are the only penguin species to be naturally found above the equator. Climate change is the major reason for its endangered status.

SUMATRAN ELEPHANTS

Just like their Asian counterparts, Sumatran Elephants have been on the ‘endangered’ list for a while now. Loss of habitat and poachers, again, constitute the major reason behind their plight.

GHARIAL

Gharials are native to the Indian subcontinent and are on the verge of extinction. Their population took a dip of as much as 98% since 1946 and it is estimated there are only 300 left in existence.

BLACK RHINO

They are native to Sub-Saharan Africa and are constantly targeted by poachers and hunters, after their horns. Black Rhinos have been on the ‘endangered species’ list for a long time already. Despite a population increase in past years, less than 2,500 of these are left presently.

TIGERS

A lot of different species of Tigers including Sumatran Tiger and Royal Bengal Tiger are severely endangered. Though steps have been taken to control the situation, it’s still far from ideal.

ORANGUTAN

Orangutan literally translates to ‘Man of the Forest’ in Malay. This intelligent species is endangered because of many of the same reasons as others. Poaching, illegal trafficking and habitat destruction.