Top 10 Most Endangered Animals In The World!
We all heard it: we need to save our Mother Earth. But despite this loud cry made by environmentalists and large animal rights organizations, there are still animals that are in danger of becoming extinct — forever. The general apathy of people is contributing to this fast disappearing of animals while greed is driving people to destroy the natural habitats of these animals. This is the main purpose of this article, to increase the awareness of the readers how serious the situation is. If we do not act now, things will get worse before they get better.
Top 10 Most Endangered Animals
It is undeniable that it is hard to make a list of endangered animals because of the number of animal species that are currently facing extinction. As this might be the case, it is only fitting to write this article according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) list.
It is undeniable that it is hard to make a list of endangered animals because of the number of animal species that are currently facing extinction. As this might be the case, it is only fitting to write this article according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF) list.
10. Mako Shark
Mako shark is killed primarily because of its tender meat and fin. To make things worse, the shark's fin is considered to be of great value medicinally. Some poachers will just strip off their fins and throw it back to the sea and leave it to die there.
9. Green-Cheeked Parrot
Because of its beautiful colors and intelligence capabilities, the green-cheeked parrot is being sold across the United States and Mexico. The great demand for these birds has made its population rapidly decrease.
8. Tiger
The numbers of tiger in the wild is getting lesser each year because of poachers. Tigers are just occupying 7 percent of their original habitats and if this will continue, they will soon face extinction like their relatives in Asian countries.
7. Hawksbill Turtle
An adult hawksbill turtle can measure as long as 1 meter. Because of the low birth rate of these turtles combined with the illegal trade of its shell, the hawksbill is now exponentially vulnerable to extinction.
6. Alligator Snapping Turtle
The meat of alligator snapping turtle is considered to be an exotic food. Due to international market demands for an alligator snapping turtle and the deforestation that is taking place in North America, this turtle is now rapidly decreasing in numbers.
5. Polar Bears
The polar bears are among the earliest species that were threatened by the escalating global warming issue. With ice caps melting, it is estimated that within the next century the polar bears will be completely wiped off the face of the icy arctic.
4. Beluga Sturgeon
Once believed to be extinct until one beluga sturgeon was found alive in the Caspian Sea, it is now considered to be an ancient living fossil. Because of its delicious meat, it is highly in-demand at exotic restaurants. Because of it is so expensive, many poachers are tempted to hunt down beluga sturgeon.
3. Giant Panda
This is one of the iconic animals that represents all the endangered species of the world. There are now only less than 1,000 pandas in the wild. Because of their beautiful and soft fur, they are sought after by poachers. In addition to this, their natural habitats are now disappearing because of deforestation.
2. Mountain Gorilla
Sad to say, there are only about 720 surviving gorillas in the wild and another 200 of them are living in the Virunga National Park. Thankfully, the active conservation efforts of the Democratic Republic of Congo have paid off. There had been a 14 percent increase in its population for the last 12 years.
1. Black Rhino
During the last few decades, the population of black rhinos has decreased by 90 percent. There are now about 3000 rhinos in the world today and if poaching continues, they are believed to get extinct within the next few years.
The list above may change. Some may increase, and other may decrease even more. May be, by the next time someone will make a list of these endangered species, one of the animals listed here may be officially extinct. This is the sad state of our Mother Earth. While there are efforts made to salvage these animals, it is never enough as long as there are greedy people who are motivated by their selfish ambitions. It is time to make a stand. It is time to make a change and the change starts with you.
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