Emeka Nweze
Humans are changing the world negatively, constant deforestation, pollution and poaching have led rapid disappearance of thousands of beloved wildlife species that make earth what it is. These animals are hunted and killed for their skins, their meat or for medicinal purposes at the detriment of their existence.
Below is list of some of the most endangered Animals in the world.
1. Amur Leopard
The Amur Leopard has been classified as critically endangered since 1966 by International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The wild cats are hunted and killed for their fur and their habitats have been constantly destroyed by humans for agriculture and settlements. The Amur Leopard are recorded to be less than 70 today.
2. Sea Turtles
All sea turtles are threatened with extinction, but the closest is the Hawksbill Sea Turtle. These animals are known to breed rarely and grow slowly, hence constant hunting by humans have not done them any good. The turtles are killed for food, and trinkets.
3. Tiger
Of the nine tiger species , three are already extinct and many others are critically endangered. Tigers have been hunted for their distinctive patterned fur, meat and traditional medicine.
4. Gorillas
Two out of five subspecies of Gorillas (Cross River and Mountain Gorillas) have been classified endangered since 1996. There are currently only 200-300 Cross River Gorillas and Mountain Gorillas left in the wild.
5. Orangutan
All three species of Orangutans – the Sumatran, the Bornean, and the Tapanului – are critically endangered with about 60,000 surviving across all three. Efforts have been ,made to save group, but deforestation and poaching presents a stumbling block.
6. Saola
Since their discovery in 1992, the Saola have remained one of the most rearrest large mammals in the world, and has been deemed critically endangered by the IUCN
7. Rhinos
The Javan, Sumatran, and Black Rhinos, are among the most endangered species in the world. The Black and Sumatran Rhino have been classified as critically endangered with only less than 100 of the latter still in existence. The Javan Rhino is the most threatened with a population of only 60.
8. Sumatran Elephant
The Sumaatran Elephants are the mist endangered species of Elephant, with less than 2,800 spread across several pockets. Some have been poached, while others unfortunately get caught up in traps at palm oil plantations.
9. Pangolin
The Pangolin are the most trafficked animal in the world, and this has resulted in all eight species being under threat of extinction. They are mostly trafficked for their scales which can be sold on the black market for up to $3,00 per kg
10. Vaquita
The Vaquita is one of the rarest marine mammal in the world, with only less than 100 thought to exist on earth.
