Content
- Can something just go out?
- Tiger
- Leather turtle
- Chinese giant salamander
- Sumatran Elephant
- Vaquita
- Saola
- Polar Bear
- North Atlantic Right Whale
- Monarch butterfly
- Royal Eagle
Do you know what it means to be in danger of extinction? There are more and more endangered animals, and although this is a theme that has become popular in recent decades, nowadays, many people do not know what it really means, why it happens and which animals are on this red list. It's no longer surprising when we hear the news about some new animal species that has entered this category.
According to official data about 5000 species are found in this state, numbers that have worsened alarmingly in the last 10 years. Currently, the entire animal kingdom is on alert, from mammals and amphibians to invertebrates.
If you are interested in this topic, keep reading. In Animal Expert we explain more in depth and tell you what they are the 10 most endangered animals in the world.
Can something just go out?
By definition the concept is very simple, a species that is in danger of extinction is a animal that is about to disappear or that there are very few left inhabiting the planet. The complex here is not the term, but its causes and subsequent consequences.
Seen from a scientific point of view, extinction is a natural phenomenon that has occurred since the beginning of time. Although it is true that some animals adapt better than others to new ecosystems, this constant competition finally translates into the disappearance of animal and plant species. However, the responsibility and influence that human beings have in these processes is increasing. The survival of hundreds of species is threatened thanks to factors such as: the drastic alteration of its ecosystem, excessive hunting, illegal trafficking, habitat destruction, global warming and many others. All of these produced and controlled by Man.
The consequences of the extinction of an animal can be very profound, in many cases, irreversible damage to the health of the planet and the human being. In nature everything is related and connected, when a species becomes extinct, an ecosystem is completely altered. Therefore, we may even lose biodiversity, the key element for the survival of life on Earth.
Tiger
this super cat is practically extinct and, for that very reason, we started the list of endangered animals in the world with him. There are no longer four species of tiger, there are only five sub-species located in the Asian territory. There are currently less than 3000 copies left. The tiger is one of the most endangered animals in the world, it is hunted for its invaluable skin, eyes, bones and even organs. In the illegal market, all the skin of this majestic creature can cost up to 50,000 dollars. Hunting and loss of habitation are the main reasons for their disappearance.
Leather turtle
Cataloged as the biggest and strongest in the world, the leatherback turtle (also known as the lute turtle), is capable of swimming practically all over the planet, from the tropics to the subpolar region. This extensive route is made in search of a nest and then to provide food for their young. From the 1980s until now its population has declined from 150,000 to 20,000 specimens.
The turtles often confuse the plastic that floats in the ocean with food, causing his death. They also lose their habitat due to the constant development of large hotels on the seafront, where they usually nest. It is one of the most alert species in the world.
Chinese giant salamander
In China, this amphibian has become popular as a food to the point where almost no specimens remain. At Andrias Davidianus (scientific name) can measure up to 2 meters, which makes it officially the biggest amphibian in the world. It is also threatened by the high levels of contamination in the forest streams of southwest and southern China, where they still inhabit.
Amphibians are an important link in aquatic environments, as they are predators of large amounts of insects.
Sumatran Elephant
this majestic animal is on the brink of extinction, being one of the most endangered species in the entire animal kingdom. Due to deforestation and uncontrolled hunting, it may be that in the next twenty years, this species will no longer exist. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) "although the Sumatran elephant is protected under Indonesian law, 85% of its habitat is outside protected areas."
Elephants have complex and narrow family systems, very similar to those of humans, they are animals with a very high degree of intelligence and sensitivity. are currently accounted for less than 2000 Sumatran elephants and this number continues to decline.
Vaquita
The vaquita is a cetacean that lives in the Gulf of California, was discovered only in 1958 and since then there are less than 100 specimens left. And the most critical species within the 129 species of marine mammals. Due to its imminent extinction, conservation measures were established, but the indiscriminate use of drag fishing does not allow the real advance of these new policies. This endangered animal is very enigmatic and shy, it hardly comes to the surface, which makes it easy prey for this type of massive practices (giant nets where they are trapped and mixed with other fish).
Saola
Saola is a "Bambi" (bovine) with spectacular spots on its face and long horns. Known as the "Asian unicorn" because it is very rare and almost never seen, it lives in isolated areas between Vietnam and Laos.
This antelope lived peacefully and alone until it was discovered and now hunted illegally. Furthermore, it is threatened by the constant loss of its habitat, caused by the heavy thinning of trees. Because it is very exotic, it entered the most wanted list, and therefore, it is one of the most endangered animals in the world. It is estimated that only 500 copies.
Polar Bear
This species happened to suffer all the consequences of climate changes. It can already be said that the polar bear is melting along with its environment. Their habitat is the arctic and they depend on maintaining the polar ice caps to live and feed. As of 2008, bears were the first vertebrate species listed in the Endangered Species Act of the United States.
The polar bear is a beautiful and fascinating animal. Among many of their characteristics are their abilities as natural hunters and swimmers who can sail non-stop for more than a week. An interesting fact is that they are invisible to infrared cameras, only the nose, eyes and breath are visible to the camera.
North Atlantic Right Whale
the whale species most endangered in the world. Scientific studies and animal organizations claim that there are fewer than 250 whales traveling along the Atlantic coast. Despite being officially a protected species, its limited population remains under threat from commercial fishing. Whales drown after being tangled up in nets and ropes for long periods of time.
These marine giants can measure up to 5 meters and weigh up to 40 tons. It is known that its real threat began in the 19th century with indiscriminate hunting, reducing its population by 90%.
Monarch butterfly
The monarch butterfly is another case of beauty and magic that flies through the air. They are special among all butterflies because they are the only ones that carry out the famous "monarch migration". Known worldwide as one of the widest migrations in the entire animal kingdom. Every year, four generations of monarch spawn fly together more than 4800 kilometers, from Nova Scotia to the woods of Mexico where they winter. Get traveler on it!
for the last twenty years the monarch population decreased by 90%. The sawdust plant, which serves both as food and as a nest, is being destroyed due to the increase in agricultural crops and the uncontrolled use of chemical pesticides.
Royal Eagle
Although there are several species of eagles, the golden eagle is the one that comes to mind when asked: if it could be a bird, which would it like to be? It is very popular, being part of our collective imagination.
Its home is almost the entire planet Earth, but it is widely seen flying through the airs of Japan, Africa, North America and Great Britain. Unfortunately in Europe, due to the reduction of its population, it is very difficult to observe this animal.The golden eagle has seen its natural habitat being destroyed due to constant development and constant deforestation, which is why there are fewer and fewer on the list of 10 animals in greatest danger of extinction in the world.
