15 Animals On The Verge Of Extinction
#14 Sumatran Orangutan
Declining at approximately 1,000 per year, the mammal may possibly be wiped out in less than a decade as there are no more than 7,500 orangutans left around the world due to logging fires and other activities that have destroyed its habitat.
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15:
The Amur Leopard
Due to road construction, over-logging and illegal hunting, The Amur Leopard's numbers are almost depleted. It's believed that only 14-20 adults are confirmed to be living in a forest nearby its natural habitat in the snowy regions of Asia
14:
Sumatran Orangutan
Declining at approximately 1,000 per year, the mammal may possibly be wiped out in less than a decade as there are no more than 7,500 orangutans left around the world due to logging fires and other activities that have destroyed its habitat.
13:
Javan Rhinoceros
Compared to other mammals, the Javan rhinoceros has almost been hunted to extinction as there's only 40-60 of them left. Though there is still a very small population left, they may not be able to expand due to their own mating rituals.
12:
Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
Believed to be the most endangered species, the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker used to be found in the Southeast areas of the United States but depending on more research, they may be extinct already. A rescue mission has been initiated in hopes of finding some signs of life.
11:
The Cross River Gorilla
Found in areas of West Africa, it's believed there's only a few hundred of these species left due to illegal hunting that's affected the Cross River Gorilla's population for almost 25 years.
10:
The Greater Bamboo Lemur
Common to Madagascar, the lemur has seen its population decrease due to the region's illegal hunting and habitat loss. If it continues at a steady rate, the Greater Bamboo Lemur specifically will undoubtedly become extinct.
9:
The Northern Right Whale
Next to several other marine animals, the Northern Right Whale posses quantities of oil which is the reason its been hunted and killed since the 1970s'. It is a protected animal now but there is a lingering fear it won't be for much longer.
8:
Iberian Lynx
One of the major mammals in peril, the Iberian Lynx is now cut down to a population of around 120, divided into small groups in Spain's Andalusia region. Habitat destruction and a collapsing rabbit population are the main reasons for the Lynx being on the verge of extinction.
7:
Leatherback Sea Turtle
The largest turtle known today, the Leatherback is known to lay its eggs on the shores of tropical island which has in return endangered its species due to the value their eggs carry. Pollution of the sea, including oil spills, is also leading to the turtle's extinction.
6:
The Amur Tiger
Found in the cold parts of China and Korea, the Amur Tiger, like it's leopard cousin, is nearly on the point of extinction. Numbers and specialists indicate that their number was reduced to just under 50 but has rebounded to 500 because of being put into protection by wildlife services.
5:
The Chinese Giant Salamander
Though it does the have the ability to lay 500 eggs at the same time, the largest species of salamander is commonly hunted for its meat which has in turn destroyed most of its habitat in most parts in China.
4:
The Kakapo Parrot
Once common throughout the country of New Zealand, the only parrot that remains flightless throughout its entire life is on the verge of extinction due to hunting. Because of its weight, it's also endangered due to predators such as rats, cats and dogs with less than 150 left.
3:
Dama Gazelle
In the last decade, 80 per cent of the species has disappeared due to hunting and the destruction of their own habitat. There are groups of 100 spread across Africa in areas such as Chad, Niger and Mali, but there's no signs of improvement due to excessive unauthorized hunting.
2:
Chinese Alligator
The minature alligator barely grows longer than two meters or heavier than 40 kilograms and calls the Yangtze river its own habitat, however it's stated that only 100-200 are left in their own natural environment. It's the same environment linked to the now extinct Chinese river dolphin.
1:
Black Rhinoceros
Similar to their cousins, black rhinos are actually a shade of grey but have a more distinctive horn that's much more valuable. Since the turn of the century, their population has been rapidly decreasing with only a few thousand left in some parts of West Africa.
