Top 10 Endangered Animals and Species

Why is it important to think about endangered animals and species? Because they do not have enough time on this planet and are on the verge of extinction. The species and animals are considered endangered when the population declines between 50 and 70 percent. There are approximately 41,415 species that are considered endangered on the red list (IUCN). One of the major concerns is that this list had lined up from 16,118 from last year. The greatest reason for this threat to the survival of animals and species is one and only human beings. Another factor responsible for these animals getting endangered is climate change and habitat destruction. To know more about the top 10 endangered animals and species, Keep Reading!

List of Top 10 Endangered Animals

S.No.	Common Name	Scientific Name
1	Giant Panda	Ailuropoda Melanoleuca
2	Tiger	Panthera tigris
3	Whooping crane	Grus americana
4	Blue whale	Balaenoptera musculus
5	Asian elephant	Elephas maximus
6	Sea otter	Enhydra lutris
7	Snow leopard	Panthera uncia
8	Gorilla	Gorilla beringei
9	Tasmanian devils	Sarcophilus harrisii
10	Orangutan	Pongo pygmaeus

Giant Panda  (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca)

One of the most lovable animals is the panda or Ailuropoda Melanoleuca as they are the kitschiest animal in the world. But these lovable animals are driven by certain factors to the brink of extinction. One of the main reasons for these lovable beasts standing on the verge of declining is habitat destruction. As the population of China is continuously growing there is huge destruction to the habitat of pandas pushing them to take a small portion of livable areas. Pandas feed on various types of bamboo that bloom at different times of the year and due to the destruction of these bamboo through development these innocent animals get nothing to eat. Thus due to starvation, pandas are getting endangered. Further, the remaining fewer population of pandas (approximately 2,500) are in China. These species of the panda are provided with habitat protection however, their status is still on the verge of extinction.

Tiger (Panthera Tigris) 

Forests of the night according to William Blake, tigers are burning as bright as the sun. The major reason for the diminishing of these felines is the slash-and-burn of agriculture, human encroachment and logging. There are fewer than 4,000 tigers left in the world. There are many laws made to favour these felines including the ban on the consumption of endangered species whose body parts, bones, and penises are superstitiously believed to have some sort of magical powers to cure.

Whooping Crane (Grus Americana) 

In 1938 there was a survey conducted for the very first time to analyse the population of whooping cranes and there were only 29 of them remained in wild on earth. After three years only 16 of them remained and this made a matter of concern as the major reason for the decline in population was hunting and the reduction of wetland habitat that is necessary for their survival. However, there were valuable efforts made to preserve these animals from getting extinct after the 1960s. The only self-sustaining population of these whooping cranes migrate between Alberta, Canada and US. Currently, there are more than 400 birds due to the innovative breeding programs organised by countries to save these animals. 

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus)

The blue whale or Balaenoptera musculus is the largest animal on the earth. Blue whales comprise several species found in almost all parts of the world’s oceans, but there are less than 25,000 blue whales left on the planet. Further the current population of blue whales are estimated to get reduced by more than 90% in the 20th century which is a matter of concern. However, these animals are being saved due to laws made by many countries including the US. there is an ultimate ban on the commercial hunting of blue whales since 1966.

Asian Elephant (Elephas Maximus)

Asian Elephants are scientifically known as the Elephas maximus. Asian elephants inhabit 13 counties but sadly there are only 40,000-50,000 of them remaining on Earth as estimated by IUCN. more than 50% of the population of Asian elephants reside in India. The greatest threat to these elephants are burgeoning and the gradual increase in the human population in India creates conflict between space and resource between humans and elephants. The tusks of Asian elephants are much smaller than African elephants, however, these elephants are still hunted for their meat, skin and ivory. Asian elephants are one of the top 10 endangered animals.

Sea Otter (Enhydra Lutris) 

Enhydra lutris or sea otters are on the verge of extinction due to the luxurious waterproof coat that saves them from chilly waters. Yes, it is their furry coat that led them to a target in the commercial fur trade. It was only 2,000 sea otters left on earth when an international ban on their commercial hunting was enacted. Further, they are also highly vulnerable to various natural phenomena including Killer whale predation.

Snow Leopard (Panthera Uncia) 

The snow leopard or Panthera Uncia is a sort of frosted version of equatorial region habitats and is also related to a tiger as per genetic analyses. There are only 6,500 snow leopards remaining in the wild. These leopards have been hunted for being a problem to farmers as they prey on domestic animals mostly.  Further, their poaching is a major threat to the leopard species getting extinct.

Gorilla (Gorilla beringei) 

There are two species of gorillas that is eastern gorillas and western gorillas, the most shameful thing is both of them are on the verge of getting extinct. There are only 220,000 of these gorillas including western and eastern remain in the wild. The major reason for their being on the verge is poaching for bushmeat. Another reason for their fewer chances of survival is their social structure as their females reproduce once in four years at best.

Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus Harrisii)

Tasmanian devil or Sarcophilus harrisii is one of the top 10 endangered animals. The population of Tasmanian devils had a major drop of about 60% in 1996 and 2008 due to cancer known as Devil Facial Tumour Disease. Further, this disease continues to decline in the species of Tasmanian devils, however, efforts are being made to develop a vaccine for this disease. Only 10,000 Tasmanian devils are remaining that only occur on the Australian island of Tasmania.

Orangutan (Pongo Pygmaeus) 

Malaysian word Orangutan means a person of the forest and has a scientific name pongo pygmaeus. Orangutans are also known to use tools like gorillas and chimpanzees. Further, orangutans are restricted to the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra due to logging and being captured for the exotic pet trade. There are only 60,000 of these orangutans that remain according to a study held in 2004.

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