There are many animals considered by the IUCN to be critically endangered. But have you ever wanted to learn more about the most critically endangered species in the world? Perhaps you’re curious which animals are the most rare and how they got to be that way. If so, keep reading as we explore our top 10 list of animals that are nearly extinct.
What You'll Learn Today
1. Tuatara
Tuataras look similar to lizards but belong to a different order of reptiles. Native to New Zealand, they are the only remaining species of their order, which has been around since the time of the dinosaurs.
Tuataras are considered living fossils due to their ancient lineage. They were once thought to be extinct from mainland New Zealand; though they have been reintroduced, it is thought that there are only around 55,500 individuals left in the wild.
Since these reptiles only live in parts of New Zealand, they are highly vulnerable to habitat loss and non-native predators that have been introduced. They are protected under multiple laws in an effort to protect their numbers from diminishing further.
2. Sea Turtle
There are seven sea turtle species in the world, and six of them are considered endangered. Two of these species, the hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley, are classified as critically endangered.
There are thought to be just 20,000 to 23,000 Hawksbill turtles left in the wild. Both hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley turtles have seen an 80% decrease in their numbers within the last three decades or so.
Loss of habitat, illegal poaching, and accidental fishing gear entanglement are thought to be the top causes of their diminishing populations. Efforts are being made to save these turtles from extinction, as you can see in the video below:
3. Orangutan
Orangutans are found only in Sumatra and Borneo. There are three distinct species of these great apes, all of which are considered endangered.
Though there are still around 104,000 Bornean orangutans in the wild, only about 14,000 Sumatran orangutans remain. Tapanuli orangutans are the rarest species, with 800 or less remaining in their native habitat.
Habitat loss is thought to be the greatest contributing factor to the diminishing numbers of orangutans. For example, in North Sumatra, where the Tapanuli orangutan is found, saw a 40% decrease in its native forests in just over 20 years, between 1985 and 2007.
4. Rhinoceros
There are five current rhinoceros species, though many other extinct species have also been identified. Most of the extant species today are considered endangered, with only around 30,000 total individuals found in the wild today.
Javan rhinos are some of the most critically endangered, with just 60 individuals remaining. White rhinos are considered possibly extinct in the wild, with only two females and no males of the species remaining in captivity.
Rhinos face many threats that have contributed to their declining numbers. These threats include disease, natural disasters, loss of natural food sources, and poaching.
5. Amur Leopard
Amur leopards are extremely rare large cats found only in remote portions of eastern Russia and northeastern China. They have been critically endangered since 1996.
The wild population of Amur leopards appears to be stable and may be increasing. That said, there are still only around 100 individuals currently remaining in their native habitat.
Though these leopards face many threats like habitat loss and prey scarcity, there is hope that they will avoid extinction. The majority of Amur leopards live on lands that are now protected under law, and others are moving into relatively safe areas outside of the protection zones, potentially expanding their range.
6. Gorilla
There are two main gorilla species, each with two subspecies, all of which live in the tropical forests of Africa. Three out of the four subspecies of gorilla are considered critically endangered.
It is thought that only 2,600 eastern gorillas remain in the wild. The number of western gorillas is unclear, but their populations are thought to be declining as well.
Habitat loss, political unrest, and encroachment from humans have all contributed to gorillas’ decline. Fortunately, they are showing signs of making a recovery thanks to various conservation efforts.
7. Vaquita
Vaquitas are small porpoises found in the waters around Baja California, Mexico. These critically endangered creatures are some of the rarest in the world.
Exact numbers of individuals remaining vary by source, but it’s thought that there are as few as 10 left in the wild. They have declined to these staggering numbers from 570 in just a decade.
The primary reason for the vaquita’s decline has been illegal fishing operations off the coast of Baja California. Though they are not the target of these operations, they often become tangled in gillnets, where they subsequently drown.
8. Saola
The saola is a large bovine found in parts of Laos and Vietnam. It is the only species in the Pseudoryx genus and is one of the rarest large mammals in the world.
Saolas were first discovered in 1992, and not much is known about their behavior or nature. They are elusive creatures, but scientists estimate that there are fewer than 100 individuals left in their native habitat.
Poaching and habitat loss are primarily responsible for the diminishing numbers of saolas. Though some conservation efforts have been made, political tension and rough terrain make these efforts challenging.
9. Yangtze Finless Porpoise
This toothed whale species is native to China’s Yangtze River and is the only known freshwater animal of its kind in the country. It is considered critically endangered due to small and declining numbers in the wild.
There are thought to be somewhere between 1,000 and 1,800 of these aquatic mammals left, with the population declining by 13% each year. Fortunately, numbers are beginning to stabilize thanks to conservation efforts.
Habitat degradation in the form of water pollution and overfishing have been largely to blame for the decline of the Yangtze finless porpoise. They are now considered a “first level protected species” in China.
10. Sunda Island Tiger
The Sunda Island tiger is one of the rarest tiger subspecies in the world. These large cats are only found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
There are just 3,900 total individual tigers left in the world living on just 4% of their native range. Of the total numbers, there are just 400 to 600 Sunda Island tigers.
As more and more humans move into areas where these tigers live, their numbers are expected to continue declining. Habitat loss, poaching, and illegal selling of tiger parts are some of the biggest threats they face.
Conclusion
Many animals are growing dangerously close to extinction as their numbers grow increasingly small in the wild. These animals include vaquitas, Amur leopards, saolas, rhinoceroses, and gorillas.
