Endangered Animals

Written by: Keya Gambhir

You may have heard the term ‘Endangered Animal’ before and been unsure of what exactly that meant. An endangered animal is a species that is at risk of going extinct, or no longer having any living members. This is a very sad reality, however, it is important to remain aware of these animals and help those around us know about them as well. Let’s take a look at some of the most at-risk animals today.

1. Javan Rhinos

The Javan Rhino is an extraordinary animal that can run up to 30 miles per hour and weigh over 3 tonnes! Unfortunately, hunting and habitat loss have led to the steady decline of this species, with only 75 live Javan Rhinos that can only be found in Java, Indonesia.

2. Tapanuli Orangutan

This primate (mammals with five fingers, fingernails, and forward-facing eyes) suffered losses especially between 1985 and 2007 as many of their forests in Indonesia were lost to logging. There are less than 800 members of the species alive today.

3. Hawksbill Turtles

These magnificent marine animals are found in coastal regions of the Atlantic, the Indian, and the Pacific Ocean. Because of reasons such as accidental fishing, coral reef damage, and illegal capturing for trade, this species has seen an 80% decline in population over the last 30 years. Today, there are an estimated number of 20,000-23,000 Hawksbill Turtles on Earth.

What about animals that have already gone extinct? What led to their extinction, and what can we learn from them?

1. Dinosaurs

Dinosaurs used to roam our planet 66 million years ago. They were giant creatures that were a part of the lizard family and had lived on the Earth for longer than humans have so far! While there are debates surrounding the cause of their extinction, most scientists believe that a giant asteroid colliding with the Earth and the following effects were why these breathtaking reptiles are no longer alive.

2. Woolly Mammoth 

A group of elephants, the Woolly Mammoths, once roamed the frozen grounds of the Earth during the Ice Age. What’s cool about these animals is that they existed at the same time as humans, even though they are so prehistoric. What’s not so cool is that one reason they went extinct is that humans overhunted these animals, coupled with the warming of Earth and the end of the Ice Age.

3. Saber-Toothed Cat

These ancient cats existed during a period called the Oligocene epoch when grasslands were spreading throughout Earth. Existing long after the Age of the Dinosaurs, these large cats were the dominant predator on Earth. When their main prey source, the mastodon started to die out, so did the saber-toothed cat, as they no longer had a stable food source.

Earth has had a long history that predates humans, and throughout time the cycle of extinction has continued. This doesn’t mean that we can’t help these animals. Supporting non-profit organizations such as WildAid and NOAA Fisheries can be a very helpful tool for preserving these beautiful animals for the future. 

If you enjoyed today’s article or would like to know more about how to help these animals, feel free to reach out using our contact forms!