An endangered species is a species considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
More than 48,600 species are threatened with extinction.
I have picked 20 endangered species around the world.
#1 Amur Leopard
They are a subspecies of leopards that have adapted to live in the mountains and forests of northern China and eastern Russia.
Amur leopards are probably the rarest big cat in the world, with only about 120 left in the wild.
They live for 10 to 15 years, and in captivity up to two decades.
#2 Javan Rhinoceros
Javan rhinos are the most threatened of the five rhino species, and can only be found on the island of Java.
There are only about 70 left in Ujung Kulon National Park. Their decline is mainly attributed to poaching for the males’ horns.
#3 Asian Elephant
The Asian elephant is the largest land animal in Asia (slightly smaller than their African cousins), and there are an estimated 20K to 40K left in the wild. They consume up to 150 kg of plant matter per day.
#4 Mountain Gorilla
Mountain gorillas are one of the largest and strongest living primates. The mountain gorilla is listed as endangered by the IUCN. Only about 1,000 of these great apes remain in the wild.
The lifespan of mountain gorillas is 50 to 60 years.
#5 Sumatran Tiger
It is a subspecies of tiger native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Conflicts with humans are a major threat to the Sumatran tiger. Fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers are estimated to remain in the wild, and there are about 375 captive Sumatran tigers.
Editor’s Pick
#6 Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Hawksbills are named for their narrow, pointed beak.
They can survive on a diet consisting of sponges. It is one of seven species of marine turtle and one of the world’s most endangered reptiles.
#7 Chinese Giant Salamander
Chinese giant salamanders are the world’s biggest amphibians.
They can reach 1.8 m in length and weigh approximately 11 kg. Chinese Giant Salamander is endangered due to over-harvesting and habitat loss.
The wild population has declined by 80 percent since the 50s.
#8 Red Panda
Red pandas can be easily identified by their unique ruddy coat color, with a wide skull and a robust lower jaw. The white on the red panda’s face is almost luminescent.
Their range covers areas of Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, India, and China. There are fewer than 2500 of these creatures left in the wild.
#9 Snow Leopard
The snow leopard is native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. They are able to leap as far as 50 feet. Snow leopards face poaching and habitat loss. Unfortunately, there are about 4000 snow leopards left in the wild.
#10 North Atlantic Right Whale
It is one of three right whale species. Adults weigh up to 70K kg and reach lengths of up to 15 meters.
There are only around 370 individual North Atlantic right whales left. They have been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1970.
#11 Tapanuli Orangutan
It is a species of orangutan restricted to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.
The entirety of the species is found in an area of about 1,000 km2. The Tapanuli orangutan is an endangered species of great ape. There are fewer than 800 tapanuli orangutans left on the island.
#12 African Penguin
The African penguin is a species of penguin confined to southern African waters. Unlike their Antarctic-dwelling cousins, African Penguins thrive in the heat. There are fewer than 20K exemplaries left in the world. In the last three decades, they have suffered an estimated 80 percent population collapse.
#13 Philippine Crocodile
The Philippine crocodile is one of two species of crocodiles found in the Philippines. It is one of the most endangered crocodiles on the planet.
#14 Saola
The Saola is one of the most distinctive mammals in the world. It was first described in 1993, and the first photograph of a living saola was taken in 1993.
Native to Vietnam and Laos, it lives only in the wild. The last conclusive proof that the saola still existed was in 2013.
#15 Ethiopian Wolf
It is a canine native to the Ethiopian Highlands that can reach up to 40 cm in length.
Ethiopian wolves live in tight packs of 3 to 13 adults, and the overall adult population is estimated to be around 400.
#16 Smalltooth Sawfish
The smalltooth sawfish is found in the coastal and estuarine parts of the Atlantic.
It weighs up to 350 kg, and there are about 5000 adults left in the world.
#17 Bornean Orangutan
Bornean orangutans live on the Indonesian island of Borneo. It is estimated that there are fever thant 50K Bornean orangutans left in the wild.
#18 Kakapo
The kakapo is a flightless bird native to New Zealand. The kākāpō is placed in the family Strigopidae and has adapted its senses to living in darkness. There are 236 kākāpō alive today.
#19 Golden Poison Frog
The golden poison frog is endemic to the Pacific coast of Colombia and has become endangered due to habitat destruction.
It is considered one of the most toxic animals on Earth (produces enough poison to kill 10 humans).
#20 Vaquita
The vaquita is the most endangered cetacean in the world. It only lives in the northern part of the Gulf of California in Mexico.