There are millions of species of animals across the globe, all with their own unique features, habits, and personalities. You’ve probably not heard of these 17 incredible animals, and unfortunately, mainly due to the actions of humans, they are on the brink of extinction.
The Vaquita
The vaquita is the world’s smallest cetacean, found only in the northern part of the Gulf of California. According to the WWF, they are “the world’s rarest marine mammal.” Numbers of these animals have been in decline due to them being accidentally caught in fishing nets meant for catching the totoaba fish.
The Angelshark
These sharks were once commonly found across the North Atlantic, but today they are rarely found outside of the coast that surrounds the Canary Islands. The angelshark has a distinctive flat body and board fins, which make it resemble more of a ray.
The Kākāpō
Kākāpōs are a type of parrot that is native to New Zealand. The birds are nocturnal, flightless, and known for their moss-green feathers. Unfortunately, animals such as cats and stoats are known for hunting these birds, and their numbers have declined as a result.
The Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tree Spider
This beautiful spider has vibrant blue and yellow markings, making it popular and valuable in the exotic pet trade. This, along with habitat destruction, has meant that the numbers are decreasing. The tarantulas are found in Andhra Pradesh, India, and they live in holes in tall trees.
The Ploughshare Tortoise
Found only in northwest Madagascar, the ploughshare tortoise has a high-domed golden shell. Unfortunately, this unique characteristic makes them very desirable among collectors, and Turtle Conservancy is focusing its efforts on trying “to stop poaching and to reclaim animals from illegal collections and place them in accredited captive breeding programs.”
The Saola
Often called the ‘Asian unicorn,’ the saola is a rare bovine animal that is only found in the Annamite range of Vietnam and Laos. It was discovered in 1992 but has rarely been seen in the wild since, meaning knowledge and photographs of the animal are scarce.
The Amur Leopard
Native to the forests of northern China and eastern Russia, the amur leopard is one of the world’s most endangered leopard species. As with other types of big cats, numbers have decreased due to poaching and the loss of natural habitats. The amur has pale yellow fur with dark spots.
The Javan Rhino
Javans, one of the most endangered species of rhino, are only known to live in the Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia. The International Rhino Foundation found there was an “estimated high of 76 rhinos in 2022.” These small numbers threaten the future of the species.
The Sumatran Elephant
Sumatran elephants are only found on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and are a subspecies of the Asian elephant; they are smaller in size and have fewer tusks. These incredible animals help to maintain forests on the island by dispersing seeds as they move around, but sadly, their numbers have halved over the past 25 years.
The Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat
According to the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, “the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is the largest burrowing marsupial in the world, and one of Australia’s rarest mammals.” It is estimated that there are only about 250 of these animals remaining due to their habitats being destroyed.
The Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle
Yangtze giant softshells are the world’s rarest species of turtle and are on the brink of extinction because numbers have reached a critical low. Found in freshwater rivers and swamps in Vietnam and China, they have a smooth, soft shell and pig-like snout.
The Forest Owlet
Forest owlets are small owls that are only found in the forests of central India. It was actually thought that the species was extinct until 1997 when they were rediscovered. Unfortunately, a lack of awareness among locals and the loss of habitats means the species is still under threat.
The Hirola Antelope
Poaching, predators, drought, and habitat destruction have all contributed to the decrease in hirola antelope numbers over the last decades, making them critically endangered. The animals have distinctive horns and white markings around their eyes and can be found grazing the grasslands of the Kenya-Somalia border.
The Cuban Greater Funnel-eared Bat
Found in just a few caves in western Cuba, the funnel-eared bats are vulnerable to disturbances in their habitats, as they live in such restricted areas. As their name suggests, they have large funnel-shaped ears, and although small in size, they are critical for the local ecosystem as they help to control insect numbers.
The Philippine Eagle
The Philippine eagle is one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, but it is only found in the forests of the Philippines. It has a huge, arched beak and long crown feathers, making it a breathtaking sight. However, deforestation, hunting, and low birth rates mean that the species is critically endangered.
The Roloway Monkey
These monkeys have a distinctive white beard and chest, but unfortunately, they are thought to be one of the most endangered monkeys in Africa. Their forest habitats have been slowly destroyed, and the animals have also been hunted for bushmeat, meaning numbers have rapidly decreased.
Attenborough’s Pitcher Plant
Although this is a plant, it is a carnivorous species that traps insects and small animals in its large pitchers. It was named after Sir David Attenborough and is only found on a single mountain on the island of Palawan. This makes it extremely vulnerable to habitat disruption and climate change.
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