Today, over 30 million different animal species live on planet Earth, and while most have adapted to their environments or thrived, there are still those that haven't. We're here to look at the amazingly rare animals that are on the brink of extinction and what we can do to help them.
With millions of amazing animal species on Earth, it's easy to forget about those we don't encounter regularly. The Holocene extinction, or sixth extinction, is the one we're currently experiencing on Earth, and it includes a number of rare animals. These are just a few of the amazing animals on the brink of extinction that scientists hope we can bring back for good.
No. 18: Pinta Island Turtle
These large turtles are native to Ecuador, and an elderly tortoise named Lonesome George was thought to be the last of his kind. His extinction was tragic, but fortunately, they found a group of young turtles, apparently a hybrid of the Pinta Island tortoise species. Since Pinta turtles were once kept on ships as livestock, when they were no longer useful, they were discarded at sea, and for these lucky ones, they were what remained of a nearly extinct species. .
No. 17: Amur leopard
This leopard subspecies is native to southeastern Russia and is exceptionally beautiful with its spots and markings. Unfortunately, these beautiful markings meant that hunting brought them to the brink of extinction, and the only way to save them is a targeted conservation approach and an absolute ban on hunting these unique creatures. With only 20 leopards believed to remain in the world today, the situation is quite dire.
No. 16: Vaquita
These unique members of the porpoise family can be found in the Atlantic waters of the United States and Canada. Humans hunt these whales for oil and their relatively simple harvesting process, making them easy prey. With only 350 individuals remaining in the oceans today, it's crucial to end the hunting of these magnificent mammals, which is precisely what they hope to achieve with their well-deserved protected status.
No. 15: Mountain Gorilla
The mountain gorilla is hunted for its aggressive nature, and people who come into contact with it believe it causes some harm. The eastern gorilla subspecies is currently critically endangered and is likely to lose even more due to habitat loss and poaching. There are only about 300 mountain gorillas left in the world, and unfortunately, they are not yet a protected species, making them a popular target for poachers.
No. 14: Spix's Macaw
This Brazilian bird is certainly bright and beautiful, but unfortunately, it can only be found in zoos these days. Some reports claim to have seen this beautiful bird in Brazil, but such sightings seem to be becoming increasingly rare. Their main tree was cut down, but conservation efforts are currently underway, which we hope will be successful for this vibrant bird.
#13: Salt Creek Tiger Beetle
Yes, beetles can go extinct too, and the Salt Creek tiger beetle is native to the United States. Fortunately, it's one species that is actually recovering. Its natural habitat is being replaced by conservation and preservation efforts, which are certainly making a difference. Hopefully, we can take note of what worked here and try to emulate it for some of the other animals on this list.
No. 12: Pika
This cute little hamster-like animal is sadly close to extinction. A close relative of the rabbit, this short, round mammal is found in the mountainous regions of Asia, but is also found in North America. Experts believe the pika has many different subspecies, all now completely extinct, but there are still some living creatures whose survival they have been working to preserve for many years. Some believe the pika is the basis for the famous Pokémon character Pikachu, so it would be a shame to lose such a beautiful animal and cultural icon.
No. 11: Bornean Orangutan
Unsurprisingly, many orangutan subspecies are critically endangered, but the Bornean orangutans face some of the most serious threats. As their name suggests, these orangutans are native to the island of Borneo and are part of the only genus of great apes native to the area. Overall, the orangutan population in the wild has declined by approximately 501,000,000 individuals, a truly staggering figure.
No. 10: Sumatran Rhinoceros
This amazing animal, also known as the hairy rhinoceros, is very close to extinction. The last sighting of them in the wild was in 2016, underscoring just how many remain in the world. Attempts were made many years ago to preserve this species in captivity, but of the 40 individuals they kept, none succeeded in reproducing, and most died out within 20 years. The remainder were released into the wild.
No. 9: Giant Otter
We've all seen cute little otters before and marveled at how much fun they have in the water with their friends, but did you know there's also a giant otter, an endangered species? The giant otter is a South American otter that can grow to over five feet, making it far more impressive than other known subspecies.
No. 8: Darwin's Fox
These charming foxes are endangered due to their small population, as only two populations are known to exist on Earth. Named after Charles Darwin, who discovered this species, the Darwin's fox is one of the smallest species of fox. Only 250 foxes are believed to survive on Chloe Island, with another 70 or so living on the mainland—a critically low number.
#7: Black-footed Ferret
The incredibly cute black-footed ferret is another animal threatened with extinction due to its extremely small and limited range and population. They are known as one of the most endangered species in all of North America, with only 300 individuals believed to remain on the planet. Numerous conservation efforts have been made, but most have been unsuccessful.
No. 6: Manis
This species of pangolin is considered one of the most endangered animals on the planet. These scaly creatures, capable of curling up into a ball, are certainly unique, but sadly, they are becoming increasingly rare. There are eight different species of pangolin, all fortunately protected, but humans are the most endangered. As one of the rarest animals we have, we sincerely hope that conservation efforts for this amazing species will be beneficial.
#5: Peruvian Spider Monkey
This amazing creature, also known as the black-faced spider monkey, is native to Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia. This animal was classified as critically endangered in 2014, and numerous efforts have been made since then to restore its population. These monkeys are known to live in large groups of up to 35 individuals and are rarely seen alone, making them truly social animals.
No. 4: White Vulture
Although vultures are known for hunting other animals, this doesn't mean they aren't an important part of the ecosystem. The white-tailed vulture is native to South and Southeast Asia and has been listed as endangered since 2000. In the 1980s, it was one of the most numerous birds of prey in the world, with numbers reaching into the millions. Today, its population has declined significantly.
No. 3: Saola
This incredibly rare mammal is also known as the Asian unicorn, and its beauty is unlike any other animal. It is one of the most recently discovered animals, and also one of the most endangered, so conservation efforts for this special beast are at an all-time high. Scientists who have been documenting saolas in the wild have found that there are only four left today.
No. 2: Javan Rhinoceros
The Javan rhinoceros is now officially extinct in Vietnam, meaning conservation efforts are at a critical point. These large animals were hunted to extinction many years ago, but were saved thanks to conservation efforts. Currently, approximately 60 subspecies of rhinoceros live in a park on the island of Java, Indonesia, and significant conservation efforts are underway.
No. 1: Rhinoceros
The rhinoceros as a whole is an endangered species, with two subspecies—the Javan and Sumatran—being critically endangered. The reason for this massive decline is poaching for its horns, which has now made them a protected species.