The rapid loss of species we are seeing today is estimated by experts to be between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate. The frightening truth is that our planet is now in the midst of its sixth mass extinction of plants and animals. There are now 16,306 species that are on the verge of extinction. Earth has lost 50 percent of its wildlife in the past 40 years according to One Green Planet.
Scientist have observed that the rate at which plant and animal species are going extinct on Earth are nearly 1,000 times higher than normal. It is sad because species are disappearing as the result of our own actions. Habitat and degradation coupled with an altered climate and rapidly warming global temperatures has fundamentally changed the very biosphere of our planet. This is forcing species to adapt or perish at a rapid pace, and trends have shown a strong tendency to the latter. We need to spread the knowledge of the shocking information.
Below are just 10 of the thousands of species that are endangered.
1.The Javan Rhino
The most threatened of the five rhino species. There are an estimated of 58 to 61 Javan rhinos left. They were found throughout Eurasia and Africa but their numbers have dropped dramatically because of human activity. Poaching has escalated in recent years and is being driven by the demand for rhino horn in Asian countries. The rhinos that are left survive in protected areas living in Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia.
2. The Snow Leopard
There is estimated 4,500 to 7,500 snow leopards living in the mountains of central Asia. It is believed that 60% of the entire population of snow leopards live in China and Mongolia. Poaching still constitutes as a major threat to the species, as does overhunting.
3.The Vaquita
These creatures are critically endangered. It is said that there are fewer than 50 vaquitas that remain in the wild. The reason their numbers are so low is because of incidental death due to fishing. They die in gillnets set out for sharks, rays, and chano. They are currently living in the Gulf of California.
4.The Tiger
Of the original nine subspecies of tigers, three have become extinct in the last 80 years. Sadly it has been predicted that all tigers may become extinct in the wild within the next decade. There is an estimated of 3,000 to 3,600 tigers left. Their habitat has been destroyed, and removed by human activities. The clearing of the forest is just one of the serious threats we pose. Fewer tigers can survive in small areas which leads to a higher risk of inbreeding and male tigers more vulnerable to poaching.
5.The Giant Panda
We all love pandas, from stuffed animals to kung fu CGI characters. We can’t seem to get enough of these bi colored animals. One of the main reasons they have become endangered is due to habitat destruction. Population in China continues to grow which means their habitat gets taken over, pushing them into smaller areas to live, resulting in food shortages.
6.The Blue Whale
The blue whale is the largest animal to have existed. In the 20th century the species was on the verge of being exterminated due to commercial whaling. It has slowly recovered, but it remains endangered and faces numerous threats such as ship strikes and climate change.
7.Mountain Gorilla
There are different types of gorillas, and all are endangered. Habitat encroachment and poaching for bushmeat, and trophies have led to substantial losses. Due to the fact that their social structure is so complex and because they reproduce slowly, the numbers are going down drastically. In Central Africa there are less than 400.
8.Ivory Billed Woodpecker
One of the largest woodpeckers in the world. Also a native to the virgin forest of the southeastern United States. The bird was considered extinct until recently in 2005, when it was spotted in Arkansas. It has suffered because its habitat was cleared for agriculture and lumber. The search continues to see this beautiful bird soon.
9.The Amur Leopard
It is one of the rarest big cats in the world, with an estimated 35 cats left in the wild. The Amur leopard is poached largely for its beautiful and spotted fur. Agriculture and villages are around the forest where the leopards live, making poaching a problem. These leopards are teetering on the brink of extinction.
10.Leatherback Sea Turtle
The population of the worlds largest turtle is dropping at an alarming rate. Pacific populations have declined over the last twenty years from over harvesting and interactions with fisheries. Leatherbacks feed on jellyfish, which can get a bit confusing for them when they see plastic bags floating in the ocean, which can kill them. There are as few as 2,300 adult females now, making the Pacific leatherback the worlds most endangered marine turtle.
