Unfortunately, there are many animals that are close to extinction. We can, however, do our best to prevent more bad things from happening to these endangered species. I feel like lack of motivation may be one reason as to why we don’t always do what we can. These are nine endangered animals and why they are the bee’s knees.

1. Black Rhino

These rhinos are critically endangered. Greed, neglect, and illegal trade have severely decreased the numbers of this species in the wild. What makes rhinos interesting is that they are one of the world’s oldest mammals, so they are basically living fossils.

2. Hawksbill Turtle

Sea turtles are known to be very helpful for maintaining coral reefs and jellyfish populations. They also help tourism businesses bring in money for people to see them in the wild.

3. South China Tiger

Tigers in the wild were treated as a pest in China. A ban of tiger hunting in 1979 made it illegal to hunt these tigers anymore, but unfortunately it has not made the situation any better. South China tigers are considered extinct in the wild, as there are only 30-80 tigers left. Tigers have been used as majestic creature characters in folktales and fantasy stories, so the further protection of these remaining wild cats is culturally important.

4. Yangtze Finless Porpoise

These river porpoises are a very smart species that appear to be always smiling. Besides pollution, the Yangtze River’s porpoises are threatened by the lack of fish that are taken by fishermen in Asia.

5. Bengal Tiger

Mainly located in India, bengal tigers have beautiful, distinct stripes that are taken from them in fur trades. Also, global warming is believed to be threatening these forest tigers’ home in the Sundarbans. The good news is that the numbers of these tigers has been on the rise. By saving just one bengal tiger, thousands of acres of forest are protected, being that the bengal tiger is on the top of the forest’s food chain.

6. Blue Whale

Blue whales are actually very fascinating. They are the largest animal on earth, eat four tons of krill each day and can make sounds louder than a jet engine. Toxins and fishing gear in the ocean are very dangerous for whales. Additionally, climate change has been decreasing the number of krill in the ocean, so there are less for the whales to feed on.

7. Borneo Pygmy Elephant

Imagine your favorite animal, and then imagine it pocket-sized. The pygmy elephant isn’t exactly pocket-sized, but they are still adorable. These “Dumbo-esque” elephants’ habitats are being taken away through deforestation in Asia. WWF were the first organization to start researching the pygmy elephant to see what can be done to protect them.

8. Giant Panda

Pandas are known to be very peaceful creatures. They do not have any natural predators in the wild, but human forest deconstruction has been taking away their most consumed food, bamboo. Pandas are needed because they end up spreading the seeds of various vegetation in the wild which promotes the growth of foliage in the forest.

9. Snow Leopard

As usual, hunting and habitat loss has been affecting the beautiful snow leopard species. They also used to be killed by goat herders in retaliation to killing their goat. Now wildlife organizations are working with those herders, so they understand not to kill the leopards unless it is necessary.