Ten tragic animal species facing extinction this year - from rhinos to gorillas
Our earth is a home to a vast and impressive array of life forms and each of them play a pivotal role in maintaining our ecological balance - which is why their existence is important.
Today, there are roughly 8.7 million species of plants and animals around, but only around 1.2 million of those have been identified, meaning millions of living organisms remain a complete mystery to us.
But there are several species at the brink of extinction due to both human-induced and natural factors. According to National Geographic, extinction refers to the complete disappearance of a species from Earth, and while species go extinct every year, the rate has historically been very slow.
We've only seen exceptions during significant events, such as asteroid strikes and volcanic eruptions, which have been reported to cause widespread extinctions over relatively short periods of time. One of the five largest mass extinction events is thought to have killed off dinosaurs for good.
But human influence has a grinding-down effect. Here is a list of the top the ten most endangered species of 2024 that may suffer the same fate as those already consigned to history.
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1. Javan Rhino
There are less than 70 Javan Rhinos in the world (Getty Images/iStockphoto)With just less than 70 of these rhinos left on earth, the Javan Rhino is one of the most endangered animals left in the wild. They're usually found in Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia, and their survival is being threatened by the destruction of their habitat, as well as the potential for disease.
2. Vaquita
Vaquita is a type of rare fish with an estimated population of less than 10. Their risk of extinction comes down to humans, as they are often caught and drowned in illegal gillnets meant for another endangered fish known as the Totoaba, whose swim bladder is worth a lot on the black market.
3. Sumatran Orangutan
Another animal whose existence is being threatened by humans is the Sumatran Orangutan. The population of these apes are under severe threat due to illegal logging, palm oil plantations, and human encroachment.
Currently, there are only around 14,000 individuals left and their habitat in the Sumatran rainforests is rapidly diminishing.
4. Hawksbill Turtle
Hawksbill Turles are known to help maintain the health of our coral reefs (Getty Images)Hawksbill Turtles play an important role in our marine ecosystems. They're known to help maintain the health of our coral reefs, and remove prey such as sponges from the reef's surface, allowing for better access for reef fish to feed.
But these turtles are at risk of disappearing completely due to the illegal trading of their shells, which are often used to make jewellery and ornaments. Hawksbill Turtles are also at risk due to a loss of nesting and feeding habitats.
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5. Western Lowland Gorilla
These gorillas, typically found in central Africa in Angola, are at risk due to poaching, disease (particularly Ebola), and habitat loss. The population of Western Lowland Gorillas has fallen rapidly, and while conservation efforts are in place, the road to recovery seems a long one.
6. Amur Leopard
With only less than 100 Amur Leopards left, the species are critically endangered. This is mostly due to human-induced factors, because they are hunted for their beautiful fur, and their habitat is being lost to logging, road building, civilians infiltrating the area.
7. Sumatran Elephant
Illegal logging, palm oil plantations, and human-wildlife conflict means the Sumatran Elephants are critically endangered, with a population decreased estimated at 80% over the last three quarters of a century.
Javan Rhinos can be found in Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia (Getty Images/iStockphoto)8. Saola
Known as the ‘Asian Unicorn’, the Saola, also called spindlehorn, is one of the world’s rarest mammals. Their exact population is unknown, but there are believed to be only a few dozen of them left, meaning conservation efforts are extremely challenging.
9. Malayan Tiger
The existence of the Malayan Tiger is at threat from human-induced factors, such as poaching for their skin, bones, and other body parts, which are used in traditional medicine. A lack of prey, as well as habitat loss also put them at risk.
10. South China Tiger
The South China Tiger is considered to be functionally extinct in the wild, with just a handful in captivity. This is mostly due to the destruction of natural habitats in the region, as well as illegal poaching. Restoration projects for the species are underway, but the road to recovery looks uncertain.
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