8 of the Species Humans Are Endangering
The IUCN has accessed 93,577 species, concluding that over 26,000 are endangered. Of those assessed, 40 percent of amphibians, 25 percent of mammals, 14 percent of birds, and 33 percent of coral reefs are threatened with extinction. Below are just a few of the species being killed. (Source: iucnredlist.org)
Malayan Tapir // Endangered
Only 2,499 Malayan tapirs are left to roam the forests of Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand. Their long nose, called a proboscis, grabs roots and food underwater. Adult tapirs are black and white, but babies are born beige and speckled, similar to watermelons. The stripes and spots help the tapir blend into the forest floor’s dappled sunlight. Threats to the tapir include hunting and habitat destruction, as their homes are cleared to make space for palm oil plantations. (Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, iucnredlist.org)
Giant Panda // Vulnerable
Giant Pandas are one of the few animal conservation success stories. While they were originally classified as endangered, they have been bumped down to vulnerable after intervention. Their population is increasing even as only 1,000 mature pandas are left in the wild. They live in bamboo forests of China, with 99 percent of their diet dependent on the plant. Bamboo is such a poor source of energy and nutrients that pandas spend half their day eating. They depend so entirely on it that any threat to the plant by climate change and human industry is a risk to panda survival. (Source: National Geographic, Giant Pandas nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals)
White-Rumped Vulture // Critically endangered
The white-rumped vulture scavenges cattle across its native homeland of India, Afghanistan, and Cambodia. But its population severely declined in the 1990s due to widespread poisoning. A veterinary anti-inflammatory vaccine, diclofenac, was used to treat domestic livestock. As birds fed on cattle carcasses, they indirectly consumed the drug, which vultures are unable to process, leading renal failure and death. To save the dwindling population of 2,500-10,000 vultures, alternative, non-toxic veterinary drugs like meloxicam should be implemented. (Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, iucnredlist.org)
Indri Lemur // Critically endangered
The indri lemur is the largest lemur in the world and the only lemur with a short, stubbed tail. Yet, even without a tail, they spend most of their lives balancing on branches in Madagascar. IUCN has classified them critically endangered, and their population is decreasing due to deforestation. Indri lemurs mate for life and don’t reproduce annually, which has been a difficult challenge for conservation efforts. (Source: Primate Info Net, University of Wisconsin, pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets)
Vaquita // Critically endangered
Vaquitas are one of the most mysterious sea creatures. Extremely rare and shy, vaquitas have only been known to exist since 1958. Found off the coast of Baja California, there are only 18 of these porpoises left. Pesticides and runoff from the Colorado River threaten the species, but illegal fishing of another critically-endangered sea dweller, the totoaba, is the more pressing issue. Vaquitas get caught in the nets and drown, or get killed by propellers on boats. Since 2016, the world’s population of Vaquitas has dropped 40 percent.(Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, iucnredlist.org)
Humphead Wrasse // Endangered
This 400-pound, six-foot-long fish is named for the prominent bulge on its forehead. It’s native to the coral reefs in the Indo-pacific waters of Australia and Japan, and can live as old as 30 years. Overfishing for the live food trade and the decline of coral reef habitats has caused their population to continually decline for the past century. (Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, iucnredlist.org)
Mountain Gorilla // Endangered
The IUCN estimates that 50 percent of primates, our closest ancestors, are endangered. Mountain gorillas are no exception. There are only 600 left in the Congo forest, but their population is slowly increasing. Major threats to the mountain gorilla include habitat loss and poaching. Tourist attractions, like gorilla viewings, have increased the human disturbance issues and human-to-primate disease transmission. (Source: Center for Biological Diversity, The Extinction Crisis, biologicaldiversity.org)
Cuban Crocodile // Critically endangered
The Cuban crocodile is juggling a unique and multi-layered threat to its survival. The American crocodile has moved into the Cuban crocodile’s territory as the Cuban habitat became increasingly salty due to agriculture activities. As a result, the two croc species are mating, creating a hybrid that’s causing the Cuban lineage to die out. There are currently about 3,000 to 4,000 mature Cuban crocodiles left. (Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, Crocodile Specialist Group, iucnredlist.org)