10 animals you probably won't see in the next ten years
Animals are vanishing at double the typical rate, basically as a result of contracting habitat. Their greatest threat: Humans. Human beings are the greatest risk to the endurance or survival of the endangered species through poaching, habitat annihilation and the effects of climate change. We often celebrate days like ‘Earth Day’ & ‘Endangered Species Day’, but what is the point of these anointed days if we do not actually value what nature has to offer? It’s the animals that are hit the hardest by pollution and negative human activities.
Extinction is a worldwide crisis. While poaching frequently stands out and makes headlines thanks to the frightening images, habitat loss and environmental pollution are also deadly. Climate changes may also cause as many as 1 out of 6 animal and plant species to get wiped out. Since most of the endangered animals live in the wild and do not have much impact on our day to day lives, we often underestimate their importance. But what we must understand is, once they go extinct, that’s it, there is no coming back. Everything they do for the environment or teach us goes with them. Here is a list of 10 animals classified as ‘endangered’ and you probably won’t see them in the next decade.
1. Amur Leopard
A leopard subspecies, the Amur Leopard is native to the Primorye region of southeast Russia and northern China. They are the largest big cat species in the world. Known for their solitary nature, these cats are critically endangered due to illegal trade and are poached for their stunning fur.
2. Black Rhino
Indigenous to Eastern and Southern Africa, the Black Rhino is easily identified by its color and its horn. These herbivores are disappearing bit by bit as a result of poaching. Rhino horn fetches a high price in the market as it is said to have medicinal qualities, despite being entirely made of keratin (the same material as human nails).
3. Bornean Orangutan
Known for its broad face, short beard, and dark orange color, this species is dwindling in numbers. Illegal trade, deforestation and human interference is the major cause of this. The efforts to restore this intelligent species is underway.
4. Hawksbill Turtle
The Hawksbill Turtle is known for its slow growth and rare breeding. They are pursued and hunted for their one of a kind shells that are sold as 'tortoiseshell'. Loss of their natural habitat due to coastal development and pollution has pushed them to the brink of extinction.
5. Vaquita
The vaquita is the world's rarest marine mammal. Local to the Gulf of California, this porpoise is in danger of extinction since they get tangled in gill nets that are planted for fish, and suffocate. It is assessed that the vaquita will be wiped out before the end of the decade.
6. Cross River Gorilla
1. Scattered across Cameroon and Nigeria, this species is critically endangered due to hunting and being held in captivity. Female Gorillas are known to give birth only 3 to 4 times in a lifetime, such low reproduction rates make it difficult for the population to bounce back from extinction.
7. Javan Rhino
Javan Rhino is the most endangered rhino species of them all. They are now only found in Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia. They are endangered due to habitat loss, natural catastrophes, diseases, poaching.
8. Northern Bald Ibis
1. Once spread across Europe and the Middle East, over the last couple of decades the population of this bird has dropped significantly. Efforts for re-population of this species is being done through breeding in captivity.
9. Malayan Tiger
1. Native to the Malay Peninsula and the Southern Tip of Thailand, infrastructural development leading to habitat loss has lead to this big cat being added to the critically endangered list.
10. Yangtze Fin-less Porpoise
Known for its mischievous smile and intelligence that compares to that of a Gorilla, this animal is native to the Yangtze, the largest river in Asia. They are on the critically endangered list due to the over fishing of their food supply and pollution.
Every individual has a role to play in turning around the tide and guaranteeing that these animals have the chance to flourish for a considerable length of time to come.
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