Endangered Species Endangered Species
Photo credit: Sebastian Bergmann/Creative Commons Photo credit: Sebastian Bergmann/Creative Commons Giant Panda Giant Panda
Their naturally limited niche in Asia's bamboo forests is becoming ever-smaller due to habitat loss and climate change. Scientists believe there are as many as 1,600 still alive in the wild, but their infamously low breeding rate both in the wild and in captivity means that the stressed species could be incapable of sustaining this population on its own. Their naturally limited niche in Asia's bamboo forests is becoming ever-smaller due to habitat loss and climate change. Scientists believe there are as many as 1,600 still alive in the wild, but their infamously low breeding rate both in the wild and in captivity means that the stressed species could be incapable of sustaining this population on its own. Giant Panda Giant Panda
Photo credit: law_keven/creative Commons Photo credit: law_keven/creative Commons Tiger Tiger
Populations of the largest of the Asian cats are at an all-time low. Conservationists estimate that, thanks to habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching, there are fewer than 3,200 of these cats left in the wild. This represents a 96.8% drop in the last 20 years. C Continued pressure on the species means the outlook is not good for the King of Asia's jungles. Populations of the largest of the Asian cats are at an all-time low. Conservationists estimate that, thanks to habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching, there are fewer than 3,200 of these cats left in the wild. This represents a 96.8% drop in the last 20 years. C Continued pressure on the species means the outlook is not good for the King of Asia's jungles. Tiger Tiger
Photo credit: irishwildcat/creative Commons Photo credit: irishwildcat/creative Commons Polar Bear Polar Bear
Until now, these animals have ruled as "Lords of the Arctic," but pollution and a rapidly warming climate have created a series of threats and invited new competition that threatens to not only remove them from the top of the food chain, but from the planet all together. Researchers estimate a total global population of 20,000 to 25,000 individuals. Until now, these animals have ruled as "Lords of the Arctic," but pollution and a rapidly warming climate have created a series of threats and invited new competition that threatens to not only remove them from the top of the food chain, but from the planet all together. Researchers estimate a total global population of 20,000 to 25,000 individuals. Polar Bear Polar Bear
Photo credit: poplinre/creative Commons Photo credit: irishwildcat/creative Commons Black Rhinoceros Black Rhinoceros
This animal whose horn is worth more than gold faces continued threats from poachers. Though conservation and law enforcement officers have managed to break some rings of poachers, the foreignbacked organizations use advanced technology including helicopters and night-vision equipment to evade these efforts. Recently, some opulations have rebounded slightly but the species will remain in danger until demand for its horn has been eliminated. This animal whose horn is worth more than gold faces continued threats from poachers. Though conservation and law enforcement officers have managed to break some rings of poachers, the foreignbacked organizations use advanced technology including helicopters and night-vision equipment to evade these efforts. Recently, some opulations have rebounded slightly but the species will remain in danger until demand for its horn has been eliminated. Black Rhinoceros Black Rhinoceros
Photo credit: Tim Sheerman-Chase/Creative Commons Photo credit: Tim Sheerman-Chase/Creative Commons Hawksbill Turtle Hawksbill Turtle
This animal s long life, slow growth, and low reproduction rates make it poorly suited to contend with new challenges like the encroachment of competing species and accidental and intentional killings by humans. The increasing degradation of coral reefs worldwide and incidental capture by fishermen further threaten the critically endangered species. This animal s long life, slow growth, and low reproduction rates make it poorly suited to contend with new challenges like the encroachment of competing species and accidental and intentional killings by humans. The increasing degradation of coral reefs worldwide and incidental capture by fishermen further threaten the critically endangered species. Hawksbill Turtle Hawksbill Turtle
Photo credit: brainware3000/creative Commons Photo credit: brainware3000/creative Commons Mountain Gorilla Mountain Gorilla
These African primates are threatened by poaching, habitat loss, civil unrest, disease, and growing bushmeat and charcoal trades. The list of challenges seems insurmountable yet, through dedicated and tireless conservation efforts, progress has been made. Though local populations still number in the low hundreds, recent surveys have found dramatic increase some by as much as 25 percent in less than 10 years. These African primates are threatened by poaching, habitat loss, civil unrest, disease, and growing bushmeat and charcoal trades. The list of challenges seems insurmountable yet, through dedicated and tireless conservation efforts, progress has been made. Though local populations still number in the low hundreds, recent surveys have found dramatic increase some by as much as 25 percent in less than 10 years. Mountain Gorilla Mountain Gorilla
Indus River Dolphin Indus River Dolphin
The mammal has been very adversely affected by human use of the river systems in the Asian sub-continent. Entanglement in fishing nets can cause significant damage to local population numbers. Irrigation has lowered water levels throughout their ranges. Poisoning of the water supply from industrial and agricultural chemicals may have also contributed to population decline. The mammal has been very adversely affected by human use of the river systems in the Asian sub-continent. Entanglement in fishing nets can cause significant damage to local population numbers. Irrigation has lowered water levels throughout their ranges. Poisoning of the water supply from industrial and agricultural chemicals may have also contributed to population decline. Indus River Dolphin Indus River Dolphin
Galapagos Penguin Galapagos Penguin
This species is endangered, with an estimated population size of around 1,500 individuals in 2004. The population underwent an alarming decline of over 70% in the 1980s, but is slowly recovering. Population levels are influenced by the effects of the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which reduces the availability of shoaling fish, leading to low reproduction or starvation. However, oil pollution, fishing by-catch and competition may be adding to the ongoing demise of this species. This species is endangered, with an estimated population size of around 1,500 individuals in 2004. The population underwent an alarming decline of over 70% in the 1980s, but is slowly recovering. Population levels are influenced by the effects of the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which reduces the availability of shoaling fish, leading to low reproduction or starvation. However, oil pollution, fishing by-catch and competition may be adding to the ongoing demise of this species. Galapagos Penguin Galapagos Penguin
African Bullfrog African Bullfrog
This amphibian has been affected by loss of suitable wetland habitat caused by property development encroaching on the natural habitat. Since they hibernate below ground for 11 months of the year, the window for reproduction is small and when this is combined with rapidly decreasing habit it causes a threat to sustainable population growth. This amphibian has been affected by loss of suitable wetland habitat caused by property development encroaching on the natural habitat. Since they hibernate below ground for 11 months of the year, the window for reproduction is small and when this is combined with rapidly decreasing habit it causes a threat to sustainable population growth. African Bullfrog African Bullfrog