10 Most Endangered Animals in the World

Endangered animals consist of those whose existence has been threatened by changing environmental patterns or predation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has calculated the percentage of endangered species as 40 percent of all organisms. Many nations have laws offering protection for example, forbidding hunting, restricting land development, creating preserves and fining pollution. Only a few of the many species facing extinction actually make the list and receive legal protection while others become extinct even without public notice. So it will be our task to protect them by creating awareness, donating to such funds and stop polluting the environment. The World Wide Fund for Nature has declared the following as the 10 most endangered animals in the world. However even this list made up of a category which they call Flagship Species which are iconic animals that provide a focus for raising awareness and stimulating action and funding for broader conservation efforts. 

1. Bengal Tiger

Studies indicate that there may be as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild. Tigers occupy less than 7% of their original range, which has decreased by 40% over the past 10 years. Tigers are poached for their body parts, which are used in traditional Asian medicine, while skins are highly prized.

2. Polar Bear

The Arctic’s polar bears have become the symbol of early victims of climate-induced habitat loss. Designated a threatened species for protection by the Endangered Species Act in the US, many polar bear populations will be vulnerable to extinction within the next century if warming trends in the Arctic continue at the current pace.

3. Pacific Walrus

This is one of the latest victims of climate change. In September of 2009, up to 200 dead walruses were spotted on the shore of the Chukchi Sea on Alaska's northwest coast.

4. Magellanic Penguin

Once threatened primarily by oil spills, Magellanic Penguins now face a larger threat as fish are displaced by warming ocean currents, forcing them to swim farther to find food. 12 out of the 17 penguin species are currently experiencing rapid population decline.

5. Leatherback Turtle

The largest marine turtle and one of the largest living reptiles has survived for more than a hundred million years, but is now facing extinction. Recent estimates show that this species is declining, particularly in the Pacific where as few as 2,300 adult females now remain.

6. Bluefin Tuna

This is a large migratory fish found in the western and eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. It is the source of highest grade sushi. A temporary ban on the global trade of bluefin tuna would allow the overexploited species to recover.

7. Mountain Gorilla

Scientists consider mountain gorillas to be a critically endangered gorilla subspecies, with about 720 surviving in the wild. Despite the success of the efforts of conservation and protection, the status of mountain gorilla remains fragile.

8. Monarch Butterfly

Every year the monarch butterflies migrate from North America to their winter habitat in Mexico. A well conserved and protected high-altitude pine and fir forest in Mexico is essential for the survival of the monarchs, which has been recognized as an endangered biological phenomenon.

9. Javan Rhinoceros

 Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List (2009), the Javan rhino is considered to be one of the most endangered large mammals in the world with only two populations existing in the wild, for a total number of less than 60 animals.

10. Giant Panda

An international symbol of conservation since WWF’s founding in 1961, the giant panda which numbers around 1,600 in the wild, faces an uncertain future.