10 Animals on the Brink of Extinction
9. Amur Leopard
This wild cat lives in the Far East of Russia and faces an extremely high risk of extinction.
It is mainly threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation and development. Poaching also kills them. A coalition of 13 conservation organizations has banded together to implement
public education campaigns, anti-poaching measures, and a raft of other actions to prevent
the leopards from being lost forever. They live about 10- 15 years in the wild.
Population: Approximately 135 or less in the wild.
Reproduction: Females birth about 1 litter per year of 1-6 cubs. Gestation is about 100 days.
Cubs live with the mother for 18-24 months.
What Can I Do?
Donate to ALTA Amur Leopard Conservation or contact them about possible eco tours if you can travel there. Image Credit: Colin Hines
10. Frogs, and Other Amphibians
Frogs are not one animal, but so many of them are under threat they fit the definition of endangered for this list. In 2009 a study reported that 200 million to one billion frogs are killed every year for frogs legs consumption. Australian researcher Corey Bradshaw, who is one the study’s authors said: “About half of all listed amphibians are threatened with extinction”. Amphibian Ark states 50% of amphibians could go extinct. “50%: of ~6,000 described amphibian species, are threatened with extinction. 32% known to be threatened + 23% data deficient but believed threatened”. The percentage quoted here from Conservational International is 40%.
The chytrid fungus is the main killer of frogs currently. It is thought it was introduced by the importation of African Clawed Frogs who carried the fungus out of Africa. The African frogs were used decades ago to determine if a woman was pregnant. The african frogs carry the fungus but are immune to it. Unfortunately they continue to be sold as pets. Some are released into the wild and spread the fungus to native frogs. They also eat almost anything that moves including native frogs. (Never release an African Clawed Frog into any body of water or any other place.) Recently it was reported on this site that scientists are working together to save frogs from the fungus.
Population: Numbers are not known. Populations are dwindling rapidly.
Reproduction: Unknown due to the fungus.
What Can I Do?
Consider getting a different type of pet than an African Clawed Frog. If you already have one, never release it into the wild. If you know someone who has one or more, tell them not to release them ever. If you are able, consider reducing your consumption of frogs legs, or not eating them ever. The frogs of the world could use a break. Donate to the Amphibian Conservation Alliance. Watch this documentary about frogs under siege and efforts being made by scientists to protect and restore them. See how to swab a frog for the deadly fungus.
This list of animals is only an introduction to a very large number around the world under threat of extinction. For a more comprehensive examination visit the Edge of Existence.
Thanks for including a “what can I do” section. This is really helpful. I’ll try to get involved where I can.
Wow, that Lynx is beautiful!
RT
http://www.anon-tools.cz.tc
Why do you people want to waste your time saving animals that will eventually go extinct no matter what you do? A greater waste of time and resources there is not, we currently have a huge financial crisis, among other things, and you fools are wasting your time with these animals? How can you justify this when PEOPLE are dying all over the world from malnutrition and insane wars?
@123456789: Although this comment is couched in a way that doesn’t do justice to the article or the commenter, at its core the comment actually offers a good point. Around the world, people think of themselves and their families before they think of biodiversity or the environment. That’s understandable and it’s a big reason why alleviating poverty is so important. One way for anyone who can spare a dime is microfinancing through sites like Kiva (http://www.kiva.org), which is also great since you get your money back too in the end.
That is true. Many of these animals are poached to sell on the black market by poor people who don’t understand why they can’t make a pile of money when they don’t have any. Poverty drives people to desperate actions. The thing is…eco tourism generates far more money than selling a rare dead animal corpse.
However, there are almost 7 billion humans on this planet…and humans are not rare at all. These animals are extremely rare.
I think if we all work together we can do great things for these extinct animals and people too!! Iam for programs that want to save these beautiful animals..it will be a sad world when one day if not helped as much as possible that these animals and others will only be a memory!!
wow! those were really great……..
but i just wanna say 123456789 that, hey friend, juz see, animals are very essential for our World juz like us…… we should care for them….. these pics were given to tell us that, “these are the animals which are going to be extinct….. so. friends, please save those animals before they get totally extinct from this world”
k
Every species on this planet performs a task, which even minimal is essential (keystone species). Its true that there are other major issues occurring in our world, but I find it quite ignorant to not see the extinction of species as a massive concern as 123456789 put it. People are the cause of famine, wars, and the recession; they’re also the cause of the current lose of biodiversity. I agree with everyone else and found the article to be inspiring. It was just that one comment that pist me off!
We need to do a better job on conservation at the global level. Conservation needs to be taught to all children in schools. Maybe there could be a new television station that is only concerned with endangered wildlife.