As humans, we are responsible for most of the animal extinctions that have occurred in the last century. We are destroying their habitats, polluting their ecosystems, maintaining our high demands on the livestock industry and being hunted.
The sad truth is that if we do not change our lifestyle and consumption habits, many more animals will suffer the same fate in the coming years.
The fate of endangered animals depends on us.
The animals listed below are under considerable threat, but nothing is impossible. Many people work to protect them, but their work alone is not enough.
If we want to do something individually, we must first not support hunting activities, avoid purchasing products made from the bodies of animals (leather, fur, ivory, etc.), and reduce or completely abandon our excess demands on the livestock industry.
The most important factors causing the extinction of animals are listed as follows:
- The impact of the livestock industry on the climate crisis (For detailed information on the subject, you can check out the documentary “Cowspiracy” on Netflix.)
- Ocean and sea pollution due to fishing and plastic waste
- Hunting
- habitat destruction
- Air pollution
- soil pollution
Now let’s move on to the list of endangered animals that our descendants will likely never see:
1. Elephants
About 415,000 African elephants remain in the wild, and their numbers are declining rapidly. The main threat to elephants is hunting. The illegal ivory trade is having a devastating effect on elephant populations across Africa.
Elephants are losing their habitats as their habitats are occupied by livestock farms and cities created. As such, they are killed as a result of living in the same places with people and not being able to shelter with them.
2. Pandas
Panda is one of the most beloved animals on the planet. No matter how much we love them, we unknowingly bring them to an end. Only around 1,800 giant pandas remain in the wild.
Raising pandas in the wild or in captivity is quite difficult. Female giant pandas only lay eggs once a year, and if a male fails to fertilize the egg within a 40-hour period, the opportunity is gone until the next year.
3. Pangolins
Also known as scaly mammals, pangolins are one of the most illegally traded animals in the world. They are often hunted for their meat and flakes, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They are also threatened by habitat loss and deforestation.
4. Sea turtles
To the extinction of sea turtles; It is caused by a range of human activities, including fishing, the illegal trade of their shells, interrupted turtle farming caused by pollution and coastal development.
The damage caused by fishing to the ecosystem is much higher than we expected. Millions of sea creatures die each year by being caught in fishing nets, and biodiversity is decreasing day by day.
The positive impact of vegetarian and vegan nutrition, which is increasing day by day, on the climate crisis and the environment has been scientifically proven. Even if we cannot completely give up on carnivorous nutrition, we can take a step for our world by reducing it.
5. Rhinos
The main threat to the mass extinction of rhinos is poaching. Besides being killed for their horns used in traditional Chinese medicine, in some parts of the world, rhino horn is more valuable than gold. As a result of this illegal trade, only about 5,500 black rhinos are left in the wild.
6. Bees
Bees are one of the most important animals on the planet, but unfortunately they are also endangered. Especially in recent years, there has been a substantial decline in bee populations all over the world.
There are many reasons for this, but the most important are pesticides and other chemicals used in beekeeping. These substances can kill bees or make it harder for them to find food.
7. Polar bears
About 22,000 polar bears remain in the wild, and their numbers are dwindling. As the Earth’s temperature rises, the ice necessary for polar bears’ survival is melting. Thus, they lose their habitat and find it difficult to find food.
8. Tigers
Due to a range of threats, including habitat loss, hunting and conflict with humans; There are almost 4,500 tigers left in the wild. The good news is that conservation efforts are starting to pay off and tiger populations are slowly increasing.
However, this good news for tigers won’t last long unless climate change and habitat loss are halted (or at least significantly slowed).
9. Dolphins
Dolphins are one of the most beloved animals on the planet. Unfortunately, it is common for them to be kept in captivity in marine parks and zoos, which is quite unethical.
Fishing is the biggest cause of extinction. At best, the International Whaling Commission estimates that at least 300,000 marine mammals are killed annually by being caught in fishing nets. You can check out the documentary “Seaspiracy” on Netflix about the damage fishing does to the world.
10. Lions
The lion is one of the most iconic animals on the planet. For centuries it has been revered as a symbol of power, but only around 23,000 lions remain in the wild and their numbers are declining rapidly.
One of the main threats to lions is again habitat loss. People; As lions invaded their habitats for livestock farms and cities, lions lost much of their natural home. And also; they are killed by humans for their fur, meat and body parts.
11. Cheetahs
Only around 8,000 cheetahs remain in the wild. The main threat to cheetahs is habitat loss. As humans expanded into their territory, cheetahs lost the places they needed to live and hunt.
They are also threatened by poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. They are often killed for their fur, which is used to make clothes and other items.
12. Monkeys
Apes are one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom. The main threat to orangutans is habitat loss. People; Orangutans have lost much of their natural home as they destroy forests for palm oil.
Many monkeys are also killed, hunted for food, or caught and sold in the illegal pet trade for hunting, which is often murder in the name of “sport”.
13. Whales
Whales are one of the largest animals on the planet. They are also very intelligent. Unfortunately, they too are often hunted for their meat and oil. Just like in dolphins; They are also threatened by pollution, entanglement in fishing nets and a reduction in the fish ecosystems they feed on.
14. Lemurs
Lemurs are one of the most endangered animals on the planet. There are more than 100 species of lemurs and almost all are threatened with extinction. The main threat to lemurs is habitat loss. Additionally, they are threatened by poaching and the illegal pet trade.
15. Amur leopard
Amur leopards are one of the rarest big cats in the world, with only around 100 individuals left in the wild. They are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting shortages.
However, there is hope for these big cats. About 75% of their habitats are in protected areas in Russia and China, and they move to suitable habitats outside these protected areas.
Change is in our hands.
We can add many more animals to the list that we are limited to 15 items for now. The world we are destroying and unless we try to change our mindset that we think only of our own kind, our planet will unfortunately get worse day by day for every living thing, including ourselves. It is entirely in our hands to change this destructive course.
Sources: WWF, The Roundup, Discover Magazine
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