Between the endangered animals Critical we can find from mammals such as the spider monkey or the Asian cheetah, to reptiles like the crested iguana or the hawksbill turtle, passing through birds like the New Caledonia egotelo or Sumatra land cuckoo.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world's top authority on the conservation of fauna and flora.
In 1963, thanks to their efforts, the red list of threatened species was created, developing a classification of species: from the most threatened to those that are out of danger.
According to the classification it is established that:
- Are extinct extinct animals Totally (EX) or those that no longer live wildly (EW) and live only in zoos
- Endangered (CR), endangered (EN) and vulnerable (VU) animals are threatened
- Are of minor concern all other animals.
When a species is in critical danger of extinction (CR), it means that its population has decreased drastically and only has a few hundred copies. When a species is in danger of extinction (EN), it is because its numbers have decreased due to direct predation.
List of 50 names of critically endangered or endangered animals
1- Albatrosses
Approximately 100,000 albatrosses are estimated to die annually due to fishing vessel networks and pollution of the seas.
There are two species of albatross that are in danger of extinction: the"Albatros Amsterdam"and the"Albatross of the Catham Islands". The Amsterdam Albatross inhabits the South Indian Ocean, while the other inhabits the Catham Islands.
According to scientists, there are only about 130 albatrosses in Amsterdam around the world. On the other hand, there are about 11,000 Cathar albatrosses. The latter is considered a vulnerable species.
2- Colobo red monkey
The colobus red monkey is one of the oldest monkey species in the world. Its scientific name is Piliocolobus badius And inhabits from Senegal to Ghana in Africa. Its decrease is due to hunting for obtaining its skin.
His relative, the red colobus of Zanzibar, is also in danger of extinction. This animal is prey to chimpanzees and sometimes transmits its diseases, which causes epidemics.
In 1994, the colobo infected chimpanzees with Ebola. Three subspecies of the red colobus are recognized and one of these is considered extinct. It is considered that there are only between 1,500 and 3,000 copies of Zanzibar colobus and most of them live in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park.
3- Spider Monkey
Spider monkeys live from southern Brazil to Mexico. There are several species of spider monkeys, but the"black head"spider monkey, the"marimonda del magdalena"or the"choibo"are those in critical danger of extinction. These monkeys are distinguished by their long limbs and their agility.
Changes in their natural habitat are the cause of their decline. They belong to the Primates Cébidos family.
In Colombia the magdalena marimonda is raised in captivity at the Ocarros zoo in Villavicencio, the Cali Zoo and the Santa Cruz Zoo in San José del Tequendama.
In turn, the black-headed spider monkey has decreased its population by 80% in the last 50 years.
4- Prairie Dog
The prairie dogs are very social and they excavate a great system of burrows that conform complete cities under the earth where these animals inhabit.
There are several species of dog, but in danger of extinction are only those who live in North America: Mexican prairie dog and Utah prairie dog.
Although these animals are herbivores, they can also eat insects. It is considered that there are only about 3,300 puppies from Utah, while the population of Mexican puppies is unknown. Weasels, red lynx, coyotes, eagles, hawks and badgers are their main predators.
5- Snow Leopard
Snow leopards or irbis are felines that inhabit Central Asia in mountainous regions. They are solitary animals, except during the season of heat. They also hunt alone and their favorite prey are ibex, musk deer or wild goats.
It can inhabit at altitudes of more than 6,000 meters. Its population decreases because its skin is used to make coats. They reach adulthood at two years and may have 5 offspring. It is interesting to note that this is the only species of its genus that does not roar.
6- Amur Tiger
The Amur tiger inhabits the evergreen forests and mixed forests of Russia's southeastern end, in the Amur River region and the Russia-China border. Until 2009, thanks to genetic studies in mitochondrial DNA, it was discovered that its DNA differs very little from the Caspian tiger, which is considered extinct.
For this reason, many scientists claim that it is the same species. If it is the same, then the extent of its habitat would be from the Caspian to the southeast of Russia. Thanks to the Siberian Tiger Project in the Sijote Alin reserve, started in 1992, the tiger population has been able to increase.
Within the Russian Amur region, the Tigers concentrate on the Krai of Primorie and Khabarovsk. They compete with other predators for their prey such as bears, lynx, leopards and wolves.
7- Morelet Frog
The Morelet frog formerly inhabited Mexico, Honduras, and central El Salvador. According to the latest scientific expeditions, this anuran amphibian has disappeared from most of these places. It is considered that there are no more than 1,500 copies left.
In Guatemala and Honduras, due to the destruction of its habitat, it has almost completely disappeared. Chytridiomycosis, a disease that is due to a fungus, is considered its main threat.
8- Sumatra Cuckoo
Sumatra's land cuckoo is in critical danger of extinction. This cuculiform bird was rediscovered and photographed by Andjar Rafiastanto in 1997 in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. Prior to this finding, it was considered extinct and only eight dissected specimens were exposed in museums.
It is estimated that its population does not amount to more than 250 specimens. In 2007 his song was recorded and this recording will be used to catch more copies in the future. This endemic Indonesian animal can reach 55 centimeters.
9- Bulmer Fruit Bat
Image track: Huffington Post Canada
The first fossils of the Bulmer Fruit Bat were found in the 1970s on a mountain in New Guinea. After being examined, the species was declared extinct in the Ice Age until a colony was discovered in 1992.
These animals live in caves and their population is drastically reduced despite the measures taken for their conservation. It is considered that hunting and human activity are the main causes of the decline of its population.
10- The Bactrian camel
The Bactrian or Asian camel is considered an endangered species. It inhabits freely in desert areas of Mongolia and the Chinese region of Xinjiang, where they constantly migrate in small groups of 6 and 30 individuals.
They are robust and their legs are shorter than that of the Arabian camels. It consists of two gibas and its coat is varied. It survives in extreme climatic conditions and possesses great strength and physical resistance that allows it to travel 45-50 kilometers a day.
11- Red Wolf
The red wolf Canis rufus ) Lives in the United States, Mexico and, perhaps, Canada. This wolf subspecies is hybrid between the wolf and the coyote ( Canis latrans ).
Thanks to programs of breeding in captivity its population has been maintained. According to the latest genetic analyzes and fossil findings, this species has been shown to be autochthonous, since it was long believed that this was not the case and its taxonomy was highly disputed.
12- Monk Seal of the Mediterranean
The monk seal of the Mediterranean is a very rare mammalian pinniped. It used to live all over the Mediterranean and the North African Atlantic. It was quoted in historical sources for the first time by Homer in The odyssey .
Its oldest fossils date from Magdalenian and Epipaleolithic. The caveman not only ate these seals, but used their skin and fat.
In the 50's the last specimens that inhabited Mallorca and the Canaries were hunted. In 1958 Lluís Gasull of the Societat D'Historia Natural measured the corpse of the last seal of the Balearic Islands. It measured 2,52 meters.
13- Apache trout
Apache trout is a freshwater salmon that lives in the Salt and Colorado river basins, both in Arizona. These salmon live in rivers of clean and cold waters, in high mountains above 2500 meters, also live in mountain lakes.
Its population has decreased by 95% because it competes for its habitat with brook trout and common trout. There are hybrid species of Apache trout and rainbow trout. Apache trout is popular in sport fishing, which also contributes to its disappearance.
14- Parrot turtle
The parrot turtle lives in the Atlantic Ocean and are in danger of extinction. During the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico a few years ago, this species suffered greatly and its habitat was affected.
Their eating habits and cycles are well documented. Their breeding season is from April to August. Females spawn on the beach preferring areas with dunes or marshes. The number of females nesting decreases every year. In different beaches societies of ecologists take account of it.
15- Giant Lizard of La Palma
The giant lizard of La Palma is endemic to the island and feeds on xerophytic plants and eggs from coastal birds. This species had been declared extinct until its rediscovery in 2007. Although later expeditions could not find more copies.
Its decline began when humans came to the islands 2000 years ago. The introduction of cats and agriculture were their main threats. It was originally described as a subspecies of the giant Iron Lizard, but later on and when it was studied, the differences between the two species were discovered.
16- Mekong Catfish
The Mekong Catfish ( Pangasianodon gigas ) Endemic to Southeast Asia is considered one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. It is gray with stripes and has almost no teeth or barbs.
The Mekong Wetlands Sustainable Use and Biodiversity Program declared them one of the most important species to be protected. The causes of extinction are overfishing, dams and pollution.
The population has declined by 80% in recent years. In the book The kitchen of anthropologists (1977) indicates that this fish was venerated by the inhabitants of Laos and also was important part of its diet. Their fishing is currently illegal in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Although Thailand allows its hunting under conditions.
17- Salmo carpio
The psalm carpio inhabits Italy on Lake Garda, in the north of the country. Its taxonomy is still discussed. Some argue that the species belongs to the genus Salmothymus In place of Psalm, although it may also be a hybridization.
The psalm carpio lives mostly on the bottom of the lake and feeds on benthic invertebrates, such as plankton and necton.
Unlike other salmon, carpio does not migrate. Their extinction is due to the destruction of their natural habitat, overfishing and pollution.
18- Saiga
The saiga ( Saiga tatarica ) Inhabits Central Asia in the steppes, from Russia to China through Mongolia; The largest population is recorded in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The saigas coexist in semi-desert steppes, feeding on plants, including some that are poisonous to other animals. They know how to swim and they are very resistant that is why they travel many kilometers a day, besides they like open, cold and dry spaces.
Thanks to the fossils found, it has been determined that its population extended from Chinas to the Iberian peninsula. In European territories it was extinguished in Century XVIII due to the indiscriminate hunting to obtain its horns and skins. In 2015, 120,000 individuals died in Kazakhstan, a third of the total population, for unknown reasons.
19- Gang Shark
The Ganges shark is a rare species of freshwater shark that according to some threatens humans. Ganges shark is considered"very dangerous", although there have never been any cases of attacks on people.
The Ganges shark specializes in catching small fish. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the Ganges shark is one of the 20 species of sharks on the"red list"in danger of extinction.
20- Ricord Iguana
The iguana of Ricord is endemic to Hispaniola. At present in the south of the Dominican Republic the only specimens of this species are conserved. The Ricord iguana is a large species and its fingers are effective for digging and climbing trees.
Its body is greyish green with six chevrons of pale gray color, alternating with dark gray to black. Their burrows are under dense thorny vegetation, trunks, shrubs or rocks.
In 2008 a small population was discovered in Anse-a-Pitres, Haiti, believed until then that this animal was preserved only in the Dominican Republic. The iguana of Ricord coexists with the rhinoceros iguana, which is abundant in the area.
21- Philippine Crocodile
The Philippine or Mindoro crocodile inhabits in rivers and marshy areas of Mindanao and some of the Bisayas. It is similar to the New Guinea crocodile and because of this, long time they were considered the same species.
It can reach 18 centimeters in height and a length of up to 254 centimeters for males, females are slightly smaller. Its muzzle is wide compared to that of other crocodiles.
It is believed that there are only 500-1000 who live out of captivity. There are governmental programs for the breeding of the animal in captivity and it is considered that the next 10 years will be keys to determine its survival.
22- Mardi Gras Emerald
The emeraldite Montblanc emblazon of Munchique inhabits the Andes of Colombia to 2,200 - 2,800 meters of altitude. This blue hummingbird can be up to 8 centimeters in length.
The male is iridescent dark green and its forehead is emerald green. The female's coat is less striking. It is considered that its extinction is related to the decrease of cultivation of fruit of lulo or naranjilla, that was affected by plagues.
23- Balearic Sparrow
The Balearic shear or Baldritja was considered a subspecies of the pardela pichoneta or the Mediterranean pardela, but today they have been discovered that it is not so. Its population has declined rapidly due to the alterations of its habitat, especially the breeding area.
It is a gregarious species and usually fly near the surface water because it feeds on fish and squid. He does not approach ships. The urbanization for tourism in the Balearics and the introduction of animals, which compete with them for food or eat their young, are their main threats.
It is considered that the Balearic shearwater could have produced a hybrid species with the Mediterranean pardela which could be a problem for its conservation.
24- Chinese Alligator
The Chinese alligator is timid and docile. Belongs to the family Alligatoridae . It feeds on frogs and fish that hunt underwater but can kill chickens, dogs and other animals that it considers a threat but do not eat them. He also eats rats because his poison does not affect them.
There has never been an attack on humans. Chinese alligators are being extinguished because of human activity, mainly to fish species that are a major part of their diet. There are about 300 specimens in the wild and some in the state of captivity.
25- Swinhoe Tortoise
The Swinhoe tortoise is a species of Asian tortoise Trionychidae . It is in serious danger of extinction since there are only three exemplary elders in China; A fourth specimen was found in Hanoi, but nevertheless died in 2016. In Vietnam it is a mythical animal that has not been seen for years.
Scientists thought it was already extinct because of hunting and loss of habitat, but locals periodically claim to have seen them, although this has not been proven.
26- Egoleto of New Caledonia
The New Caledonia ( Aegotheles savesi ) Was scientifically described by English ornithologists Edgar Leopold Layard and his son Edgar Leopold Calthrop Layard in 1881.
This bird is nocturnal and has a camouflage facility. The English ornithologists discovered the bird thanks to which a specimen came flying to the dormitory where they stayed in Tonghoué. At that time the species was already scarce.
Few fossils are known, as well as cases of sightings. The most recent were made in 1998, when a large specimen was seen in Rivière Ni Valley. Due to the difficulty of finding them, animals are considered to live in small groups.
27- Hummingbird of the sun
The hummingbird of the endemic sun of the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia was discovered in the Paramo of Frontino, but for years there have been no sightings of it.
Alexander Wetmore described it in 1953. In 2004 Niels Krabbe and other biologists rediscovered it in Frontino and the Farallones del Citará. The taxonomy of this hummingbird is still discussed.
28- Vaquita
The vaquita is one of the six species of porpoise. Its known population was 97 copies in 2015, by 2016 had lost 40% of its population.
This animal inhabits the Gulf of California, where insufficient conservation measures have been taken to increase the population. The marine vaquitas live in shallow, shallow lakes. They swim at shallow depths and their backs protrude on the surface of the water.
His sightings have been recorded at 11-50 meters deep and 11- 25 kilometers off the coast. They prefer cloudy waters because of their high content of nutrients, which help them attract small fish, squid and crustaceans.
29- European eel
The European eel inhabits the northern Atlantic Ocean and the seas that bathe Europe. In spite of the drastic decrease of its population, the European eel has great commercial importance. In fact they are grown in fish farms very successfully. This allows copies to be released periodically.
One of the threats facing the European eel is its possible spread of a parasite that affects the Japanese eel. Unlike the Japanese, the European eel has not developed tolerance to this parasite that easily causes death, reduces its fecundity or damages its swimming bladder.
30- Chinese Pangolin
Chinese pangolin live in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, Taiwan and southern China, including Hainan Island.
It has small brown scales and is medium in size. They have 5 fingers. They are nocturnal, excellent climbers of trees and swimmers. They feed on termites and ants. They are rolled into ball as a defense mechanism.
31- Petrel of the Galapagos
The Galapagos petrel is large and has long wings. One of its greatest threats are introduced mammals, which predated and altered their nesting colonies. Also the presence of the black rat ( Rattus rattus ), Which eats eggs and kills their offspring, is one of the causes of population decline.
Measures have been taken to restrict the presence of other animals in their nesting habitat.
Its reproduction period is about eight months. A study in 2002 showed that the most active period of reproduction is March, late October and the first two weeks of August.
32- Fijian Crested Iguana
The Fijian crested iguana is threatened due to the loss of habitat, which has been transformed by agricultural activity, storms, fires and invasive alien plants.
Wild cats ( Felis catus ) Are one of its main predators. Competition with wild goats for food and territory also affects them.
Since the wild goats were introduced in 1972, the vegetation of the island was greatly reduced by grazing and fires. The iguana population increased after the government implemented the elimination of all the goats on the island.
33- Hawksbill Turtle
The hawksbill turtle is the only one of the genus Retmochelys . It has two subspecies: Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata Which lives in the Atlantic Ocean and Eretmochelys imbricata bissa Which inhabits the Indo-Pacific region.
Its appearance is similar to that of sea turtles. It is distinguished by its pointed and curved beak and by the sierra edges of its shell. He spends much of his life on the open sea, but his sightings occur in shallow lagoons and coral reefs.
Due to overfishing, the worldwide population of this species are in great danger. In China and Japan it is considered a delicious delicacy. Shells are used for crafts. All these commercial uses mean that many countries do not adopt protection policies.
34- Large spot civet
Malabar's large spotted civet is a common carnivorous mammal on the coast of Kerala and Karnataka in southern India. Since the beginning of the 20th century, its population has declined due to its use in the production of civet musk.
In 1990, southern Malabar was considered to have isolated populations and in 1999 it was believed that at least 250 mature individuals lived in their natural habitat.
Their main threat is the fragmentation of the population that does not allow them to mate and increase the number of specimens. They are captured by dogs, especially when they try to steal poultry.
35- Asian cheetah
The endemic Asian cheetah from Iran is a rare subspecies of cheetah. This atypical cat hunts in a group and uses its speed for it. It lives in a very fragmented way, which made possible its extinction in India, where it was known as Indian cheetah. Living away from one another makes reproduction impossible.
It is the fastest animal of all terrestrial and reaches up to 112 km / h. It also stands out for its acceleration capability, which equals that of many vehicles. It is estimated that there are no more than 100 specimens left and they all live in Iran.
36- South African riverside rabbit
The South African rabbit or rabbit of the Bushmen is the only member of the genus Bunolagus . This lagomorphic mammal is rare and has been poorly studied. It lives in South Africa, in the center and south of the Karoo desert.
It can measure up to 50 centimeters in length being males larger than females. They are characterized by having a"mustache"or black stripe over their mouth. His coat is soft and gray. Males are monogamous.
Newborns are born blind and hairless. They are cared for by their mother until they can fend for themselves. Black eagles are one of their common predators. Rabbits feed at night for fear of their predators.
37- Mountain gorilla
The mountain gorilla is a subspecies of eastern gorilla that lives in the mountains Virunga, in Central Africa. Its population is distributed in three national parks: the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park. Also a part of its population lives in the forest of Bwindi.
Thanks to the movie Gorillas in the Mist And to Dian Fossey the species is well known. There are 900 individuals. According to a census in 2003, the population is increasing. The main threats to the species are illegal hunting, loss of habitat and the spread of human diseases.
38- Arabian Leopard
There are only approximately 250 Arabian leopards that are distributed in two subpopulations: the Arabian Peninsula (Yemen and Oman) and the Negev desert in Israel. In Negev only 20 specimens are recorded and considered almost extinct.
Due to crosses with other leopards, hybrids have been produced and the future appearance of congenital diseases and infertility of females is feared. This species is considered the smallest of leopards in the world: males do not exceed 30 kilos and females do 20.
They feed on Nubian ibises, hares, dams and other small mammals. These animals have also reduced their numbers.
They are solitary except the breeding season. In Yemén there is a captive breeding program and thus the population is expected to increase. Their main threat is hunting, since it is considered a trophy in these countries.
39- Borneo Orangutan
The Borneo Orangutan is endemic to Indonesia and its main threats are logging, illegal traffic in its skin or bones and fires. They are increasingly threatened by the trade of their meat and, lately, even sold as pets.
In these cases, the mothers are killed and their young are captured, which will be trained and sold as pets. This animal that inhabited 10,000 years ago in these territories, saw its population decreased by 14% only in the last years of the 20th century.
40- Dwarf Boar
The dwarf boar lives in Bhutan, northern India and southern Nepal. It is an artiodactyl mammal that possibly belongs to the family Suidae, although its taxonomy is still discussed.
It is small, about the size of a rabbit. According to scientific research, thanks to its characteristics could create a new gender or family to classify it.
41- Common sturgeon
The common sturgeon or marion is the most representative species of the genus Acipenser . This species is anadromous: it lives in the sea but breeds in fresh water. It lives in depths of 5 to 60 meters and feeds on invertebrates: crustaceans, worms and mollusks.
After reaching its youth, it migrates towards the mouths of the rivers and stays in the estuaries for a year or more. They are threatened by nets, which catch them accidentally, regulating the channels and decreasing flows through dams, pollution and the extraction of river materials.
42- Celacanto of Comoros
The coelacanth of Comoros lives west of the Indian Ocean, on the coasts of Comoros and South Africa. It was believed to be extinct, until in 1938 a new specimen was captured.
Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, director of the Museum of East London (South Africa), received the news in 1938 that they had caught an unknown blue fish. The specimen was taken to a museum and studied, although its conservation was difficult.
James Leonard Brierley Smith, an ichthyologist at Rhodes University, studied the specimen, described it scientifically, and gave it his name. In 1952, after years of search a second specimen was found.
43- Yangtze spatula
Yangtze spatula fish live in the waters of China's Yangtze River. It is in serious danger of extinction due to hunting, pollution and prey. There have been no sightings of the species in about 10 years, but it has not yet been declared extinct. Scientists believe that the population is too low to guarantee the survival of the species.
44- Samarugo
The samarugo or samaruc lives on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, along with the fartet ( Aphanius iberus ) And the salient ( Aphanius baeticus ). This species and others of their genus are known colloquially as 'killies' and inhabit tropical and subtropical regions worldwide except Oceania and Northeast Asia.
Its main threat has been the introduction of gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki), fish that threatens to remove the samarugo from its habitat.
45- Turtle striped box
The striped box turtle lives in southern China. It has been determined that other turtle populations living in Laos and Vietnam are representatives of other species.
The situation of these turtles is serious. Their disappearance would not only affect the ecosystem but the economy, since they are very consumed by the Chinese. There are even striped turtle farms for consumption. This business is very lucrative.
It was determined that this turtle has been mixed with hybrids and other species which could cause congenital problems.
46- Enchanted Lizard
The scattered lizard of the Motagua Valley is poisonous and is the only allopatric subspecies, an endemic species of dry Guatemala. This subspecies is very rare and is in a critical state of conservation.
It is considered that there are less than 200 specimens that live in their natural habitat. These lizards have mated with the lizards scrounged creating hybrids that could contract congenital diseases. This is one of the most threatened species of lizards in the world.
47- Pameria dolei
The Palmeria dolei is a Hawaiian bird, unique representative of the genus Palmeria . He lives on the island of Maui, in the Hawaiian tropical forests. It is estimated that there are about 3800 specimens in their natural habitat.
These animals live near a volcano. They can measure between 17 and 18 cm. Adults are bright black with white lines on the sides. Their feathers are orange in the wings, reddish behind the eyes and golden in the crests of their heads. Young people produce sounds and songs to attract females.
48- Kakapo
The kakapo or night parrot is endemic to New Zealand and is famous because it is the only parrot that does not fly because it is very heavy. It is one of the longest-lived birds in the world. Sole representative of the genre Strigops And the subfamily Strigopinae .
It survived the introduction of birds and other invasive species and deforestation, but there are only 131 known and classified live species.
Scientists believe that these birds lost the ability to fly because they did not face any terrestrial predator. Its greatest predator was the giant day eagle.
Due to the introduced fauna (cats, rats, ermine) almost all kakapos died. In 1890 the first conservation efforts were carried out, which were unsuccessful. In 1980 the Kakapo Recovery Plan was implemented. Living specimens inhabit two free predator islands: on Chalky Island and on Codfish Island, where ecologists and scientists monitor them.
49- Yelmo's horn
The helmet horn is an endemic bird of the peninsula of Malacca and the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. It is the official bird of Western Borneo. There are no subspecies of it.
It feeds on fruit, especially figs. It also consumes insects or similar prey. It is sedentary, unlike other calaos, and groups to defend itself.
Males wear helmets when attacking their enemies during territorial fights. The Punan Bah people of Malaysia believe that the horn is the guardian of the river between life and death. Several indigenous peoples use their feathers as ornaments.
50- Human being
The human being! Someone will wonder if we are in danger. I think so, since climate change and the disappearance of species breaks the balance of nature and affects us. That is why in protecting these animals, we protect ourselves.