For some wild animals, their lifespan is running out. Humans are the biggest threat to the survival of endangered species through poaching, habitat destruction and the effects of climate change.
1. Jaguars
Since 1996, the jaguar has been classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, with less than 70 individuals believed to exist today. It is hunted and killed for its beautiful fur, its habitat is being destroyed for settlement and agriculture.
2. Gorilla
River gorillas and mountain gorillas have both been classified as critically endangered and endangered by the IUCN since 1996 - those are two of the five gorilla subspecies. Currently there are only 200-300 river gorillas left in the wild and 900 mountain gorillas.
3. Sea turtles
Two types of sea turtles are among the most endangered in the world: the Hawksbill Turtle and the Leatherback Turtle.
4. Orangutan
The Sumatran orangutan has been classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, with about 80% of its population loss over the past 75 years mainly due to mass deforestation. This huge trend continues to increase with the number remaining, about 6,600 Sumatran orangutans are estimated to remain on this earth.
5. Sumatran Elephant
Over the past 25 years, the Sumatran Elephant has lost 70% of its habitat to deforestation for palm oil plantations, agriculture and human settlements. Less than 2000 are estimated to exist, and in 2011 the Sumatran Elephant was classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
6. Saola
In 1992, this mystical creature was discovered in Vietnam, also known as the "Asian Unicorn", hailed as one of the most spectacular zoological discoveries of the 20th century. However, the species This beautiful and elusive animal is considered critically endangered by the IUCN and is one of the rarest large mammals to exist on Earth.
7. Dolphin Vaquita
If you've never seen these creatures before, that's understandable, as this extremely rare mammal is found only in the northern Gulf of California. And the number of this species has also plummeted by 90% in less than 6 years.
8. Tigers
The tiger has long been hunted for its distinctive patterned coat. Of the nine tiger subspecies, three are extinct, many of which are endangered of which the South China Tiger and the Sumatran Tiger currently face the greatest threat. Unfortunately, the South China Tiger is thought to be extinct in the wild as it has not been discovered since the 1970s. The Sumatran tiger is the only remaining tiger subspecies in Indonesia and as of 2008 it was recognized by the IUCN classified as critically endangered. Fewer than 500 of these tigers survive today, compared with an estimated number of 1,000 in 1978.
9. Rhinoceros
Three of the five species belong to the family Rhocerotidae, which are among the most endangered in the world: the black rhinoceros, the Javan rhinoceros, and the Sumatran rhinoceros. The Javan rhinoceros is the most threatened with extinction with a total population of only 60 surviving in a national park in Java, Indonesia. The Sumatran rhinoceros is also critically endangered. It is estimated that less than 100 exist in the wild today. The black rhinoceros is classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered with three subspecies declared extinct in 2011.
10. Pangolins
Despite their tough appearance, these warriors are losing the battle against poachers and habitat loss. All eight species of pangolin are threatened, ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered. They are the most trafficked animal in the world, hunted for their scales on the black market for up to $3,000/kg.
