Tuesday 16 October 2012

Top 10 Endangered Animals


Sumatran Orangutan

The Sumatran orangutan is the most endangered of the two orangutan species. Found only in the northern and western provinces of Sumatra, Indonesia, the species is fast losing its natural habitat to agriculture and human settlements. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012.
















Mountain Gorilla

The mountain gorilla became known to science on 17 October 1902, and is a subspecies of eastern gorilla. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012.










Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Tuna is perhaps the most high profile victim of unregulated and uncontrolled overfishing. Bluefin tuna populations have declined alarmingly over the past few decades. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012.

Leatherback turtle

The leatherback turtle has survived for more than a hundred million years, but is now facing extinction. Recent estimates of numbers show that this species is declining precipitously throughout its range. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012. 


Tiger

Less than 3,200 remain in the wild, we have lost 97% of our wild tigers in just over a century. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012.




















Snow Leopard

There are up to 6,000 snow leopards in the wild across 12 countries, but its numbers are gradually declining, with hunting and habitat loss just some of the reasons that it is endangered. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012. 










Vaquita

The vaquita is a very small porpoise that lives solely in the Gulf of California, Mexico. The species is critically endangered primarily as a result of entanglement in fishing nets. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012.











Irrawaddy Dolphin
Some populations are close to extinction such as those in the Mekong River and Malampaya Sound in the Philippines. The main threats are from fisheries bycatch and habitat loss. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012.









Javan Rhino

The Javan rhino is probably the rarest large mammal on the planet, with no more than 50 left in the wild and none in captivity. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012
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Asian Elephant
Sacred but exploited, the Asian elephant has been worshipped for centuries and is still used today for ceremonial and religious purposes. World Wildlife Fund has put together a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012. 










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