Most Endangered Animals

Many animals are endangered today but there are a few animals that are on the brink of extinction and without our awareness, will be wiped off the face of this planet.

Few such animals are:

                                                      The Ivory Billed Woodpecker

Artists depiction of an ivory billed woodpecker

The ivory billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) is one of the largest species of woodpecker. This is also considered to be one of the most rare bird. It is thought to be extinct though some people claim to have sighted it but there is no evidence. This bird inhabited most parts of North America. They prefer thick hardwood swamps and pine forests which were abundant before the American Civil War. Due to heavy poaching and logging, these birds were almost driven to extinction. They were thought to be extinct for a long time. In 2006, a group of researchers claim to have spotted 14 individuals in the Florida panhandle. But this information was not conclusive enough to declare that this species is still surviving.

The South China Tiger

The South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) is a subspecies of tiger that is found only in China. They are thought to be extinct in the wild but they exist in captivity. In the early 1950's, these animals were officially hunted as a pest. That time, their estimated population was 4000. In the next 30 years, about 3000 individuals were killed leaving only about 80-100 individuals in the wild. In 1979, the hunting of this animal was banned. In 1995, they considered the survival of this tiger a conservation priority. In 2002, they started a rewilding project. They started breeding them in South Africa as South Africa had the expertise, land and game to look after these tigers. This project was very successful as 14 cubs were born out of which 11 survived. They learnt how to hunt and live independently. The researchers are hoping that the second generation of tigers will be able to live without their interference. If this happens, they can be released back into the wild.

The Northern White Rhinoceros

The northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) is a subspecies of the white rhinoceros. This rhino is critically endangered or possibly extinct in the wild. This rhinoceros was once abundant throughout the eastern and central parts of Africa. In 1960, the population was estimated to be more than 2000 individuals. In 1984, the population was affected due to poaching and the population declined to 15 individuals. All the 15 individuals were present in Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 1993, the population rose to 30 individuals. Now only four of these rhinos are found in wild (Garamba National Park). These four individuals have not been spotted in recent years and may have been killed. If so, these animals would be extinct in wild apart from the efforts of Ol Pejeta Conservancy to introduce these animals back to the wild. In 2009, two Russian pilots claim that they spotted a few northern white rhinos in southern Sudan. A few individuals are present in zoos and sanctuaries around the world.

The Northern Sportive Lemur

The northern sportive lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis) is one of the most rarest species of primate. This small lemur, the smallest of its family (lepilemur) is restricted to the northern tip of the island Madagascar. The estimated number is said to be below 100 individuals with none in wild. These lemurs are nocturnal. They are affected by deforestation due to charcoal production and hunting. The northern sportive lemurs inhabit dry, deciduous forests. In the early 21st century, there were a few thousands of these individuals and was rated as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Now, they are rated as 'Critically Endangered' by the IUCN.

Source of pic 1, pic 2, pic 3, pic 4