Modern people are so carried away by the development of technology that they practically stopped paying attention to the harm that their activities cause to the world of wild nature. Meanwhile, dozens of different animal species are on the verge of complete extinction. Here are just a few of them.
1. Sumatran orangutan
Sumatran Orangutan Photo: Ltshears / Wikimedia Commons
Over the past 75 years, the number of Sumatran orangutans has declined by more than 80 percent. This is due to the deterioration of the ecological situation, massive deforestation and illegal capture of animals.
2. Polar bear
Polar Bear Photo: Alan Wilson / Wikimedia Commons
Climate change, loss of habitat for these animals and the development of oil fields have contributed to the decline in the number of these mammals. According to some experts, under the current situation, polar bears will become extinct within 100 years.
3. Red wolf
Red Wolf Photo: Kalyanvarma / Wikimedia Commons
About 30 years ago, the last 17 remaining red wolves were placed in captivity in the hopes of increasing and stabilizing their numbers. Today, the number of these animals has increased to about 100 individuals, but due to deforestation, they are still threatened with extinction.
4. Amur tiger
Amur tiger Photo: Ltshears / Wikimedia Commons
Amur tigers are the largest representatives of the feline family. According to various estimates, between 400 and 500 individuals of this subspecies of tigers remain in the wild.
5. Sifaki
Sifaki Photo: Jean-Louis Vandevivère from Paris, France / Wikimedia Commons
Sifaki or crested indri are endangered as a result of deforestation, loss of natural habitats and hunting for these animals.
6. Vakita (California porpoise)
Vakita (California porpoise) Photo: Paula Olson, NOAA / Wikimedia Commons
The endangered Vakita is considered one of the rarest species of marine mammals. In January 2017, the Californian harbor porpoise numbered less than 50 individuals.
7. Western gorilla
Western gorilla Photo: Brocken Inaglory / Wikimedia Commons
The reason for the catastrophic decline in the number of this species of primates was poaching. According to experts, the population of western gorillas will decline by more than 80 percent by 2046.
8. Black rhino
Black Rhino Photo: John and Karen Hollingsworth, US Fish and Wildlife Service / Wikimedia Commons
Rhinos are one of the oldest groups of mammals, practically living fossils. As a result of poaching, by 1995 the number of black rhinos was only 2,410 individuals. Since then, the number of representatives of this species of mammals has been steadily growing. By the end of 2010, their number was already 4880 individuals. However, these numbers are 90 percent lower than those of 300 years ago.
9. Humpback whale
Humpback whale Photo: Wanetta Ayers / Wikimedia Commons
Humpback whales, like other large whales, have long been a desirable target for the whaling industry. Only after the introduction of a ban on fishing did their numbers begin to recover. Now the number of humpback whales is approximately 18-20 thousand individuals.
10. Leatherback turtle
Leatherback Turtle Photo: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region / Wikimedia Commons
The greatest threat to the existence of leatherback turtles comes from commercial fishing and human activities that result in marine pollution. Currently, there are about 34 thousand females nesting in the wild.
