10 most endangered animal species on earth (& 1 is a wolf!)

Although scientists estimate that there could be upwards of 30 million animal species on the planet, a number of those species are teetering on the verge of extinction due to man’s thirst for consumption or entertainment. Hunted for meat, for fur, and for other materials governments around the world are cracking down on poaching and illegal hunting practices.

10. The Arakan Forest Turtle

The Arakan forest turtle is so rare that it can only be found in the Arakan hills of western Myanmar. Many believed that it went extinct in 1908 until it was rediscovered in 1994 although it has been determined that there are less than a hundred left in the wild.

9. The Iberian Lynx

Found on the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) the extinction of the Iberian lynx would actually be the first of all the feline species in the modern world. A record that we must not break!

8. The Axolotl

The axolotl, sometimes called the water monster, is a kind of fish salamander that is highly sought after in research circles due to its abilities to regenerate, but it is quickly becoming extinct.

7. Spix’s Macaw

Often identified as a blue macaw, the Spix’s macaw is native to Brazil and only 93 are accounted for, all in captivity. Only if modern breeding programs succeed this species might be able to live free in the wild again.

6. Javan Rhinoceros

Poached for their horns they are often used as ingredients in formulating Chinese medicine and each kilogram (of their horn) costs over $30,000 on the black market. There are only 72 of them known to exist in the wild. Fortunately, these animals are heavily protected by human guards.

5. The Siamese Crocodile

The Siamese crocodile is native to parts of Southeast Asia and presently there are less than 70 left in the wild. Their survival has been compromised by people taking lands for farming, which affected the crocodiles due to the increase of cattle, use of pesticides, and chemical fertilizers that corrupted the clean water.

4. Brown Spider Monkey

The brown spider monkey received its name due to its long limbs, which help it to swing and climb on trees. Its tail is also flexible enough that it is considered more of a limb due to its precision and usability when being used to hang on branches. The population of 60 has been the result of relentless hunting and wild animal trades, which usually occur in northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela.

3. The Mexican Wolf

The Mexican wolf holds the title of being the rarest and most genetically distinct subspecies of the gray wolf, which is found in North America. There are now 340 of them in over 49 research facilities all over the US and in Mexico. The decline was primarily due to the decreasing number of elks and deer, which they hunt for food.

2. The Baji Dolphin

With less than twenty left in the world, the Baiji dolphin is one of the most endangered species on Earth. Global warming and the overall climate change is forcing the Baji dolphin into territories in which it simply cannot find enough food or survive.

1. The Northern White Rhinoceros

The northern white rhinoceros is considered extinct in the wild and the last 10 white rhinos in the world are now being protected in conservation centers located in California and the Czech Republic. These animals are so protected that they even have guards by their side night and day to prevent them from being killed by poachers.


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