7 of the world’s most endangered species on the verge of extinction

As per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, more than 47,000 species are under the threat of extinction. 

Here’s a look at the seven most endangered species in the world. 

Sunda Pangolin

These are one of the eight species of Pangolins. They are mostly nocturnal animals found in forests across Southeast Asia. 

Its meat is considered a luxury product in some countries and their scales are used as an ingredient in traditional medicines. 

As a result, these species have become increasingly rare and are under the Critically Endangered IUCN List. 

Amur Leopard

These are one of the rarest big cats in the world, with only 130 individuals left across the globe as per World Wide Fund for Nature, a non-governmental organisation founded in 1961.

These species can only be found in small parts of Russia and China. 

These have been critically endangered since 1996. 

The Amur leopards are found in small parts of Russia and China. (Freepik)

Sunda Tiger

The Sunda Tiger, also known as the Sumatran Tiger is the smallest tiger subspecies in the world, weighing up to 140 kg. 

They are only found on the Sumatran islands of Indonesia. 

Sunda tigers are listed under the Critically Endangered species in the IUCN List. 

Mountain Gorilla

These species live in high mountains in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Loss of habitat has been the key threat to them. 

At present, these species are considered endangered with an estimated 1,063 individuals in the wild. 

Bornean Orangutan

These are the largest tree dwelling mammals in the world. They can only be found on the island of Borneo. 

It is estimated that more than one lakh Bornean Orangutans were lost between 1999 and 2015. 

They are critically endangered and are only around 1,04,700 in numbers in the wild. 

Yangtze Finless Porpoise

These are the only living fresh water porpoise in the world. This aquatic mammal currently only found in the Yangtze river in China and is listed as a critically endangered species.

Results from the 2022 census conducted by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture show a rise in the number of the porpoises from 1,012 to 1,249. 

Black Rhino

Three subspecies had been declared extinct in 2011. Today, 95 per cent of the Black Rhinos are found in just four countries: Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

These remain under the critically endangered list of IUCN with just 6,421 individuals in the wild. 

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