Animals we may never see again

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Climate change will affect not only humans, but also many animals. The planet's biodiversity could be severely affected in the event of severe global warming, but many species are already under threat of extinction. There are populations of less than 1000 individuals, and some are under 100! Perhaps scientists will still be able to save some animals, but do not forget that the responsibility for preserving the life of animals lies with each of us.

If the number of people were sharply reduced to 100 people, it would be an apocalypse. But for some reason, we rarely pay attention to those whose populations are going through such times.

We propose to find out which animals are the rarest at the moment, what influenced the decline in their populations and how to prevent this in the future.

California porpoise, total 30 individuals

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in 2016 this species is doomed and it is no longer possible to save it. The California porpoise, or vakita, has never been hunted.

The existence of the species was confirmed only in 1985, after which scientists began to notice a significant decline in the population. The main reason for the slow extinction of the species is by-catch in nets in the Gulf of California.

Far Eastern leopard, about 100 individuals in total

The Far Eastern leopard lives in China and Russia, and it has always been considered a small species, but in the 2000s there were only 35 individuals in the world! According to the latest data, 97 individuals live on the territory of Russia.

Scientists believe that the main threats to the species are poaching and destruction of the habitat due to logging operations, the expansion of the network of roads and railways.

Blue Macaw, more than 90 individuals in captivity

If you've ever watched Rio, you know that the main characters, the blue macaws, have long since disappeared into the wild. In 2007, there were only 90 birds of this species in captivity (mainly by private individuals).

Now the situation is improving, but it is impossible to find out the exact number of parrots that live with people. The main reason for the extinction of the species was poaching.

Sumatran rhino, less than 80 individuals

Last year, the whole world spread the sad news about the death of the last representative of this species in Malaysia. The female Iman died of cancer. For many years, the staff of the reserve, where Iman and another male Tama lived, tried to get offspring using IVF.

However, the attempts were unsuccessful. As of 2015, fewer than 80 Sumatran rhinos remained in the wild, previously this species lived in Burma, East India, the Malay Peninsula and Bangladesh.

Now it is found only on the island of Sumatra. The main reason for the decline in the population is poaching, which is due to the popularity of rhino horns in Chinese traditional medicine.

Snow leopard, less than 90 individuals (in Russia)

Despite the fact that the snow leopard (irbis) was excluded from the list of endangered species in 2017, we decided to remind you of this fabulous animal that may disappear from the territory of Russia.

According to WWF, less than 90 individuals of this species remain in our country. Previously, poaching was the cause of the extinction of the snow leopard, now experts say that the predator often falls into loops installed on other animals.