Every year, we definitely hear various issues or news related to the declining number of animals around the world.
Regardless of the species, these animals are threatened with extinction by various factors such as natural disasters, illegal hunting, and habitat destruction.
Even in 2019, some animals have been confirmed extinct such as the Sumatran rhino, Indian cheetah, Spix Macaw, and Chinese paddlefish.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), here are three species of animals that might need to be taken seriously by all parties. This is because, these three animals are among the critically endangered animals from all over the world.
1) Amur Leopards
People usually think of leopards in the African savannah but in the Far East of Russia, rare subspecies have adapted to life in temperate forests that encompass the northernmost part of the species.
Agile and strong-legged, it carries and hides unfinished murders so that it is not taken by other predators. It has been reported that some males live with females after mating, and may even help raise cubs. Some males sometimes follow and fight for the sake of a female.
The life expectancy of Amur Leopard is 10-15 years, and in captivity up to 20 years. The Amur Leopard is also known as the Far East leopard, the Manchurian leopard, and the Korean leopard.
2) Black Rhino
It is the smaller of the two African rhino species. The population of black rhinos declined sharply in the 20th century at the hands of European hunters and settlers. Between 1960 and 1995, the number of black rhinos decreased by 98%, to less than 2,500.
But now, thanks to ongoing conservation efforts across Africa, the number of black rhinos has doubled from their historic level 20 years ago to between 5,042 to 5.45.
However, black rhinos are still considered endangered, and there is still a lot of work to be done to increase their numbers to a small number from the past. Unfortunately, what threatens the recovery is illegal poaching and the sale of rhino horns on the black market.
3) Bornean orangutan
The population of these animals has declined by more than 50% over the past 60 years, and the habitat of the species has decreased by at least 55% over the last 20 years.
With a wider face and shorter beard and a slightly darker color, Bornean orangutans differ in appearance from Sumatran orangutans.
Three subspecies are known, each localized to different parts of the island:
- Northwest Bornean orangutans are the most threatened subspecies. Its habitat has been seriously affected by logging and hunting, and a mere 1,500 individuals or so remain. Many habitat patches in the area are small and fragmented.
- Northeast Bornean orangutans are the smallest in size and found in Sabah and eastern Kalimantan as far as the Mahakam River.
- Central Bornean orangutans are the subspecies with the most animals, with at least 35,000 individuals.
Source: WWF