All About Endangered Species

Some Well Known Endangered Species

• Hippo


• Asian Elephant


• Black Rhinoceros


• Bengal Tiger


• Blue Whale


• Giant Panda


• Green Turtle


• Loggerhead Turtle



• Leatherback Turlte


• Mountain Gorilla


• Perregrine Falcon


• Zebra

The term "endangered species" refers to the likelihood that the species is heading towards extinction. Considerations when concluding whether a species is endangered are breeding success, population, decline, and threats to the species.

"Endangered" status means different things to the IUCN and ESA. The IUCN lists endangered species between "critically endangered" and "vulnerable." The IUCN groups "threatened" species into these groups as well.

Here are the IUCN categories (courtesy:Wikipedia):

Extinct: the last remaining member of the species has died, or is presumed beyond reasonable doubt to have died. Examples: Thylacine, Dodo, Passenger Pigeon
Extinct in the wild: captive individuals survive, but there is no free-living, natural population. Examples: Alagoas Curassow
Critically endangered: faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future. Examples: Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Arakan Forest Turtle, Javan Rhino
Endangered: faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future. Examples: Cheetah, Blue Whale, Snow Leopard, African Wild Dog, Tiger
Vulnerable: faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term. Examples: Gaur, Lion, Wolverine
Least Concern: no immediate threat to the survival of the species. Examples: Brown Rat, Nootka Cypress

There are a number of endangered species controversies.

• Does the Endangered Species Act work?


• Is it right to cede land from land owners to preserve species?


• What should land owners be compensated?


• Is it unfair to spend money to save animals that migrate to countries that do not help the endangered species in question?


• Does it discourage poaching and collecting?

You may be thinking there is nothing you can do to protect endangered species, and that many of them are too distant for you to make any impact. You're wrong! Here are some things you can do...

• Donate to a reputable organization whose mission is aimed at protecting these endangered species (see the list of endangered species organizations you can donate to below!)


• Write to your congress people and express your concerns for these species before its too late!


• Act Locally! Discover what endangered species may be living close to you and see how you can get involved in helping protect them and their habitat


• Be aware of how your everyday actions impact the environment and realize there affects on the habitats of all creatures, especially those that are endangered

These animals are safe...for now. However, their numbers are declining due to loss of habitat, poaching, and predation. Will these animals soon be on the endangered species list?