10 of the World’s Most Endangered Animals in the Wild 

Animals are an amazingly beautiful diverse group that inhabit our planet. Animals are a huge part of the journey of life and the world would not be the same would not be the same without them. But sadly, a lot of animal species have gone extinct or are on the way there. Currently, more than 41,000 species have been assessed to be under threat of extinction according to the IUCN. 

Our society in modern times continues to get more and more resource-intensive, we are running out of natural spaces and wildlife numbers are declining because of it. Wildlife populations have decreased by 69% on average since 1970. While some people are doing everything they can to help and have had immaculate and inspirational wildlife successes and stories of saving animals or helping endangered numbers grow, so many animals are still endangered. This is mostly because of unsustainable human-led activities. Currently, on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, more than 41,000 species have been assessed to be under threat of extinction. Here is a list of 10 of the world’s most endangered animals in the wild: 

1. JAVAN RHINOS

Javan Rhinos are in south-east Asia and have suffered a decline in their numbers due to hunting and loss of habitat. There are only 75 Javan Rhinos left found in Java, Indonesia.  

2. AMUR LEOPARD

The Amur leopard is one of the rarest big cats in the world. These leopards have been endangered since 1996 but their population seems to be stable and increasing as of now. There are only 100 Amur Leopards left in the wild.  

3. SUNDA ISLAND TIGER

The Sunda Island tiger, also known as the Sumatran tiger, are special because they are the smallest tiger in the world. The biggest tigers in the world can weigh up to twice as much as Sunda Island Tigers. There are only about 600 Sunda Island Tigers left in the wild. They are only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. 

4. MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

The Mountain gorilla is a subspecies of the eastern gorilla. Mountain Gorillas population seem to be in recovery but anything cold change that. There are just over 1000 Mountain Gorillas left in the wild. You can find this species up in the volcanic, mountainous regions of the democratic republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, or in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda.  

5. TAPANULI ORANGUTAN

The Tapanuli orangutan is what we newly described as the species of orangutan. Tapanuli Orangutans were listed as a distinct species in 2017. Tapanuli Orangutans are the most endangered great ape species in the world with only 800 left in the wild. You can find them in tropical forests of the Batang Toru ecosystem on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia.  

6. YANGTZE FINLESS PORPOISE

The Yangtze Finless Porpoise is a very unique species, as it is the only living freshwater porpoise found in the world. There are only around 1,000 Yangtze Finless Porpoises left in the wild. This aquatic mammal can be found in the Yangtze River in China and is listed as a critically endangered species.  

7. BLACK RHINOS

Black Rhinos populations have suffered so much because of large-scale poaching. Only around 2% of black rhinos survived the period when poaching was at its worst, this was between 1960 and 1995. There are around 5,630 Black rhinos left in the wild. 

8. AFRICAN FOREST ELEPHANT

African Forest Elephants are one of the two members of the African elephant species. The actual number of African Forest Elephants is unknown because the elephants are very shy. But they are still listed as endangered as their population has decreased by 86% over 31 years. This decline is due to poaching. You can find these African forest elephants in central Africa. Poaching is very popular in Central Africa.  

9. SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN

The Sumatran orangutan is found exclusively on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. There are less than 14,000 Sumatran orangutans left in the wild. Sumatran Orangutans need to live in the forest but with so much of their habitat getting cut down they face issues which have led to their endangerment.  

10. HAWKSBILL TURTLES

The Hawksbill turtle is found in nearshore tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, the Indian, and the Pacific Ocean. There are anywhere in-between 20,000 and 23,000 nesting turtles but it is very hard to be sure as they live in the ocean and love to wander. Plastic pollution is the biggest reason for the endangerment of Hawksbill turtles.