Over the years, endangered species have increased dangerously. Thus leaving serious environmental consequences and above all, loss of species that will never exist again. It is undoubtedly a situation that occurs in various parts of the world and most of the time, man is the main cause of this problem. For this and other reasons, you should know which are the 12 animals in danger of extinction in 2021.
What are the endangered animals in 2021?
Of the more than eight thousand species of animals that inhabit the planet, at least 20% are animals in danger of extinction. Although it is true that various associations work daily to prevent the disappearance of some species, there are cases that are already unavoidable. So despite the efforts, many of these animals end up disappearing completely. Below we show you the 12 animals in danger of extinction this 2021.
Mountain gorilla
Among the endangered species, the mountain gorilla is one of the most vulnerable and is on the verge of its total disappearance. In fact, there are only two populations of mountain gorillas, both of which live in the wild. The first is in the Bwindi forest in Uganda and the other in the Virunda mountains.
Currently, the number of mountain gorillas is barely around 900 copies, due to different threats. Among these is poaching, reduction of its natural habitat, diseases and even war in areas close to its habitat.
white rhino
It is the large species among all the rhinos living today. According to its classification, the white rhinoceros is very close to being threatened, so it is part of the animals in danger of extinction.
The specimens of these animals have been in danger since 2011 and today the risk of disappearing is very high. Although part of the white rhino population has increased, illegal hunting still threatens the lives of these endangered animals.
It should be noted that at the beginning of the 20th century, there were barely a thousand copies left and in 2021 it has increased to about 20 thousand. However, it is still in danger of becoming completely extinct.
Snow Leopard
Of all the wild cat species, the snow leopard is one of the most difficult creatures to spot. This is because they are animals that need a habitat of more than 200 square kilometers to live. Every day man invades large areas of this animal’s habitat to use as land for crops. In addition, the melting of the Himalayas has also significantly reduced the natural habitat of these endangered species.
orangutan
The Bornean orangutan is one of the ape species most threatened by extinction today. In the last two decades, at least one hundred thousand specimens of these orangutans have died of various causes. Although various campaigns have been carried out to prevent its complete extinction, this species is still in serious danger. Between the 1980s and 1990s, hundreds of hectares of the Borneo jungle were destroyed for the benefit of man.
Pink dolphin
Many of the specimens of these dolphins have died after being accidentally caught in fishing nets. Also due to the contamination of their habitat and the indiscriminate fishing to which they have been subjected in recent years. For these reasons, pink dolphins are on the list of endangered species, since the number of remaining species is unknown. In addition, its reproduction in captivity is practically impossible.
Polar Bear
Polar bears are the animals most affected by the melting of glaciers and climate change has reduced the number of their specimens. In fact, every year polar bears see how their hunting areas and, above all, their refuges, decrease. Besides, for more than 50 years the polar bear has been in danger due to its illegal hunting.
Pangolin
Between 2007 and 2017, just over a million of these species were traded worldwide. His capture was not complicated at all, since pangolins coil up when they feel threatened. This makes them easy prey for hunters who just have to grab them and put them in a cage. Many are captured to eat them, since their meat is exquisite according to certain people.
Red tuna
According to IUCN data, the population of bluefin tuna has decreased by up to 85% in the last 40 years, these fish live in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Indiscriminate fishing is the main cause of bluefin tuna being on the list of animals in danger of extinction. In several parts of the world the consumption of bluefin tuna meat is highly demanded, for this reason its capture has become overfishing.
Axolotl
Also known as axolotl, the axolotl is a species of amphibian that lives in some regions of Mexico. Its natural habitat has been reduced by high levels of pollution, use of pesticides and fertilizers. One of the most amazing characteristics of the axolotl is that it has a completely unique ability to regenerate. In just a week his amputated limbs can grow back. This is incredible and at the same time sad, since they are an endangered species.
Panda bear
In 1980, China carried out one of the largest conservation campaigns known to date. All with the intention of saving the life of the panda bear and preventing them from becoming endangered species. Poaching of these animals was completely prohibited and the forests came to be protected by various associations. Likewise, a program was started with the aim of raising panda bears in captivity.
Thanks to this program, the panda bear avoided extinction, but it does not mean that they are no longer in danger. Because the breeding program for these species is very expensive, the extinction of these animals is still latent, especially in 2021.
monarch butterfly
This species of butterflies needs to consume milkweed, since it is their main source of food. It is a plant that has a certain level of toxicity used by these butterflies to protect themselves from predators. However, every year millions of hectares of milkweed are severely damaged by herbicides. As if that were not enough, climate change also affects the survival of these beautiful animals in danger of extinction.
Angonoka turtle
They usually live normally in the territory of Madagascar, but there are only approximately 400 copies left. So this makes the angonoka turtle another of the animals in danger of extinction this 2021. One of the reasons why this sea turtle is in danger of disappearing is the smuggling of its eggs. Indiscriminate fishing as well as the felling of trees negatively affects the habitat of these animals.
These marine species need 15 years to fully reach sexual maturity and thus reproduce. Which means that losing their eggs drastically shortens the existence of these endangered species.
Why are there animals in danger of extinction?
The animals become in danger of extinction at the moment in which their specimens and habitats are threatened with disappearance. Being some causes more decisive than others for the extinction of certain animals to occur.
Every year, thousands of kilometers of forests are cleared by man to build residential, agricultural or industrial areas. This action significantly reduces the feeding and refuge areas of many terrestrial species. The same is true of overfishing and indiscriminate hunting of some animals for their meat or for sale.
Climate change has also been a determining factor in the partial or total disappearance of thousands of animals. Since it causes droughts, floods and forest fires, thus destroying the habitat of different species.
To avoid this, many countries carry out campaigns to prevent the destruction of the habitat of species that are in danger of extinction. Taking special measures to combat poaching and indiscriminate overfishing that have so affected the ecosystem of thousands of species.
Sources:
national geographic
endangered species
my animals