Endangered species

An endangered (EN) species is one which has been categorized by

the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as likely to
become extinct. Conservation biologists use the IUCN Red List, where "endangered"
is the second most severe conservation status for wild populations,
following critically endangered.
3079 animals and 2655 plants are endangered worldwide, compared with 1998
levels of 1102 and 1197, respectively. [1] The amount, population trend, and
conservation status of each species can be found in the lists of organisms by
population.
Many nations have laws that protect conservation reliant species: for example,
forbidding hunting, restricting land development, or creating preserves.
Conservation status
The conservation status of a species indicates the likelihood that it will
become extinct. Many factors are considered when assessing the conservation
status of a species; e.g., such statistics as the number remaining, the overall
increase or decrease in the population over time, breeding success rates, or known
threats.[2] The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the best-known worldwide
conservation status listing and ranking system.[3]
Over 40% of species are estimated to be at risk extinction. [4] Internationally, 199
countries have signed an accord to createBiodiversity Action Plans that will protect
endangered and other threatened species. In the United States this plan is usually
called a species Recovery Plan.[citation needed]
IUCN Red List
The Siberian tiger is a subspecies of tiger that is endangered; threesubspecies of
tiger are already extinct. (See: List of carnivorans by population)[5]
The IUCN Red List is far more than simply a list of threatened species; it is a system
of assessing the global conservation status of species. It includes all species that
have been assessed through the IUCN species assessment process and also
includes species for which assessments have been attempted, but ultimately
require more data to make a status determination - known as Data Deficient
species. Next along the IUCN Red List spectrum are species of Least Concern and
Near Threatened Species, both of which have been assessed and whose populations
are relatively robust and healthy (although they may be in decline). Threatened
Species refer collectively to the IUCN Red List categories of Vulnerable, Endangered,
and Critically Endangered species.

The IUCN Red List uses the term endangered species as a specific category of
imperilment, rather than as a general term. Under the IUCN Categories and
Criteria, endangered species is between critically endangered and vulnerable.
Also critically endangered species may also be counted as endangered species and
fill all the criteria.
IUCN categories, and some animals in those categories, include:

Extinct: Aurochs, Bali tiger, blackfin cisco, Caribbean monk seal, Carolina
parakeet, Caspian tiger, dodo, dusky seaside sparrow,eastern cougar, golden
toad, great auk, Japanese sea lion, Javan tiger, labrador duck, passenger
pigeon, Schomburgk's deer,Steller's sea cow, thylacine, toolache
wallaby, western black rhinoceros

Extinct in the wild: captive individuals survive, but there is no free-living,

natural population. Examples: Barbary lion, Catarina pupfish, Hawaiian
crow, Pre David's deer,Scimitar oryx, Socorro dove, Wyoming toad

Critically endangered: faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the

immediate future. Examples: addax, African wild ass, Alabama cavefish, Amur
leopard, Arakan forest turtle, Asiatic cheetah, axolotl, bactrian camel, Black
Rhino, Blue-throated macaw, Brazilian merganser, brown spider
monkey, California condor, Chinese alligator, Chinese giant
salamander, gharial, Hawaiian monk seal, Iberian lynx, Javan
rhino, kakapo, Mediterranean monk seal, mountain gorilla, Northern hairynosed wombat, Philippine eagle,red wolf, saiga, Siamese crocodile, Spix's
macaw, southern bluefin tuna, Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran
rhinoceros, vaquita, Yangtze river dolphin, northern white rhinoceros

Endangered: faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future.

Examples: African penguin, African wild dog, Asian elephant, Asian lion, blue
whale, bonobo, Bornean orangutan, common chimpanzee, dhole, eastern
lowland gorilla, Ethiopian wolf, hispid hare, giant otter, giant panda, Goliath
frog, green sea turtle, Grevy's zebra, hyacinth macaw, Japanese crane, Lear's
macaw, Malayan tapir, markhor, Persian leopard, proboscis monkey, pygmy
hippopotamus, red-breasted goose, Rothschild's giraffe, snow
leopard, Takhi, tiger, Vietnamese pheasant, volcano rabbit, wild water
buffalo, fishing cat

Vulnerable: faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term.

Examples: African grey parrot, African bush elephant(is likely to differ in areas
with poaching threats), African lion(may differ in areas with poaching
threats), American paddlefish, common carp, clouded
leopard, cheetah, dugong, far eastern curlew, fossa, Galapagos tortoise(may
differ with rising tourism), gaur, blue-eyed cockatoo, golden hamster, whale
shark, hippopotamus, Humboldt penguin, Indian rhinoceros, Komodo

dragon(may differ with the small number of females), lesser white-fronted

goose, mandrill, maned sloth, mountain zebra, polar bear, red panda, sloth
bear, takin, yak

Near threatened: may be considered threatened in the near future.

Examples: American bison, Asian golden cat, blue-billed duck, emperor
goose, emperor penguin,Eurasian curlew, jaguar, leopard, Larch Mountain
salamander, Magellanic penguin, maned wolf, narwhal, solitary eagle, white
rhinoceros, striped hyena, tiger shark, white eared pheasant

Least concern: no immediate threat to the survival of the species.

Examples: American alligator, American crow, Indian peafowl, olive
baboon, bald eagle, brown bear, brown rat, brown-throated sloth, Canada
goose, cane toad, common wood pigeon, cougar, common frog, giraffe, grey
wolf, house mouse, wolverine,[6] human, palm
cockatoo,mallard, meerkat, mute swan, platypus, red-billed quelea, red-tailed
hawk, rock pigeon, scarlet macaw, southern elephant seal, milk shark, red
howler monkey

United States
Endangered Species Act

"Endangered" in relation to "threatened" under the ESA

Under the Endangered Species Act in the United States, species may be listed as
"endangered" or "threatened". The Salt Creek tiger beetle (Cicindela nevadica
lincolniana) is an example of an endangered subspecies protected under the ESA.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service as well as the National Marine Fisheries Service are
held responsible for classifying and protecting endangered species, and adding a
particular species to the list can be a long, controversial process (Wilcove & Master,
2008, p. 414).
Some endangered species laws are controversial. Typical areas of controversy
include: criteria for placing a species on the endangered species list and criteria for
removing a species from the list once its population has recovered; whether
restrictions on land development constitute a "taking" of land by the government;
the related question of whether private landowners should be compensated for the
loss of uses of their lands; and obtaining reasonable exceptions to protection laws.
Also lobbying from hunters and various industries like the petroleum
industry, construction industry, and logging, has been an obstacle in establishing
endangered species laws.

The Bush administration lifted a policy that required federal officials to consult a
wildlife expert before taking actions that could damage endangered species. Under
the Obama administration, this policy has been reinstated.[7]
Being listed as an endangered species can have negative effect since it could make
a species more desirable for collectors and poachers. [8] This effect is potentially
reducible, such as in China where commercially farmed turtles may be reducing
some of the pressure to poach endangered species. [9]
Another problem with the listing species is its effect of inciting the use of the "shoot,
shovel, and shut-up" method of clearing endangered species from an area of land.
Some landowners currently may perceive a diminution in value for their land after
finding an endangered animal on it. They have allegedly opted to silently kill and
bury the animals or destroy habitat, thus removing the problem from their land, but
at the same time further reducing the population of an endangered species. [10] The
effectiveness of theEndangered Species Act, which coined the term "endangered
species", has been questioned by business advocacy groups and their publications,
but is nevertheless widely recognized as an effective recovery tool by wildlife
scientists who work with the species. Nineteen species have been delisted and
recovered[11] and 93% of listed species in the northeastern United States have a
recovering or stable population.[12]
Currently, 1,556 known species in the world have been identified as endangered, or
near extinction, and are under protection by government law (Glenn, 2006,
Webpage). This approximation, however, does not take into consideration the
number of species threatened with endangerment that are not included under the
protection of such laws as the Endangered Species Act. According
to NatureServe's global conservation status, approximately thirteen percent of
vertebrates (excluding marine fish), seventeen percent of vascular plants, and six to
eighteen percent of fungi are considered imperiled (Wilcove & Master, 2008, p. 415416). Thus, in total, between seven and eighteen percent of the United States'
known animals, fungi, and plants are near extinction (Wilcove & Master, 2008,
p. 416). This total is substantially more than the number of species protected under
the Endangered Species Act in the United States.
Over-hunting
Over-hunting and over-fishing have been a problem ever since mankind started to
hunt, and it is no different today. Animals like the bald eagle, grizzly bear, American
bison, timber wolf, and sea turtles have all been hunted nearly to extinction, and
these are the lucky ones. Others such as the dodo, passenger pigeon, great auk,
Tasmanian tiger, and Stellars sea cows were not as lucky as they were hunted to
extinction. All of these animals started off as a food source or ones almost
necessary for survival, but the need turned into greed and sport and the
populations of these animals were greatly depleted. A present day example of the

over-hunting of a species can be seen in the oceans as populations of certain

whales have been greatly reduced. Large whales like the blue whale, bowhead
whale, finback whale, gray whale, sperm whale, and humpback whale are some of
the eight whales which are currently still included on the Endangered Species List.
Actions have been taken to try to reduce whaling and increase population sizes,
including prohibiting all whaling in United States waters, the formation of the CITES
treaty which protects all whales, along with the formation of the International
Whaling Commission (IWC). But even though all of these movements have been put
in place, countries like Japan claim that they are whaling for scientific purposes
and continue to harvest whales. [13] Over-hunting,climatic change and habitat loss
leads in landing species in endangered species list and could mean that extinction
rates could increase to a large extent in the future.
Invasive Species
Main article: Introduced species
The introduction of non indigenous species to an area can disrupt the ecosystem to
such an extent that native species become endangered. Such introductions may be
termed alien or invasive species. In some cases the invasive species compete with
the native species for food or prey on the natives. In other cases a stable ecological
balance may be upset by predation or other causes leading to unexpected species
decline. New species may also carry diseases to which the native species have no
resistance.[14]
Conservation

The most endangered Asiatic top predator, the dhole, is on the edge of extinction.

Captive breeding

Captive breeding is the process of breeding rare or endangered species in human

controlled environments with restricted settings, such as wildlife preserves, zoos
and other conservation facilities. Captive breeding is meant to save species from
extinction and so stabilize the population of the species that it will not disappear. [15]

This technique has worked for many species for some time, with probably the oldest
known such instances of captive mating being attributed to menageries of European
and Asian rulers, an example being the Pre David's deer. However, captive
breeding techniques are usually difficult to implement for such highly mobile
species as some migratory birds (e.g. cranes) and fishes (e.g.hilsa). Additionally, if
the captive breeding population is too small, then inbreeding may occur due to a
reduced gene pool and reduceimmunity.

Private farming

Whereas poaching substantially reduces endangered animal populations, legal, forprofit, private farming does the opposite. It has substantially increased the
populations of the southern black rhinoceros and southern white rhinoceros. Dr
Richard Emslie, a scientific officer at the IUCN, said of such programs, "Effective law
enforcement has become much easier now that the animals are largely privately
owned... We have been able to bring local communities into the conservation
programmes. There are increasingly strong economic incentives attached to looking
after rhinos rather than simply poaching: from Eco-tourism or selling them on for a
profit. So many owners are keeping them secure. The private sector has been key to
helping our work."[16]
Conservation experts view the effect of China's turtle farming on the wild turtle
populations of China and South-Eastern Asiamany of which are endangeredas
"poorly understood".[17] Although they commend the gradual replacement of wildcaught turtles with farm-raised turtles in the marketplace (the percentage of farmraised individuals in the "visible" trade grew from around 30% in 2000 to around
70% in 2007),[18] they worry that many wild animals are caught to provide farmers
with breeding stock. The conservation expert Peter Paul van Dijk noted that turtle
farmers often believe that wild-caught animals are superior breeding stock; turtle
farmers may therefore seek and catch the very last remaining wild specimens of
some endangered turtle species. [18]
In 2009, researchers in Australia first coaxed southern bluefin tuna to breed in
landlocked tanks, raising the possibility that fish farming may be able to save the
species fromoverfishing.[19]
Gallery

The endangered island fox

population

The endangered sea otter has a relatively large

American bison skull heap. There were as few as

Immature California condor
750 bison in 1890 from economic-driven overhunting.

Loggerhead sea turtle

long-toed salamander

An Asian arowana
tiger that is endangered

Santa Cruz

The Siberian tiger is a subspecies of

TEN MOST ENDANGERED ANIMALS

http://www.allaboutwildlife.com/ten-most-endangered-animals
The Most Endangered Species
We mentioned in another article that picking a Ten Most Endangered Animals list
was a tough job. For every critically endangered creature you select, you must leave
out hundreds of other animals that are in just as much jeopardy.
Thats why, despite the photo at the left, we chose not to include the giant panda
on our roster of the worlds ten most endangered animals. The panda, as appealing
and important as it is, has gotten plenty of attention from conservationists and the
public alike. Time to make room for another critically endangered animal or two that
hasnt had as much time in the spotlight of looming extinction.
Scroll Down For Our 10 Most Endangered Animals List
Click links for more info and a short video on each species
1 Ivory-Billed Woodpecker A North American bird so endangered it may
actually be extinct
2 Amur Leopard The worlds rarest cat: Only 40 left in Russias Far East
3 Javan Rhinoceros No more than 60 of these swamp-dwelling Asian rhinos
exist
4 Northern Sportive Lemur Heres the scarcest of Madagascars fastdwindling lemur species
5 Northern Right Whale Hunted to near extinction, 350 right whales still
swim the Atlantic
6 The SaolaAn Asian Unicorn So rare it is almost mythological, the saola
hangs on by its hoof tips in a forest full of poachers snares
7 Leatherback Sea Turtle The population of the worlds largest turtle is
dropping at an alarming rate
8 Siberian (or Amur) Tiger The worlds biggest cat weighs as much as 300
kilos (660 pounds)
9 Chinese Giant Salamander Humans are eating the worlds largest
amphibian into extinction
10 The Little Dodo Bird Samoas little dodo bird is in immanent danger of
following the large dodo into extinction.
Plus . . . Five Critically Endangered Species From Our Previous Lists

Kakapo Parrot These flightless New Zealand birds are so rare they all have
names
Greater Bamboo Lemur Fewer than 100 of these Critically Endangered
animals remain
Mountain Gorilla Their habitat is shrinking, and fewer than 700 remain
Hawaiian Monk Seal Scientists dont know why this seals population keeps
declining
Western Lowland Gorilla Disease and illegal hunting are wiping out this
gentle giant
So, how did we choose our ten most endangered animals list? First, we consulted
the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Then, we reviewed the organizations data
on many of the most critically endangered animals around the world and made a
preliminary list based on the size of each species population and the threats that it
faces in the wild. Then, we divided that list into groups that included sea mammals,
terrestrial mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians. We didnt pick any insects even
though plenty of them are endangered and we didnt have a good reason not to.
Then . . . well, we picked the 10 that most appealed to us and that seemed to be
among the most in need of help.
If you wanted, you could visit the IUCNs web site and make your own ten most
endangered animals list. Unfortunately, there are thousands of creatures of all kinds
that qualify.
25 Most Endangered Species On Earth
http://list25.com/25-most-endangered-species-on-earth/
Although scientists estimate that there could be upwards of 30 million animal
species on the planet, a number of those species are teetering on the verge of
extinction due to mans thirst for consumption or entertainment. Hunted for meat,
for fur, and for other materials governments around the world are cracking down on
poaching and illegal hunting practices. Unfortunately, some of the animals on this
list have already been completely eliminated but for the most part these are the 25
most endangered species on Earth.
Addax
One of the rarest animals in the Sahara Desert is the Addax,
also known as the white antelope or screwhorn antelope. Its
a rather unique creature whose coat actually changes color
depending on the season. Due to its slow speed, however, it
is a welcome meal for predators and an easy target for
hunters. Its population hovers around 1,600.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

One of only two monk seal species left on Earth, the small
population of about 1,100 individuals is threatened by
human encroachment, very low levels of genetic variation,
entanglement in fishing nets, marine debris, disease, and
past commercial hunting for skins.
Mountain Gorilla
The mountain gorilla is primarily found in various regions all
across Africa namely Uganda, Rwanda, and Virunga. They
have thicker and longer fur, which makes them easily
adaptable to cold environments. Aside from poaching, their
population of 880 has decreased due to traps, kidnapping,
loss of habitat, interaction with tourists, being killed for
meat, and even lack of food.
Island Fox
The island fox is small, colorful, and primarily found on the
Channel Islands of California where many of them exist in
packs. Some of their subspecies can be found uniquely on
each of the six islands located within the area, which
amounts to a total of only 700.
Bactrian Camel
Two humps are indeed better than one, especially if you are
looking for a pack animal, but it certainly is a lot rarer.
Unfortunately, however, this group of camels is numbered at
only about 800. They are often found in Mongolia and China,
but they can also be seen in nearby countries like India,
Pakistan, and even Russia due to their migration habits.
Catarina Pupfish
The Catarina pupfish of Mexico no longer exists in the wild so
by some standards it would be technically extinct. Thanks to
the efforts of environmentalists, however, their are still a
couple aquariums housing the last remaining members of
their species.

Mediterranean Monk Seal

Related to the Hawaiian monk seal, the main difference
between the two is their choice of habitat with the
Mediterranean monk seal living inthe Mediterranean
(surprise!). This species is much closer to extinction,
however, with only 510 seals accounted for.
Philippine Eagle
Also known as the monkey-eating eagle, the Philippine
eagle is the national bird of the Philippines. Due to
deforestation and illegal logging activity the eagle is
considered to be critically endangered as its population is
down to 500.

California Condor
Although the condor has been attributed to California, it is
primarily found in areas along northern Arizona and southern
Utah, which makes it a resident bird of the Grand Canyon
and Zion National Park. It has a wingspan of over 3 meters, it
scavenges for carrion, and it can live over 60 years. Sadly
there are only 405 left.
Amur Leopard
Found in the southeastern regions of Russia near the
Chinese border, the amur leopard population is down to only
349 as they are being constantly poached for their skin.
Vaquita
The direct translation of its name from Spanish means little
cow and its habitat is limited to the northern parts of the
Gulf of California. There are only 300 left in the wild.
Sumatran Rhinoceros
Although the rhinoceros is considered to be one of the
biggest mammals on the planet, this specific breed is
actually the smallest of its kind. Their exact population is
unknown but researchers are projecting that there may be
275 of them left in the wild.

Brazilian Merganser
Often mistaken for a pigeon or a duck, the Brazilian
Merganser is usually found within the country of Brazil
although a few of them are located in Argentina. Because of
farming and mining activities that have interrupted the
ecological balance, this mergansers population has declined
to about 250.
Kakapo
The kakapo is one of the most unique birds you will ever see
and it is the only parrot incapable of flight. Found in New
Zealand it only comes in one color, yellow green, and it even
has whiskers under its beak. The 126 remaining birds are
extremely endangered.
Hawaiian Crow
The Hawaiian crow, also known as the Aumaka in the native
Hawaiian tongue, is now extinct in the wild, with only 109
remaining in captivity.
Arakan Forest Turtle
The Arakan forest turtle is so rare that it can only be found in
the Arakan hills of western Myanmar. Many believed that it
went extinct in 1908 until it was rediscovered in 1994
although it has been determined that there are less than a
hundred left in the wild.
Iberian Lynx
Found on the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal) the
extinction of the Iberian lynx would actually be the first of all
the feline species in the modern world.
Axolotl
The axolotl, sometimes called the water monster, is a kind of
fish salamander that is highly sought after in research circles
due to its abilities to regenerate, but it is quickly becoming
extinct.

Spixs Macaw

Often identified as a blue macaw, the Spixs macaw is native

to Brazil and only 93 are accounted for, all in captivity.
Javan Rhinoceros
Poached for their horns they are often used as ingredients in
formulating Chinese medicine and each kilogram (of their
horn) costs over $30,000 on the black market. There are
only 72 of them known to exist in the wild.
Siamese Crocodile
The Siamese crocodile is native to parts of Southeast Asia
and presently there are less than 70 left in the wild. Their
survival has been compromised by people taking lands for
farming, which affected the crocodiles due to the increase of
cattle, use of pesticides, and chemical fertilizers that
corrupted the clean water.
Brown Spider Monkey
The brown spider monkey received its name due to its long
limbs, which help it to swing and climb on trees. Its tail is
also flexible enough that it is considered more of a limb due
to its precision and usability when being used to hang on
branches. The population of 60 has been the result of
relentless hunting and wild animal trades, which usually
occur in northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela.
Mexican Wolf
The Mexican wolf holds the title of being the rarest and most
genetically distinct subspecies of the gray wolf, which is
found in North America. There are now 340 of them in over
49 research facilities all over the US and in Mexico. The
decline was primarily due to the decreasing number of elks
and deer, which they hunt for food.
Baiji
With less than twenty left in the world, the Baiji dolphin is
one of the most endangered species on Earth

Northern White Rhinoceros

The northern white rhinoceros is considered extinct in the

wild and the last 10 white rhinos in the world are now being
protected in conservation centers located in California and
the Czech Republic. These animals are so protected that
they even have guards by their side night and day to
prevent them from being killed by poachers.

http://www.arkive.org/endangered-species/
What is an endangered species?
Endangered species are those considered to be at risk of extinction, meaning that
there are so few left of their kind that they could disappear from the planet
altogether. Endangered species are threatened by factors such as habitat loss,
hunting, disease and climate change, and usually, endangered species, have a
declining population or a very limited range.
The current rate of extinction is thought to be far greater than the expected natural
rate, with many species going extinct before they have even been discovered.
Shockingly, current estimates suggest that a third of the worlds amphibians, a
quarter of all mammals and one in eight birds are endangered.
Endangered species usually have a small or declining population size or a very
limited range, meaning factors such as habitat loss, hunting, disease or climate
change could cause them to disappear completely within our lifetimes.
The alarming rate at which species are disappearing is something which should be a
cause for concern for us all. Not only do they add beauty and wonder to the natural
world, they are also of great global economic importance. A great diversity of
species maintains the ecosystems essential to our existence by helping to regulate
our climate and by providing:

clean air and water

food
medicines
building and clothing materials
fertile soils

With so many species at risk of extinction, the ARKive project is working to help
raise the public profile of the world's endangered species, through the emotive
power of wildlife films and photos. The ARKive project hopes to engage people with
the natural world. We will only succeed in rescuing species from the brink of
extinction if people know about their plight, importance and value.
Conservation status
The conservation status of a species indicates how great the risk is of that species
becoming extinct in the near future.
The most global and comprehensive system that determines the conservation
status of each species is theIUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Species are
assessed according to a number of different criteria, such as how many individuals
there are and whether this number is in decline. They are then placed on a scale in
one of the following categories:

Extinct
Extinct in the Wild
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Data Deficient

Any species which fall into the categories Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically
Endangered are considered to be at risk of extinction. Of the nearly 60,000 species
assessed so far, this equates to a staggering 20,222 species, from the
majestic tiger to the enormous giant clam.
Why are species endangered?
Animals and plants face a large number of different threats with many of them
being a direct result of human activity. Some of the most common threats include:

Habitat loss and habitat fragmentation The ever expanding human

population constantly requires additional space and resources. Land is being
cleared to harvest products such as timber as well as to make way for human
settlement, agriculture and transport links.

Hunting and poaching A wide variety of animals have been hunted, or

fished, beyond sustainable levels and now face possible extinction. Species,
such as the tiger, are often hunted because they provide a resource such as
food or parts which are used in traditional medicine. However, some
species, such as the cheetah, have been persecuted after gaining a negative

reputation for feeding upon livestock or crops or posing a threat to human

safety.

Invasive species Humans have introduced non-native species (both

intentionally and accidentally) to a wide variety of habitats, often with
devastating consequences. Introduced species may prove highly adaptable
and outcompete native species for resources. Introduced predators can
decimate local species which are not adapted to avoid predation, for example
ground dwelling birds like the kakapo.

Climate change - Droughts, ocean acidification, the loss of sea ice and an
increase in storms and extreme weather events can all threaten species
survival. Sedentary species like plants or specialist species which inhabit
small ranges or islands, or those with specific habitat requirements are
particularly vulnerable.

Disease Small populations, especially those which are limited in terms of

genetic diversity are particularly vulnerable to disease. Disease can often be
spread by domestic animals or accidentally introduced by humans travelling
from an affected area to one which had not previously been exposed.

Collection / pet trade Many animals and plants, such as the Venus flytrap,
have been collected from the wild beyond sustainable levels to be sold
through the pet trade or be kept in private horticultural collections.

Pollution Acid rain, heavy metals, pesticides, plastic waste and oil spills all
harm the environment and put species at risk. Chemicals are particularly
harmful to species that live in water.

What is being done to help endangered species?

Conservation aims to protect the natural world and sustain biodiversity by
carefully preserving and managing existing habitats and restoring areas which have
been damaged or degraded.
Species conservation can also take place outside a species natural habitat. For
example, caring for an endangered animal in captivity, such as in a zoo, or
preserving endangered plants through the use of seed banks.
In areas where humans and animals are competing for space or resources,
particularly in poorer developing countries, it is important that conservation work
takes into account the needs of local people and works alongside them in protecting
their native species.
Some commonly used conservation actions are as follows:

Habitat preservation The ideal solution is to protect habitats before they

are damaged. This can be achieved through the creation of national parks
and marine protected areas. However, it is important to note that many
larger species require extensive territories and designated protected areas
may not be large enough to support them.

Habitat restoration Where a habitat has already been degraded it is

sometimes possible to restore the habitat by carefully managing the land,
removing invasive species and reintroducing native species that had been
lost from the area. Some species are bred in captivity or relocated from other
areas for this purpose.

Ex-situ conservation Many endangered species are bred in captivity to

preserve their numbers and in some cases it is possible to reintroduce them
to the wild. Some species, like the Golden arrow poison frog, have even been
deliberately removed from the wild to protect them from the spread of
disease and ensure that a small population is preserved. Plant species are
often cultivated in nurseries and preserved via the use of seed banks.

Anti-poaching measures In remote areas guards are sometimes

employed to protect endangered species, such as the mountain gorilla, from
poachers. This can be a way of involving local communities in the protection
of their wildlife whilst also providing some employment opportunities.

Wildlife corridors Where habitats have been fragmented by divisions such

as roads, urban areas or farmland, populations become isolated and are
unable to move throughout their natural range to find sufficient resources
and mates. Wildlife corridors help to reconnect habitat fragments and
maintain genetic diversity.

Laws and policies Some endangered species are protected by law or

trade in them is restricted. CITES (The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species) is an international agreement between governments to
ensure that trade in wild animal and plant specimens does not threaten their
survival.

How can you help?

As well as supporting conservation organisations there are some simple steps that
everybody can take to help protect the natural world and the species in it. Here are
some ideas:

Recycle Help protect the rainforests - recycling one tonne of paper can
save 17 trees and preserve the habitat of a whole host of endangered
species.

Use less energy An old tip but a good one, you can save yourself money
and help the environment too. For example, energy saving light bulbs use 80
percent less energy than a standard bulb, yet produce the same amount of
light.

Choose sustainable products Make sure that all the products you buy
are sustainably sourced, from food and paper to timber.

Make your voice heard Petition for change! Many campaigns to help
wildlife are underway but they need your support.

Clean up your act Volunteer to take part in a litter pick or beach clean up.

Get involved Taking part in wildlife surveys is a fantastic way to enjoy the
great outdoors and find out more about your local wildlife. By assessing what
species are present you can help scientists plan how best to protect them in
the future.

Spread the word Through the ARKive project we hope to educate and
engage people with the natural world. If you are enthusiastic about saving
species then why not encourage your friends and family to learn more. Find
out how you can get involved.

Find out more about endangered species:

CITES - www.cites.org
Conservation International - www.conservation.org
Fauna & Flora International - www.fauna-flora.org
IUCN Red List - www.iucnredlist.org
WWF - www.worldwildlife.org
Endangered species facts

More snails and slugs (gastropods) are known to have become extinct than
any other animal group (281 species).

There are currently more endangered amphibians than any other animal
group, a startling 1,900 species, which accounts for around 30 percent of all
described amphibians.

Turtles are among the worlds most endangered vertebrates, with about half
of all turtle species threatened with extinction.

One third of open ocean sharks are threatened with extinction. Scientists
estimate that 26 - 73 millionsharks are killed each year for the global fin
trade.

Coral reefs are thought to be home to one quarter of the worlds fish species
and protect the coastlines of 109 countries. But approximately 75 percent of
the worlds coral reefs are rated as threatened.

The loneliest palm is probably the most endangered plant in the world, with
only one individual remaining in the wild.

The Abingdon Island tortoise is the rarest reptile in the world. Sadly only a
single male of this species, Lonesome George, remains alive today.

Many consider the Javan rhinoceros to be the most endangered mammal.

With its recent extinction in Vietnam, less than 50 remaining individuals are
confined to the Indonesian island of Java.

Once thought to be the most endangered snake, the Antiguan

racer population has increased from just 50 individuals in the mid-90s to over
500 today. Eradication of rats from their island homes, and a successful
captive breeding and reintroduction programme mean that the Antiguan
racers future is now looking much brighter.

According to the IUCN Red List, there are more threatened species
in Ecuador than any other country (2,265), which is greater than Brazil (784),
the USA (1,214) and Indonesia (1,149).

Conservation International has named 34 biodiversity hotspots which are

most important to conserve. Although their combined area is just 2.3 percent
of the Earth's land surface, over 50 percent of the worlds plant species and
42 percent of all terrestrial vertebrate species are endemic to these hotspots

The tropical rainforests, seas and freshwater ecosystems of Malaysia support a rich
and diverse array of both flora and fauna.
In fact, Malaysia is recognised as one of 12 mega-diversity countries with many of
its species occurring in unusually high densities (for example, there are estimated to
be around 1,500 species of terrestrial vertebrates alone).
Many of these species are, however, threatened (for example, 14% of Malaysias
mammals are listed by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) as endangered).
Though WWF-Malaysia does not work exclusively on species-focused projects, these
do represent a major component of our work. With such projects taking place
throughout Malaysia (from the Northern forests of Peninsular Malaysia to the coastal

waters of the South China Sea and over to the valleys of Sabah) we work towards
the protection and management of six different species; the tiger, Borneon Pygmy
elephant, Sumatran rhinoceros and orang-utan in the forests and both the hawksbill
and the green turtles in the seas and on the beaches.
Within the WWF network, all of these species are considered to be flagships that
is, as ambassadors for conservation in Malaysia. The common factor that connects
them all is that by conserving them, we are also conserving rich habitats and
addressing major threats that impact on a variety of associated species. For
example, a key requirement for tigers is that its forest home contains enough deer
and wild pig as food; conservation of the tiger, then, means protecting deer
populations which, in turn, help shape the forests by browsing on vegetation.
Generally speaking, the main threats that these animals face stem from either the
loss of their habitat or the removal of individuals from the wild. Poaching, for
instance, is an important issue for many of our flagship species: Malaysias
population of Sumatran rhino, for example, has been almost completely wiped out
mainly because of the monetary value of its horn. In fact, illegal trade in wildlife is
on the rise in this region of the world. Malaysia, in particular, is a source for much of
the international demand, as well as a conduit or trade hub. WWF-Malaysia works
together with TRAFFIC-SEA and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks to try
and combat a secret army of poachers working in Malaysia.

The following pages will give you a better idea of how WWF-Malaysia works with its
partners, including local communities, towards reversing the impacts of these
threats and bringing Malaysias wildlife back from the brink of extinction.
Tiger
Rhino
Elephant
Turtles
Orang-utan