Buzz
Scientists believe Earth has undergone five mass extinctions before humans even existed. Right now, we're in the midst of a sixth extinction event that is putting the planet's biodiversity at serious risk. This extinction is driven by human activity, leading to the disappearance of many species we hardly even knew existed. While some of these creatures will never be documented, here are ten endangered species that are at risk and may be unfamiliar to you.
10. Axolotl
The charming axolotls, with their perpetual smiles and delicate feathery gills, could easily be mistaken for characters from a new Pokémon series. Native to lakes around Mexico City, this species is critically endangered, primarily due to the rapid urban development and pollution in the area. Often confused with the 'Mexican walking fish,' axolotls are actually neotenic salamanders, meaning they retain their larval features throughout their lives, giving them their distinctive appearance.
This species is found only in two lakes near Mexico City: Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco. Unfortunately, only Lake Xochimilco remains today. With its shrinking habitat, it may now be extinct in the wild, surviving only through extensive research into its regenerative abilities. In the wild, axolotls are typically a muddy brown or albino, though some populations display a striking neon pink hue. These colorful variations have become quite popular in the pet industry, contributing to the decline of wild axolotls.
9. Markhor
The markhor resembles a creature from an old Dungeons & Dragons manual but is, in fact, a large goat native to Central Asia. Its various subspecies range from Afghanistan to the Himalayas, thriving in the region's steep, rocky terrains. Like many wild goats, the markhor is well-adapted to the rugged environment.
Male markhors have massive corkscrew-shaped horns that can grow up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) long! These extraordinary horns have made the markhor both a target for hunters and a sought-after commodity in the illicit animal trade, as well as for supposed medicinal uses. However, there is some good news: the IUCN has recently moved the markhor from endangered to near threatened, as the population has increased by 20 percent over the last decade.
8. Saiga Antelope
The hump-nosed saiga antelope is found in the dry steppes and grasslands of Central Asia, mainly in Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, this species has become critically endangered in a remarkably short span. It features a unique, elongated snout that helps protect its lungs from dust. Since the 1990s, saiga populations have plummeted dramatically, from over a million to just 50,000 individuals, largely due to unregulated hunting and the illegal horn trade following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
A particularly strange phenomenon has further exacerbated the saiga's decline. Mass die-offs have been occurring, including an alarming event in May 2015, when 134,000 saiga perished over just two weeks. The cause of these devastating die-offs remains a mystery, leaving the already dwindling saiga population in a vulnerable state.
7. Kakapo
Endemic to New Zealand, the flightless kakapo holds the title of being the only ground-dwelling parrot in the world. With only around 125 individuals remaining, it is one of the most critically endangered species on the planet. Once spread across both the North and South Islands, the kakapo population is now confined to three predator-free offshore islands: Codfish Island, Little Barrier Island, and Anchor Island.
Historically, the Maori people hunted kakapos for their meat and feathers, but the real threat to their survival came with the introduction of non-native predators, particularly after European settlers arrived. Being ground-dwellers, kakapos are highly vulnerable to attacks from animals like rats, stoats, and cats. However, there's hope: thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, the kakapo population has increased by 68 percent since 1955. Kudos to New Zealand for the progress.
6. Hooded Seal
The hooded seal, with its striking, bulbous face, is a vulnerable species with only around 650,000 individuals left in the wild. Its range extends across the icy waters bordering Norway, Iceland, and Greenland.
The sexual dimorphism in hooded seals is extraordinary, as males feature a large, inflatable sac that hangs between their eyes and upper lip. This sac is actually part of their nasal cavity, capable of inflating to twice the size of a football. Males use this impressive display to challenge each other. In addition, they can inflate a reddish, balloon-like membrane from one nostril.
While hunting in Canada, Russia, and Norway does affect their populations, the main threat seems to be the depletion of fish stocks. As overfishing has started to impact local fish populations, hooded seals have been spotted as far south as the Canary Islands, likely in search of more abundant prey.
5. Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle
At first glance, the Cantor’s Giant Soft-shelled Turtle (also known as the Asian giant soft-shelled turtle) might resemble a tortoise left out in the sun, but it is in fact a large species of freshwater turtle found across much of Southeast Asia, with its range originally stretching from India to Indonesia. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly endangered.
This ambush predator spends the majority of its life submerged in water, buried beneath the sand, with just its head sticking out, waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. It surfaces only occasionally to breathe. Its slow-moving nature makes it an easy target for hunters seeking meat, both for international trade and local consumption. Additionally, its frequent submersion makes it highly vulnerable to flooding and the construction of dams.
4. Pangolin
With its tough, scale-covered body and a tongue longer than its own body length, the pangolin is unfortunately the most trafficked animal on Earth, making up about 20 percent of the entire illegal wildlife trade. Its armor-like scales allow it to curl into a defensive ball when threatened by predators.
The pangolin's scales are made of keratin, the same material as human nails and hair, and are highly sought after on the black market for supposed medicinal benefits. These unique scales make the pangolin the only mammal in the world covered in such armor (unlike armadillos, whose armor is a leathery hide).
There are eight species of pangolins, four native to Asia and four to Africa, with their conservation status ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered. Historically, pangolins have been hunted in Asia for their scales and sometimes for their meat. Recently, hunting pressures have increased in Africa as well. As a result, two species are now classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
3. Aye-Aye
With a scientific name like Daubentonia madagascariensis, it’s no surprise that this unusual lemur is better known as the aye-aye. Native to Madagascar, it primarily lives in the rainforests along the country's eastern coast. The aye-aye has an exceptionally long, bony third finger, which it uses to reach into trees in search of insect larvae to consume. By listening for movement beneath the bark, it extracts the grubs using its sharp teeth and its distinctive finger.
This nocturnal creature, with its large eyes, eerie look, and strange middle finger, is a truly unique and distinctive animal. While the primary threats to its survival include habitat destruction and being killed as a crop pest, there’s an even more unusual reason for its decline: its bizarre appearance has led local communities to view the aye-aye as a bad omen, resulting in it being killed on sight.
2. Tree Kangaroo
While they aren’t as famous as their terrestrial cousins, tree kangaroos are closely related to kangaroos and wallabies. Though 13 species of tree kangaroo are known, many are extremely rare, and populations across the board are shrinking. Found in the lowland and mountainous rainforests of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Northern Australia, they thrive on leaves and fruits from their tree-dwelling habitats. The main threats to their survival are hunting for meat and, more importantly, habitat destruction due to deforestation.
Tree kangaroo sightings in the wild have always been rare, but as their natural habitats continue to shrink, such encounters are becoming even less frequent. The loss of tree cover further exacerbates the problem, leaving these slow-moving creatures vulnerable to ground-based threats they wouldn't normally face, such as dogs or even being struck by vehicles on newly constructed roads.
1. Tooth-Billed Pigeon
The critically endangered tooth-billed pigeon of Samoa is notable for being the closest living relative of one of the most famous extinct creatures in history. Often called “The Little Dodo,” this bird is locally known as the manumea and is a symbol of Samoa, even appearing on the country’s 20-tala currency note. As the only living relative of the extinct Dodo, the tooth-billed pigeon holds a special place in both natural history and Samoan culture.
Although hunting the tooth-billed pigeon is prohibited throughout Samoa, its population continues to dwindle, primarily due to deforestation linked to agricultural practices and the destruction of canopy cover caused by cyclones. Invasive species, like rats and domestic cats, also significantly contribute to the decline, particularly affecting the survival of young nestlings. However, there is a glimmer of hope: in 2014, a juvenile pigeon of breeding age was spotted and photographed for the first time in a decade, raising optimism for the possibility of a future breeding population.
