In the 20th century, scientists discovered more than 50 unknown animal species. However, over the same time, more than 100 others disappeared from the face of the Earth. This article lists rare animals that are under the threat of complete extinction.
- The possessions of the pandas, which occupied the whole of South Asia, were reduced to a few provinces. Due to hunting and climate change, panda numbers have plummeted.
- The snow leopard or irbis is the most beautiful cat that lived in the mountains of Central Asia. Snow leopards are rarely seen in the wild as they are secretive and cautious predators.
- Przewalski’s horses were the last wild horses on the endless plains of Asia. Mongolian tribes hunted these animals for their meat.
- Mountain gorillas live in thickets of tropical forests in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, southwest of Uganda and Rwanda. Despite their formidable appearance and impressive size, these are sociable and peaceful animals that need our protection.
- The Amur tiger is one of the rarest representatives of the world fauna, which is under the threat of complete extinction, like other animals listed in the Red Book. It lives in the south-east of Russia and is considered the northernmost and largest species of tigers.
- The blue macaw is no longer found in the wild in Brazil. In 2000, the last parrot of this species, which lived in the wild, disappeared. In the mid-90s, attempts were made to cross him with a female, but she died. The blue macaw disappeared for several reasons. Firstly, parrots are easy prey for poachers, as they fly along the same route. Secondly, the hollows suitable for nesting were occupied by African bees, and thirdly, people massively cut down trees.
- The Chinese river dolphin Baiji is an almost extinct aquatic mammal that was distributed in the central-eastern part of China. Dolphins have no natural enemies, but poaching, death under the propellers of river vessels, pollution of the Yangtze River, construction of dams and land drainage have caused enormous damage to the population of these animals.
- On Pinta Island, there was a unique population of Galapagos tortoises. It remains to be recognized that this species no longer exists. Maybe scientists can use cloning to pass on the genes of the last living turtle to their offspring. But now these giants can only be admired in the photo. The only surviving representative of this species is called Lonely George.
