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, Père 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 hairy-nosed 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. 415-416). 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 Stellar’s 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 Père 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, for-profit, 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 Asia—many of which are endangered—as "poorly understood".[17] Although they commend the gradual replacement of wild-caught turtles with farm-raised turtles in the marketplace (the percentage of farm-raised 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 The endangered sea otter has a relatively large population

American bison skull heap. There were as few as Immature California condor 750 bison in 1890 from economic-driven overhunting.

Loggerhead sea turtle Santa Cruz long-toed salamander

An Asian arowana The Siberian tiger is a subspecies of tiger that is endangered

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.

That’s why, despite the photo at the left, we chose not to include the giant panda on our roster of the world’s 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 hasn’t 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 world’s rarest cat: Only 40 left in Russia’s Far East

3 Javan Rhinoceros No more than 60 of these swamp-dwelling Asian rhinos exist

4 Northern Sportive Lemur Here’s the scarcest of Madagascar’s fast-dwindling lemur species

5 Northern Right Whale Hunted to near extinction, 350 right whales still swim the Atlantic

6 The Saola—An 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 world’s largest turtle is dropping at an alarming rate

8 Siberian (or Amur) Tiger The world’s biggest cat weighs as much as 300 kilos (660 pounds)

9 Chinese Giant Salamander Humans are eating the world’s largest amphibian into extinction

10 The Little Dodo Bird Samoa’s 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 namesGreater Bamboo Lemur Fewer than 100 of these Critically Endangered animals remainMountain Gorilla Their habitat is shrinking, and fewer than 700 remainHawaiian Monk Seal Scientists don’t know why this seal’s population keeps decliningWestern 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 organization’s 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 didn’t pick any insects even though plenty of them are endangered and we didn’t 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 IUCN’s 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 man’s 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. It’s 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 in…the 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 merganser’s 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.

Spix’s Macaw

Often identified as a blue macaw, the Spix’s 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 world’s 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 world’s 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 world’s fish species and protect the coastlines of 109 countries. But approximately 75 percent of the world’s 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 racer’s 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 world’s 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 Malaysia’s 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: Malaysia’s 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 Malaysia’s wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

TigerRhinoElephantTurtlesOrang-utan