Unusual Endangered Animals

There are more than 5,000 endangered animals on the World Wild Life Organizations's endangered species list. Some of these animals are popular and protected by people trying to save the species, but others aren't.

  1. Hawiian Monk Seal

    • The Hawaiian monk seal exists on only a few Hawaiian islands. They are a beautiful species that have been killed off by commercial hunting of seals for their valuable pelts. There are only about 1,000 of these seals in existence.

    Pygmy Rabbit

    • Known as the smallest rabbit in the world, the pygmy rabbit population has been reduced to one specific group of rabbits in the state of Washington. The species is on the endangered animal list because it is a source of food for so many other animals that live in the same habitat. The exact number of pygmy rabbits in existence is unknown, but is considered to be very small.

    Margay

    • The margay is a small cat with brown-spotted skin. It is native to both Central and South America, as well as Mexico. The species is endangered because of the value of its skin. The margay population is mostly threatened by hunters and deforestation.

    Wood Bison

    • The wood bison is a related to the buffalo species and exists only in Canada. These giant animals, which can grow to about 6 feet tall and 12 feet long, were once hunted down to a population of 250. The wood bison population has since recovered to a population of about 9,000.

    Banded Hare Wallaby

    • The banded hare wallaby exists only on the islands of Dorre and Bernier in Western Australia, Dorre and Bernier islands. Similar to the rabbit-like hare, the wallaby is a fast and agile animal. Despite this, the population is decreasing because of a loss of vegetation and increase in foreign predators.