Extinct Animals:
- Dodo (Raphus cucullatus): Native to Mauritius, the dodo was a large, flightless bird. It was hunted to extinction by humans and introduced predators in the 17th century.
- Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis): This flightless bird was found in the North Atlantic Ocean. It was hunted for its meat, feathers, and eggs, leading to its extinction in the mid-19th century.
- Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius): Once abundant in North America, the passenger pigeon was a nomadic species known for its massive flocks. Uncontrolled hunting and habitat loss resulted in its extinction in 1914.
- Barbary Lion (Panthera leo leo): A subspecies of lion native to North Africa, the Barbary lion was distinguished by its dark mane. It was hunted and lost its habitat, leading to its extinction in the wild by the mid-20th century.
Critically Endangered Animals (at risk of extinction):
- Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis): Found in the Russian Far East and China, the Amur leopard is the most critically endangered big cat species. Poaching and habitat destruction pose significant threats to its survival.
- Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis): Critically endangered, the Sumatran rhino is native to Southeast Asia. Poaching and habitat loss are the main reasons behind its dwindling numbers.
- Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei): Found in the Virunga Mountains of Central Africa, the mountain gorilla is a critically endangered subspecies of gorilla. Habitat loss, poaching, and human conflict pose severe threats to its existence.
- Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus): The Javan rhino is native to Indonesia. Poaching and habitat loss have pushed this species to the brink of extinction. It is estimated that only around 67 individuals remain in the wild.
- Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis): Four subspecies of black rhinos are critically endangered, facing threats from poaching and habitat loss. Black rhinos are found in eastern and southern Africa.
- Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer): The baiji, a freshwater dolphin, was found in the Yangtze River of China. It was declared functionally extinct in 2006 due to habitat destruction, overfishing, and pollution.
These are just a few examples of animals that have gone extinct or are at high risk of extinction. Conservation efforts, habitat protection, and addressing human-wildlife conflicts are crucial to preventing further species loss and preserving biodiversity for future generations.