Species Most At Risk See Numbers Falling

Less than 720 Mountain Gorillas remain

In a recent report released by the Daily Telegraph and the WWF, the species most at risk for extinction are not getting much help lately and we could see these animals disappear from our planet forever. These animals are common to all of us, and many are symbols of the country that they reside in. To lose them would be to lose a piece of our planet’s soul.

The animals listed are:

• The Tiger: Currently, there are just over 3,000 tigers left in the entire world. In the last ten years alone, the tiger has seen its habitat fall by an astounding 40 percent, to seven percent of what the species historically inhabited. Poaching and the deforestation of its habitat are the prime reasons for the loss of the tiger.
• The Polar Bear: If you live in Canada, you know about the polar bear and you know that it is becoming the poster child of global warming. Polar bear numbers have fallen drastically recently and most estimates have the species extinct by 2050.
• Leatherback Turtle: The turtle has been alive for 100,000,000 years, which means it has existed since the time o the Dinosaurs. It has survived an asteroid impact and other disasters, but it may not survive the Age of Man. Currently, there are only 2,300 of the species left, making it the most endangered marine turtle. The biggest cause of the demise of this turtle is fishing and  getting caught in the nets meant for other marine species.
• Mountain Gorilla: Few species look as noble as the Mountain Gorilla, but this amazing species has seen a sharp decline due to poaching and habitat loss. Currently, only 720 survive in the wild in fragmented groups.
• Javan Rhinoceros: No matter what we do, there is a good chance this mammal will go extinct because of poaching for its horn. currently, the species numbers less than 60, and drastic action is needed to save it.