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World Wildlife Day and Endangered Species
World Wildlife Day is marked on March 3 to raise awareness for the planet's wild animals and plants.
World Wildlife Day was first introduced to our calendars by the United Nations in 2013. The theme for World Wildlife Day 2016 is "The future of wildlife is in our hands" which focuses on declining numbers of African and Asian elephants whose populations are dwindling due to a loss of habitat, overgrazing and illegal poaching. To mark this special day, teleSUR has compiled photos of some of the most endangered animals on the planet. We hope they can be saved before it is too late.
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The African Wild Ass, believed to be an ancestor of the domestic donkey, lives in the deserts in the Horn of Africa and other arid areas. Only about 570 individuals exist in the wild.
The African Wild Ass, believed to be an ancestor of the domestic donkey, lives in the deserts in the Horn of Africa and other arid areas. Only about 570 individuals exist in the wild. Photo:Tim Vicker / Wikimedia Commons
The Northern Bald Ibis is so critically endangered that the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon offered a reward of US$1,000 to the person who can return the only female bird who knows the migration routes to wintering grounds in Ethiopia and remains missing. Less than 10 are left in Syria with the faltering numbers blamed partly on the civil war which has engulfed the nation since March 2011.
The Northern Bald Ibis is so critically endangered that the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon offered a reward of US$1,000 to the person who can return the only female bird who knows the migration routes to wintering grounds in Ethiopia and remains missing. Less than 10 are left in Syria with the faltering numbers blamed partly on the civil war which has engulfed the nation since March 2011. Photo:Reuters
The Red Panda, native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Its wild population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals and the population continues to decline due to habitat loss, inbreeding depression and poaching.
The Red Panda, native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China, is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Its wild population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals and the population continues to decline due to habitat loss, inbreeding depression and poaching. Photo:Reuters
All species of tiger are endangered, with the biggest threats they face being habitat loss through deforestation and poaching as their skin and body parts can be used to make traditional medicine. Conservationists in China and Russia are attempting to improve Amur tiger populations however numbers are still steadily declining. The global population is estimated to be less than 4,000. 
All species of tiger are endangered, with the biggest threats they face being habitat loss through deforestation and poaching as their skin and body parts can be used to make traditional medicine. Conservationists in China and Russia are attempting to improve Amur tiger populations however numbers are still steadily declining. The global population is estimated to be less than 4,000.  Photo:Reuters
The pygmy hippopotamus, found in Liberia and Sierra Leone, may look like pint-sized version of the hippopotamus but its behavior is more akin to the water dwelling Tapir. Increased mining activity in their habitat and hunting are the primary reasons why there are only 3,000 left in the wild.
The pygmy hippopotamus, found in Liberia and Sierra Leone, may look like pint-sized version of the hippopotamus but its behavior is more akin to the water dwelling Tapir. Increased mining activity in their habitat and hunting are the primary reasons why there are only 3,000 left in the wild. Photo:Melbourne Zoo
African penguins, only found in the southern waters of Africa, are only 60 cm tall but should they become extinct they will leave a gaping hole in the ecosystem. The population is currently undergoing a rapid decline with only 55,000 left , according to data collated in 2010. Tourists who cause nest burrows to collapse and deter adults from breeding, commercial fisheries and oil spills are the main reasons this bird is endangered.
African penguins, only found in the southern waters of Africa, are only 60 cm tall but should they become extinct they will leave a gaping hole in the ecosystem. The population is currently undergoing a rapid decline with only 55,000 left , according to data collated in 2010. Tourists who cause nest burrows to collapse and deter adults from breeding, commercial fisheries and oil spills are the main reasons this bird is endangered. Photo:Wikimedia Commons
The Giant Panda, which bears no common ancestry to the Red Panda, is critically endangered. They are an animal synonymous with China and only one of the world's eight bear species with a vegetarian diet. Although they have a very low birth rate in the wild and captivity they are also threatened by continued habitat loss and geographical changes. There are only about 1,800 Giant Pandas left in the wild, according to Chinese government figures.
The Giant Panda, which bears no common ancestry to the Red Panda, is critically endangered. They are an animal synonymous with China and only one of the world's eight bear species with a vegetarian diet. Although they have a very low birth rate in the wild and captivity they are also threatened by continued habitat loss and geographical changes. There are only about 1,800 Giant Pandas left in the wild, according to Chinese government figures. Photo:Reuters
The common chimpanzee, humans closest ancestor, is classified as an endangered species with between 170,000 to 300,000 left in the forests and savannahs of West and Central Africa, its natural habitat. The biggest threat to their existence is poaching, deforestation and disease. There is only a 1.2 percent genetic difference between the chimpanzee and homo sapien.
The common chimpanzee, humans closest ancestor, is classified as an endangered species with between 170,000 to 300,000 left in the forests and savannahs of West and Central Africa, its natural habitat. The biggest threat to their existence is poaching, deforestation and disease. There is only a 1.2 percent genetic difference between the chimpanzee and homo sapien. Photo:Reuters
Published 3 March 2016
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