30 Extraordinary Endangered Animals That Could Disappear

These endangered animals may soon disappear forever, but here's how to learn about them now.

It’s staggering to think that an entire species we take for granted today can disappear in our lifetime. Yet early in 2018, the last male northern white rhinoceros died in Kenya, leaving behind only his daughter and granddaughter.

While conservationists are working to use artificial insemination to reproduce the species — as of 2023, a total of 14 northern white rhino embryos have been created.

Even as the growing human population, poaching, infectious diseases and other forces put animals at risk, there is hope as conservation programs and even eco-tourism help teach people about animals on the brink of extinction and the efforts to save them.

Here are some of the most amazing endangered or critically endangered animals you can learn about and even help save — from a wild dog in Africa to a massive shark roaming our seas.

30. Green Turtle

This green turtle is looking to the camera, followed by some silver fish. LFPuntel / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas

Threats: Bycatch, overharvesting of eggs, poaching, habitat loss, disruption of nesting sites

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: Several million, but still at risk

* All data is current through May 2023.

Bottom Line: Green Turtle

cinoby / Getty Images

The green turtle is one of the most iconic sea animals of all time, as it’s one of the largest sea turtles you can find when swimming or snorkeling. While several million still exist, the green turtle’s population is on the decline and considered endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species — the go-to source for this kind of data.

They eat only plants and migrate annually between their hatching grounds and feeding grounds. Unfortunately, human interference has made it risky to be a green turtle. There are fewer uninhabited beaches for them to lay their eggs on, and people have overharvested their eggs as well. Adult sea turtles are prone to getting trapped in fishing nets, and people still illegally hunt them for their meat and shells.

29. Southern Bluefin Tuna

Rare animals: lying fishes running away from tuna fish

Flying fishes run away from this giant tuna fish. bbevren / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Thunnus maccoyii

Threats: Illegal fishing and overfishing

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: >1 million, but increasing

Bottom Line: Southern Bluefin Tuna

DeepAqua / Getty Images

Bluefins are the biggest and fastest tuna fish, and they’ve been known to live into their 30s and beyond. They’re capable of diving to incredible depths, and their bodies are so streamlined that they’re one of the fastest fish at sea.

They’re impressive predators from birth, feasting on other sizable fish and occasionally even eels. Unlike some sea creatures, their vision is exceptionally sharp, which helps them hunt down their prey with nearly unmatched precision.

Bluefin tuna may be one of the most athletic fish species around, they’re not any less susceptible to the effects of overfishing. Atlantic, Southern and Pacific bluefin populations have all been impacted by the high demand for fish by the sushi industry. Fortunately, they seem to be slowly on the rebound thanks to conservation efforts.

28. Chimpanzee

Chimpanzees are similar to humans, but unlike us, they could soon be extinct. GarySandyWales / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Pan troglodytes

Threats: Poaching, human disease (including Ebola)

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: 150,00 to 250,000

Bottom Line: Chimpanzee

curioustiger / Getty Images

With their opposable thumbs, big toes, ability to walk on two legs, and capacity to communicate via facial expressions, chimpanzees are the closest animal relative to humans, sharing an astonishing 99 percent of the same genes. Unfortunately, chimpanzees also share a susceptibility to infectious diseases such as respiratory ailments and anthrax, which has led to entire populations being wiped out.

To see these human relatives in the wild, your best bet is a visit to Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda, which is home to 13 species of primates, including a population of approximately 1,450 chimpanzees. You can learn more about this endangered species on the two primate walks led by a qualified guide each day, giving visitors the chance to see chimpanzees and other rare animals. The two dry seasons, from November to February and June to September, are the best times to go.

27. Whale Shark

Head to Australia to dive with whale sharks — without disrupting or harming them. Getty Images

Scientific Name: Rhincodon typus

Threats: Illegal fishing, whale shark tourism, collisions with boats

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: 128,000 and 200,000

Bottom Line: Whale Shark

An underwater shot of divers looking at a whale shark

crisod / Getty Images

Mention the word “shark” and most people think blood, gore and “Jaws.” But while whale sharks do have huge, almost-5-feet-wide mouths, they pose no significant threat to humans and have more to fear from us than we do from them. Despite their size, whale sharks can get caught in fishing nets and die, and are often hunted for their meat (sold as food), fins (used in shark fin soup) and skin (used to make bags). The result? As of 2023, they are still classified as endangered.

According to the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF), which is working to conserve them, the sharks prefer the southern coasts of Mozambique, where the cooler waters are rich in their preferred diet of plankton. They’re also found off the coast of Western Australia.

26. Bornean Orangutan

The only thing better than seeing a Bornean orangutan in the wild? Seeing a Bornean orangutan with her baby. Freder / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Pongo pygmaeus

Threats: Poaching, deforestation, forest fires, conflict with humans

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Population: About 104,700

Bottom Line: Bornean Orangutan

USO / Getty Images

The Bornean orangutan is dark in color and has a broad face and short beard. Three different subspecies are known to live in different parts of the Asian island of Borneo, all of them in lowland forests.

Over the past 60 years, Bornean populations have declined by more than 50 percent, and nearly 150,000 of the rare animals have been lost in just the last 16 years, largely due to logging and hunting.

To see some of the remaining creatures, visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre in the small state of Sabah on the northern side of Borneo Island; it provides a highly accessible and easy way to view orangutans while supporting their conservation.

25. Leatherback Turtle

A baby sea leatherback turtle crawls into the ocean for the first time. jimmyvillalta / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Dermochelys coriacea

Threats: Accidental consumption of plastic, bycatch, habitat loss

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: <100,000

Bottom Line: Leatherback Turtle

irin717 / Getty Images

Unlike most turtles, leatherback turtles have a softer shell that feels similar to the leathery interior of a car. (Only much damper.) They’re the largest species of sea turtle, and they’re known for traveling thousands of miles across both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans during their seasonal migrations.

Their nesting locations can be found in tropical regions throughout the world. Unfortunately, they’re prone to being accidentally caught in fishing nets, and their eggs have been collected extensively. They’ve been listed by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ) as endangered since 1970.

24. Fin Whale

A fin whale is spotted off the California coast. JG1153 / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Balaenoptera physalus

Threats: Commercial whaling, climate change, habitat loss

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: Between 50,000-90,000

Bottom Line: Fin Whale

Silfox / Getty Images

The blue whale gets all the attention in the whale world because it’s the biggest. The fin whale, however, is nearly as large and just as fascinating. The fin whale is the second largest mammal in the entire world. They’re easy to spot because half their lower jaw is solid white and the other half is solid black. Biologists aren’t positive why this is, but some believe the white side of the fin whale’s face is used to frighten schools of fish, rounding them up into smaller areas where they’re easier to eat.

They have baleen, not teeth, so they filter fish out of the water and swallow them whole rather than hunting them down. Despite being gentle creatures, they’re at the top of the ocean food chain and play a dramatic role in the homeostasis of the marine environment. If whales didn’t exist, all other marine life would be affected.

The fin whale, unfortunately, is still being hunted commercially in some countries, particularly Iceland. Their meat typically ends up in Japanese fish markets. They are rarely seen outside of the North Atlantic, and their numbers are unlikely to rise until whaling is outlawed internationally.

23. Bonobo

Rare animals: Bonobos in natural habitat

Wild bonobos live in the forested areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. USO / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Pan paniscus

Threats: Civil unrest, poaching, deforestation

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: 10,000-50,000 and declining

Bottom Line: Bonobo

Portrait of an Adult Bonobo (Pan paniscus, Pygmy Chimpanzee)

guenterguni / Getty Images

The endangered bonobo is one of our closest living relatives. Like chimpanzees, bonobos share 98.7 percent of their DNA with people. As similar as they are to chimps genetically, they’re actually quite different from most of their primate cousins. Bonobos are smaller and darker in color than chimps, and their groups are usually led by females instead of males. Their societies are built on tight-knit, long-term relationships, and their groups are mostly peaceful. They do, however, fight when they run into a rival group of bonobos.

Wild bonobos live in the forested areas south of the Congo River in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The civil unrest in the region has contributed to the species’ decline. Widespread poverty has led desperate locals to resort to poaching to put food on the table. Even if the political conditions improve, biologists estimate that it may take more than half a century before the bonobo population’s decline to cease. They simply don’t reproduce fast enough to make up for the numerous threats they face.

22. Blue Whale

You won’t soon forget seeing the largest animal in the world. eco2drew / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Balaenoptera musculus

Threats: Climate change, pollution, prey scarcity, ship strikes

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: 10,000-25,000

Bottom Line: Blue Whale

Top view of a blue whale on the surface of the sea

Wirestock / Getty Images

The blue whale is the largest animal on the planet. It can weigh as much as 200 tons, needs to eat nearly 4 tons of krill each day and boasts a call that reaches 188 decibels — louder than a jet engine.

Until the second half of the 20th century, these whales were hunted nearly to extinction by the Norwegians, Japanese and Russians. By around 2011, numbers worldwide were believed to be around 10,000 to 25,000, an approximately 90 percent reduction compared to 1911.

Since the commercial whaling ban in 1966, threats to these massive creatures have decreased. But they are still endangered due to environmental change and because they can be hit by ships and become caught in large-scale fishing equipment. Today, various subspecies of blue whales are found in parts of the Antarctic, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans.

21. Hawksbill Sea Turtle

The amazing Hawksbill is under threat due to demand for its shell. RainervonBrandis / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Eretmochelys imbricata

Threats: Poaching, bycatch, coastal development, habitat loss, pollution

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Population: About 8,000

Bottom Line: Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Ludovic Debono / Getty Images

Hawksbill turtles are generally found in tropical waters in coral reefs, where they use their pointed beaks to eat sponges living in crevices, a process that contributes to the health of the reef.

Unfortunately, these animals are at risk due to their distinctly patterned shell, which can be used to make earrings, hair combs and necklaces. Even though the commercial trade of tortoiseshell was banned in 1973, products made from Hawksbill turtle shells are still being sold openly throughout Central America, the Caribbean and Asia.

Visitors can help save this endangered species by making conscious decisions about what souvenirs they purchase and informed choices when it comes to taking a tour to see hatchlings on the beach. It’s possible to see Hawksbill turtles in Costa Rica’s Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge on treks led by accredited local guides.

20. Galapagos Sea Lion

This Galapagos sea lion stands on the rocks with her pups. slowmotiongli / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Otariinae

Threats: Prey scarcity, bycatch, human-spread disease

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: 9,200-10,600

Bottom Line: Galapagos Sea Lion

Two Galapagos Sea Lions Frolic Together Underwater

PeskyMonkey / Getty Images

While the Galapagos sea lion is still the most common mammal in the Galapagos, human life has significantly reduced their natural populations. These sea lions spend lots of time sunning on the sandy shores of the islands, hopping into the water when they need to cool off.

Unfortunately, it’s hard for them to do this without coming into contact with people and their pets. They’re vulnerable to diseases carried by dogs. They also run into trouble with fishermen who attempt to keep them away from boats by erecting barbed wire barriers around their decks, causing serious injury to any seal lions who try to hop on board.

19. Red Panda

The red panda is undoubtedly cute. To see it, book a special tour in the Himalayas. bbossom / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Ailurus fulgens

Threats: Poaching and accidental trapping

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: <10,000

Bottom Line: Red Panda

Beautiful Red Panda sitting on a tree branch. Very soft fur and tail. vyasphoto / Getty Images

The red panda is slightly bigger than a pet cat, with a bear-like body and thick russet-colored fur except on its belly and legs. It mainly stays in trees, using its long, bushy tail for balance and to warm itself in the winter.

Populations of the panda are found in Nepal, China, Myanmar, India and Bhutan — but due to habitat destruction, disease and poaching, the red panda is now endangered in the wild.

Luckily, steps are being taken to raise awareness about this unique mammal. The Red Panda Network runs conservation programs and tours to Nepal that include trekking through the Himalayas, meeting with the locals and seeing red pandas in their natural setting.

18. Snow Leopard

This snow leopard poses in a winter storm. abzerit / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Panthera uncia

Threats: Habitat fragmentation from human development, conflict with humans, climate change

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: <6,500

Bottom Line: Snow Leopard

slowmotiongli / Getty Images

The stunningly beautiful snow leopard is native to the mountain ranges of central and southern Asia, with their range extending through large parts of the western Himalayas. The snow leopard’s thick, white fur isn’t just for show. In fact, almost every element of the snow leopard’s physique is adapted to life in the bitter cold.

Their small ears reduce heat loss, and its large paws are covered in fur to improve traction on slippery, unstable turf. They have a long, heavy tail to help them balance. Endearingly, its also furry enough to be used as a blanket, shielding the cat’s face while it rests. Sadly, the snow leopard’s numbers are expected to decline as much as 10 percent by 2040.

17. Sri Lankan Elephant

The Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife is dedicated to saving these magnificent elephants from extinction. cinoby / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Elephas maximus maximus

Threats: Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and human settlements, conflict with humans due to interference with crops

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: Around 7,000 and rising

Bottom Line: Sri Lankan Elephant

Rike_ / Getty Images/

Sri Lankan elephants are now protected under Sri Lankan law so much so that killing one could result in the death penalty. That’s because this prized elephant population has fallen almost 65 percent since the early 1900s.

Fortunately, the Sri Lankan Department of Wildlife is also working hard to protect these massive creatures. Their population has actually rebounded in the wild thanks to the creation of dedicated elephant corridors that help them travel safely without running into poachers or other human threats. Experts have also introduced deterrents such as flashes and noise to re-route them, and established new national parks, including Udawalawe, Wilpattu and Minneriya. Each offers a jeep safari that allows visitors to view these magnificent animals in a way that ensures they aren’t disrupted, exploited or distressed.

16. Eastern Lowland Gorilla

Don’t worry: This fierce-looking gorilla won’t hurt you. guenterguni / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Gorilla beringei graueri

Threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation (habitats being broken up into smaller areas,) illegal mining, poaching

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Population: >3,800 (according to a 2016 report)

Bottom Line: Eastern Lowland Gorilla

Gorilla baby riding on back of mother, wildlife shot, Congo

guenterguni / Getty Images

Eastern lowland gorillas look intimidating, but in fact, these gentle giants are harmless omnivores. Currently, these gorillas live in well-organized social groups in lowland rainforests in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo — but due to years of civil war and poaching, their numbers have dwindled. Violence in the region means no accurate population figures are available, but scientists estimate it to be less than 3,800 gorillas.

Poaching has continued to have a negative impact even in Kahuzi Biega National Park, home to the largest population of protected eastern lowland gorillas in the world. Luckily, several NGOs are working to stop the poaching, and guests at the park enjoy a safe and educational experience.

Visitors can even see eastern lowland gorillas on treks recommended by the park authorities. It’s best to schedule visits during the dry season running from September to May.

15. Bengal Tiger

Head to India to see the beloved Bengal tiger. guenterguni / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Panthera tigris tigris

Threats: Habitat loss, poaching

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: 4,500

Bottom Line: Bengal Tiger

Zocha_K / Getty Images

Efforts have been underway for a long time to protect the extraordinary Bengal tiger from extinction. India, which has more of these tigers than any other country, started creating tiger reserves in the 1970s and introduced an international ban on the tiger trade in 1993.

Nonetheless, the species’ survival is at risk. Tiger-skin rugs are increasingly popular in interior design, and in China, Bengal tiger bones are used in a wine believed to provide strength and vigor. As a result, illegal poaching is common — and the tigers are seeing their habitats shrink, too. The striped species’s numbers have slowly climbed in India, by as much as 40% from 2015-2022.

Many of India’s well-managed parks combine conservation initiatives with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to see the animal up close. For the ultimate experience, book the “Royal Bengal Tiger Tour.” Over the course of 11 nights and 12 days, travel through Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park to see the tigers in action. Overnight stays are also included.

The Bengal tiger can additionally be found in smaller numbers in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Myanmar.

14. Black Rhino

The black rhino is a smaller species of rhinoceros. Kristian Schmidt / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Diceros bicornis

Threats: Poaching is the main threat, but habitat loss also plays a role

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Population: 6,195

Bottom Line: Black Rhino

WLDavies / Getty Images

Northern white rhinos are already bracing for extinction, and several other species of rhinos are critically endangered. Black rhinos, a smaller rhino species, have hooked upper lips that allow them to tear leaves off trees and other vegetation. They have two horns, occasionally accompanied by a third that makes them look similar to a miniature triceratops. They can weigh up to 3,000 pounds, and these large herbivores can be aggressive when confronted.

In spite of their tough appearance and intimidating size, black rhinos are no match for rough human hands. The population of black rhinos began to shrink during the early 20th century after European settlers began hunting them. By 1995, their population had dropped by 98 percent, leaving only a few thousand left. While conservation efforts have helped raise their numbers slightly, black rhinos are still considered critically endangered.

13. Galapagos Penguin

The Galapagos penguin is among the smallest species of penguin. LMPphotography / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Spheniscus mendiculus

Threats: Bycatch, pollution, climate change, non-native disease

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: 3,000-8,000

Bottom Line: Galapagos Penguin

jmmf / Getty Images

The Galapagos penguin is the only species of penguin found north of the equator. It lives in the islands of Ecuador, relying on currents of cool water to thrive in tropical latitudes. It’s among the smallest species of penguin, and it has unique adaptations to help it stay cool in warm environments.

The Galapagos penguin builds its nest in caves to protect its nest from predators. They breed year-round and can live up to 20 years. Unfortunately, their lifespan in the wild is often much shorter. They’re vulnerable to numerous predators and environmental pollution, and climate change is taking a toll, too.

While they’re adapted to warmer temperatures more than most penguins, heat waves can reduce their reproduction rate and cause mass die-offs of the fish they eat. They’re also prone to getting caught in fishing nets, where they can easily drown if not quickly freed.

12. African Wild Dog

The largest gathering of African Wild Dogs can be found at a game reserve in Tanzania. Tomasz Dutkiewicz / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Lycaon pictus

Threats: Accidental and purposeful killings by humans, viral diseases, habitat loss, competition with larger predators

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: 1,409

Bottom Line: African Wild Dog

pjmalsbury / Getty Images

Highly social and opportunistic predators, African Wild Dogs can reach speeds of more than 44 miles an hour in a sprint and travel in packs of as many as 40.

Today, they are among the most endangered mammals in the world, the result of humans encroaching on their habitat and spreading viral diseases. The ones that remain are found mostly in Southern and East Africa, especially Tanzania and northern Mozambique.

If you want to learn more about them and see them up close, you can visit the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, which boasts the largest wild dog population in Africa and runs regular safari tours during the June to October high season. The reserve also includes several tented camps and lodges to stay in.

11. Mountain Gorilla

Two national parks in Uganda promise sightings of the rare mountain gorilla. erwinf / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Gorilla beringei beringei

Threats: Deforestation, habitat loss due to the illegal production of charcoal, human diseases, poaching

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: About 1,000

Bottom Line: Mountain Gorilla

WLDavies / Getty Images

Under threat from wars, disease, hunting and habitat destruction, and unable to breed in captivity, mountain gorillas are dwindling in population — at present, there are fewer than 1,000 in the world. Well known through the work of primatologist Dian Fossey, who studied them for 20 years, these amazing animals live in high altitude forests and have thick fur that allows them to survive sub-zero temperatures.

Approximately half of the world’s mountain gorillas live in the Virunga Mountains bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda; the rest are in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, where conservationists are hard at work to bring their numbers back up. Funds from tourist treks go towards employing trackers and vets, and to educating local tribes on conservation.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, also in Uganda, additionally offers the chance to learn about, track and see mountain gorillas in their natural environment.

10. Saola

Saolas look similar to antelopes, but they’re actually a cousin of the cow. World Wildlife

Scientific Name: Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

Threats: Habitat loss, hunting

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Population: >750 and declining

Bottom Line: Saola

Save the Saola

The saola was first found in May 1992 by the Ministry of Forestry in Vietnam. It turned out to be the first sizable mammal discovered in over 50 years. It has two, parallel horns that are incredibly sharp and reach nearly two feet in length.

Saolas look similar to antelopes, but they’re actually a cousin of the cow. They can only be found in the Annamite Mountains in Laos and Vietnam, so they were rare to begin with, but the industrialization of the area is also shrinking their natural habitat and making them easy prey for hunters.

Their horns are in high demand by the traditional medicine trade in China, leading poor locals to resort to joining the illegal wildlife trade ring. Some are also caught by wild boar traps by mistake.

9. Sumatran Tiger

Hunting tigers is illegal in Indonesia, but that hasn’t stopped the practice. dptro / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Panthera tigris sumatrae

Threats: Poaching, human-wildlife conflict

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Population: About 400

Bottom Line: Sumatran Tiger

SUMATRAN TIGER panthera tigris sumatrae, FEMALE WITH CUB LAYING DOWN ON GRASS

slowmotiongli / Getty Images

In Indonesia, hunting tigers is illegal, with punishments including jail time and hefty fines. However, the appeal and value of tiger parts and products in Asia outweigh the penalties, so the black market continues to flourish. Poaching remains the greatest threat to their numbers.

The Sumatran tiger is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra off the Malaysian Peninsula. This is the smallest surviving tiger subspecies, and its distinctive black and orange coat is much sought after by poachers. As a result, only about 400 Sumatran tigers are left, down from an estimated population of 1,000 in 1978.

The majority of the remaining Sumatran tigers live in national parks, but around 100 are thought to live in unprotected areas threatened by agricultural development. If you’re lucky, you can still see one of these beautiful animals in the wild by taking a tour through Gunung Leuser National Park or Kerinci Seblat National Park.

8. Black-Footed Ferret

Thought to be extinct in the 1980s, the wild black-footed ferret is still endangered. kahj19 / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Mustela nigripes

Threats: Habitat loss, non-native disease

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: About 300 individuals in the wild

Bottom Line: Black-Footed Ferret

sekernas / Getty Images

You’ve probably seen ferrets kept as pets before, but there are also still ferrets living in the wild. The black-footed ferret is the only ferret native to North America. It’s a type of polecat that preys on prairie dogs, but dwindling prairie dog populations paired with widespread diseases has put them at risk of extinction.

The black-footed ferret was actually declared extinct in the wild in the 1980s, but another wild population was discovered in Meeteetse, Wyoming. From there, a captive breeding program was launched to help the species recover. Nevertheless, multiple reintroduction sites and protection from the disease will likely be needed to foster long-term recovery.

Fun fact: In December, 2020, a clone of a black-footed ferret was produced. Her name is Elizabeth Ann, and she was the first successful clone of an endangered species to ever be born.

7. North Atlantic Right Whale

Foto4440 / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Eubalaena glacialis

Threats: Bycatch, ship collisions, human interference with birthing grounds

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: 300-350

Bottom Line: North Atlantic Right Whale

Craig Dearle / Getty Images

The North Atlantic right whale is easy to spot. It has large white spots on its head that stand out against its otherwise dark skin. It’s a baleen whale, so it gently feasts on swarms of plankton rather than hunting fish.

If you’re lucky, you might spot one along the coast during the breeding season. Sightings are becoming increasingly rare, however, as the whaling industry has obliterated their populations. The whale’s name itself is a shoutout to its ominous encounters with whaling ships. Early whalers named them right whales because they were the “right” whales to hunt.

They are slow to reproduce and reach maturity, so any ongoing threats to their environment or life cycle can put their future survival at risk.

6. Irrawaddy Dolphin

Irrawaddy dolphin swimming in the ocean.

Irrawaddy dolphins look happy swimming in the ocean. isuaneye / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Orcaella brevirostris

Threats: Bycatch

Conservation Status: Endangered

Population: About 92

Bottom Line: Irrawaddy Dolphin

Cute Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is floating in the water and jumping to dancing on the board in the dolphin shows.

Kwhisky / Getty Images

The Irrawaddy dolphin has a unique, birdlike appearance, with a wide, rounded forehead and a beaklike mouth. It has a cool, blue-gray color similar to that of the Australian snubfin dolphin, and the two species weren’t independently recognized until 2005.

Many species of dolphin live in the sea, but Irrawaddy dolphins also reside in three different rivers: the Ayeyarwady, Mahakam and Mekong. Native populations of Irrawaddy dolphins have been declining steadily, particularly in the Mekong region.

They’re slow swimmers, and they shy away from locations that are heavily trafficked by large, noisy watercraft. For this reason, they’re more significantly impacted by human development and conflict than some other aquatic species. Fortunately, the Cambodian government put a 10-year moratorium on the building of dams in the region to help the Irrawaddy dolphin population to recover.

5. Amur Leopard

The Russian government has taken steps to ensure the survival of this gorgeous leopard. NEALITPMCCLIMON / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Panthera pardus orientalis

Threats: Poaching, prey scarcity

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Population: About 84

Bottom Line: Amur Leopard

Kevin Richards / Getty Images

Like other leopards, the Amur is fast, reaching speeds of up to 37 miles an hour. It can also jump incredibly high, leaping more than 19 feet horizontally and up to 10 feet vertically.

These solitary animals live in the largely inaccessible Russian Far East, but their beautiful spotted fur makes them a target for poachers. Combine this with the fact that they only live for 10 to 15 years, and the risk that they will soon become extinct is high.

Fortunately, in 2012, the Russian government opened Land of the Leopard National Park, an area of nearly 650,000 protected acres encompassing about 60 percent of the species’ remaining habitat. It’s hoped the move will save the 100 or so critically endangered Amur leopards still known to be alive. The park can arrange for safaris and includes a hotel and educational museum.

4. Javan Rhino

This unique rhino is now listed as critically endangered. ImagineImages / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Rhinoceros sondaicus

Threats: Limited genetic diversity, natural disasters, the spread of the invasive arenga palm, disease, habitat loss

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Population: About 76

Bottom Line: Javan Rhino

Tobias Nowlan / Getty Images

At last count, around 76 Javan rhinos were known to still be alive in the wild, the result of hunters killing them for their horns. Now critically endangered, conservation efforts are focused on reintroducing the Javan rhino to areas they used to inhabit.

The remaining rhinos can be found in Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia. The park consists of a group of islands, each offering a range of activities such as surfing, snorkeling and trekking. Sightings of the Javan rhino are incredibly rare, even for scientists, but tourists can try their luck on a canoe tour along the Cigentur River on Handeleum Island.

3. Vaquita

The vaquita is considered the smallest of all cetaceans. ecocases / Instagram

Scientific Name: Phocoena sinus

Threats: Poaching, fishing bycatch

Conservation Status: Critically endangered

Population: About 18

Bottom Line: Vaquita

World Wildlife

That vaquita looks a lot like a dolphin, only smaller. It’s a type of porpoise native to a small region in the Gulf of California. At its largest, a vaquita reaches 5 feet in length and rarely tops 100 pounds.

Since the vaquita lives in the waters of Mexico, the etymology of its name is actually Spanish for “little cow.” It’s the most petite of all cetaceans, the group of sea animals that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises, currently in existence.

Sadly, the pint-sized vaquita is nearly extinct.

2. Panamanian Golden Frog

The Panamanian golden frog is listed as critically endangered. Brian Gratwicke / Wikipedia

Scientific Name: Atelopus zeteki

Threats: Deadly amphibian chytrid fungus, habitat loss, pollution

Conservation Status: Critically endangered, possibly extinct in the wild

Population: Unknown (but the IUCN list estimates between 0 and 49 could be left in the wild)

Bottom Line: Panamanian Golden Frog

KAT / Getty Images

The Panamanian golden frog isn’t actually a frog at all. In fact, its more technical name is the cerro campana stubfoot toad, and it lives only on the slopes of the Cordilleran cloud forests in Panama. Their skin contains several toxins to protect them from predators. While tests on humans haven’t been done for obvious reasons, their poisonous secretions can be fatal to mice in less than half an hour. In smaller doses, they can cause severe seizures and respiratory distress.

The unusual, strikingly colored Panamanian golden frog is listed as critically endangered, but it hasn’t actually been seen in the wild since 2007. Some specimens were collected prior to that to preserve the species in captivity.

1. Spix’s Macaw

The beautiful Spix’s macaw has become extremely rare in the past 100 years.. Zenobillis / Getty Images

Scientific Name: Cyanopsitta spixii

Threats: Deforestation, human development, habitat fragmentation, hunting

Conservation Status: Extinct in the wild

Population: None in the wild, less than 60 in captivity

Bottom Line: Spix’s Macaw

Spixs Macaw

Spix’s macaw might look familiar thanks to the animated film “Rio.” It’s a true parrot native to Brazil, and it was discovered all the way back in 1638. At the time, the medium-sized bird was fairly common. Over the past century, however, the beautiful Spix’s macaw has become extremely rare. It’s considered extinct in the wild, with no known specimens living outside of captivity.

Recently, though, 52 Spix’s macaws were returned to Brazil in hopes of later reintroducing them to the wild. The program is controversial due to the shady origins of its funding, but scientists remain hopeful.