Our planet is slowly being run over by humans, and there are many animal species that have disappeared because of the damage we have done to them and to their habitat. We can still try and make things better, to rethink and change the way we see things, helping the environment and living things that inhabit the earth.
This is a list of very rare animals that you might have never heard of or seen in your life, that are at risk of dissapearing from earth, for good. The first step to resolve a problem is to acknowledge it, so check them out!
The crested gibbon
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These adorable animals live in China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other southeast asian countries. They are small, white as babies and then grow up to have a black crest. Deforestation and the destruction of wooded areas in Southeast Asia has endangered them.
African Penguin
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The only African penguin has observed a tremendous decline of its population throughout the 20th century. Today there are many conservation programs, but it continues to be in severe danger.
Tree Kangaroo
Flickr.
These marsupials inhabit the rainforests of New Guinea and Queensland, and as the name suggests, are members of the family of kangaroos that live in trees. Hunting and deforestation have reduced the number of these wonderful creatures to 1%.
The Amur Leopard
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It's the rarest species of leopard that exists and only about thirty of them are conserved, despite its cuteness (it's a big cat, we fell in love with from the first time we saw it). It lives in a far off corner of Siberia, in between Russia and China.
Axolotl
Flickr.
Also known as the Mexican salamander, these odd little amphibians are found in many Central American lakes, including Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City. Since 2010, the strange creatures have been in critical danger and a study in 2013 could not be locate any in the wild. Let's hope they are still out there.
Red Pandas
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This cute animal, closer to a fox than abear but panda-like anyways, is a gift from nature to humans. It's usual to find pictures of them making faces and videos displaying a whole arsenal of sillyness. This adorable mammal is red, has a rogue face and a racoon-like tail.
Black-footed ferret
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These adorable ferrets are quite similar to the domestic ferret, with the difference of their distinctive black feet. They were believed to have been extinct in the United States until the 1970s (dogs almost finished them). Now they are extremely protected and few are left.
Iberian lynx
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The Iberian lynx is bordeline extinct, which makes it the most threatened feline on earth. This adorable feline would be the first that if extinct, would disappear from the planet in a millennia.
Quokkas
Flickr.
It’s unfair such a beautiful and innocent animal disappears, something must be done. The Quokkas are a very friendly species of marsupial found in a small corner of southwestern Australia. Its kindness explains in part why they're in danger, sometimes it get close to dingos and foxes hoping to make friends.
The Hawaiian monk seal
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The rarest and nicest monk seal in the world. It lives in Hawaii, which explains why it's always lying on the paradisiacal beaches of the Pacific and always seems to travel the world in an eternal state of happiness. The monk seal could disappear and humanity should not forgive itself for it: It is a clear role model for how we should live our life!
Olm
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The olm lives in the caves of Central and South-Eastern Europe and is one of the few amphibians that is totally aquatic - It eats, sleeps and grows underwater. It lives all its life in complete darkness. The olm has never developed eyes and instead has incredible senses of hearing and smell. Water pollution has finished with it, and it's been on the endangered species list since 1982.
Langur chato Monkey
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These little monkeys look like "elves" and it's so sad see how it disappears. They are found in Asia, at a height of up to 13,000 feet, and they are primates with a short short nose that are very private and are rarely seen. They have become seriously endangered due to deforestation, and while they are very beautiful they are suffering.
Gharial
Flickr.
The world population of gharials (also known as gavial crocodiles) is thought to be under 235, most of which are in the Indian subcontinent. These 20-foot long beasts weigh 350 pounds and dominate all major river systems, as their long, thin jaws make them agile in hunting and fish consumption. Overfishing by humans has reduced the number of this animal to only 2%.
Okapi
Flickr.
Known as the "zebra giraffe," the Okapi has the legs of a zebra and the long neck of a giraffe. The animal rose to fame during the 1800s, when it was found by British explorers. However, no one returned home believing such a strange creature could be real. Today, it can only be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and there are only 10,000 to 20,000 left.
Irrawaddy Dolphins
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The Irrawaddy Dolphin is found in the coastal areas of South and Southeast Asia. These animals are known for their bulging forehead and short beak, giving them a much stranger look than other dolphins. Recent studies put their numbers at 77, citing overfishing as their main threat.
Slow Loris
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These adorable animals are small primates that live throughout Southeast Asia and are quite threatened because their habitat, tropical forests, is disappearing.
Dugongo
Flickr
The dugong is one of only four live species of sea cows and is found in the Pacific Ocean to the east coast of Africa. These majestic giants have long been hunted for their flesh and oil, leaving them in danger of extinction.
Slender loris
Flickr.
The elusive Slender Loris of the Horton Plains has been seen only four times since 1937 and completely disappeared from 1939 until 2002, raising fears that the primate had become extinct. Located in Sri Lanka, the animal's large eyes gives them excellent night vision, but it has also given birth to superstitions. Some communities believe that the animal's flesh can heal leprosy, and that parts of the body can be used to ward off curses and spells.
Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula
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Beautiful and charming with its colors, the Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula or Poecilotheria metallica is only found in a small Indian forest around 60 square miles. Collectors will pay up to $500 for these beautifully colored arthropods and this has led their population to fall significantly, placing them now in critical danger.
Markhor
Flickr.
The markhor seems to be taken from a fantasy book and it's easy to see why it's the national animal of Pakistan. Their high status and incredible style is surprising and for that it became a perfect target for trophy hunters. Now there are only about 2,500 remaining Markhors alive, which is a shame.
Coconut crab
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Coconut crabs are the largest arthropods in the world, weighing up to 9 kilos. As the name implies, these animals are known to climb trees to pick up coconuts and then crush them with their powerful claws. Considered a delicacy by some, these crustaceans are now endangered and protected in some areas, especially where they are hunted for food.
The pygmy hippopotamus
Eric Kilby
We had some doubts about it (as hippos are usualy a violent, territorial and aggressive animal), but that look has won us forever. We were not going to limit this list to furry bugs anyways, right? These adorable small hippos live in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ivory Coast.
Sea Otter
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Sea otters are one of the most adorable species of mammals on the planet... I mean, just look at them. It is essentially a teddy thrown to the sea that has come to life. However, despite their adorable looks, this species is quite endangered (hunted by their fur) and they live on horseback between Alaska and the Kamtchatka peninsula in the North Pacific.
Proboscis Monkey
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This strange monkey species, found only on the island of Borneo, is known for its huge belly and nose. These features gave it the nickname "Dutch monkey" after the Indonesians said Dutch settlers who came to the island had big guts just like these monkeys. The population of these monkeys has been reduced by 50% in the last 40 years as a result of deforestation.
Kakapo
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The kakapo is the heaviest parrot in the world and because of its weight problems, the only non-flying parrot. Originally from New Zealand, the European colonization of the island bought cats and these ended with them. These birds are critically endangered and only about 128 specimens remain on some islands, free of predators.
Saiga Antelope
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Saiga is a critically endangered antelope. It inhabits the Eurasian steppe, including Dzungaria and Mongolia. This incredible creature that looks alien, has a strange nose that is extremely flexible and helps it to filter the dust raised by the migrating herd. Hunting and loss of habitat means that there are only a few thousand of these strange animals left.
Red-headed vulture
Flickr.
A beautiful bird that inhabit the Everest, the Himalayas and other mountain regions of Europe and Asia. These vultures were almost eradicated in the last century as people were afraid they would attack lambs and children, and now the WWF estimates that there are only 10,000 left.
Hooded Seal
Flickr.
Hooded seals are found only in small areas of the North Atlantic and are heavily hunted. The seal is known for its unique nasal cavity located on the top of its head, which inflates and deflates while swimming. The bell also inflates when it feels threatened, attracts peers and symbolizes health and superior status. These huge animals can weigh up to 900 pounds and measure up to 8 feet.
We need to raise awareness
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We're still in time to help not only these animals, but all animals that are currently endangered. The delicate natural balance is being affected by us, as every day we destroy forests, burn plains, contaminate the oceans and fluvial sources, and are overall modifying the natural habitat of almost all species in the world.
Still it’s time to do something
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We hope to contribute in some way with this article. These are only some of the incredible animals that we might never see again until we make some serious changes. Together everything is possible, and indeed we can help.
