The Most Endangered Species on Earth — And How to Help Them

What are the most endangered animals in the world? Surprisingly, conservationists can’t agree on a universal top 10 list. Why? Well, for starters, populations are constantly in flux. Secondly, researchers use various models that weigh contributing factors differently, such as decline rates and community fragmentation. The result is a list of endangered species instead of a definitive top-10 roster.

However, experts agree that animals listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List need help. So, to help spread the word about vulnerable species, we’ve handpicked 10 critically endangered animals on the brink of extinction to highlight. Let’s dive in!

Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis)

Saolas are one of the most endangered animals on the planet — and the most elusive. Affectionately dubbed “Asian unicorns,” saolas (pronounced “saw-las”) evaded human detection till 1992. To date, wildlife cameras have only captured three.

Because saolas are so scarce, researchers know precious little about these herbivores that live in the wet forests on the Laotian-Vietnamese border. Thanks to local sightings and a smattering of short scientific studies, we also know that saolas are crepuscular and typically travel alone or with a single partner. With their silky, short coats, saolas look a lot like antelopes but are most closely related to cattle. Uniquely, both males and females sport spindly, pointed horns that can reach 20 inches long.

A single female named Martha lived in captivity under the observation of William Robichaud, the coordinator of the IUCN’s Saola Working Group. However, the doe died after 15 days, and researchers gathered little data. Despite this, the group noticed that Martha was tame with humans but deeply distressed around dogs.

Unfortunately, habitat loss, illegal fur trading, population fragmentation, abandoned boar traps, and the traditional medicine black market all threaten saolas, making them one of the world’s most endangered species.

Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)

A large, ground-dwelling, nocturnal, flightless parrot, kakapos are native to New Zealand and rank among the world’s most endangered birds. Also known as the “owl parrot,” these herbivores have yellow and green plumage, huge feet, short legs, and giant beaks. They’re also the heaviest parrots on the planet and one of the longest-living birds known to man.

Today, only about 244 kakapos live on two small islands, Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) and Anchor Island, which conservationists scrubbed of cats, rats, and ferrets — kakapos’ main predators. The Kakapo Recovery team is clearing a third island for the critically endangered bird in the hope of further bolstering their numbers.

Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii)

The IUCN, alongside Greenpeace and dozens of other conservation groups, lists the Southern bluefin tuna as critically endangered. Governments have implemented regulations to protect bluefin tuna, but enforcement challenges and international fishing practices continue to threaten their populations. Pollution is also a massive problem for the species, as are the disease-causing chemicals that marine ranchers use to kill algae.

Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)

Coveted for their pelts and bones, Amur leopards are exceptionally vulnerable big cats. Researchers believe only 60 to 80 remain in the wild, and their numbers are plummeting due to poaching, fires, habitat destruction, and complications wrought by inbreeding.

These cold-weather cats live exclusively in the Primorye region of Russia and China. Scientists caution that Amur leopards now only occupy two percent of their historical territory due to the threats that they face.

North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis)

North Atlantic right whales stick close to coasts and regularly skim the ocean’s surface for zooplankton, making them easy targets — or to whalers, “the right whales to hunt.” Thousands of these gentle, aquatic giants once torpedoed through Atlantic waters. But today, only about 350 are left, and fewer than 100 are breeding females. These numbers worry conservationists because right whales only give birth once every seven to ten years.

Boating accidents, rising sea temperatures, and fishing net entanglements plague the whale, as does increased noise pollution, which prevents them from communicating and finding food.

Vaquita (Phocoena sinus)

They’re shy, love squid, and only around 10 are left in the wild. Known as the “Gulf of California harbor porpoise,” vaquitas are the smallest and most endangered marine mammals in the world. Vaquitas’ main nemesis is the fishing industry. Specifically, the 4-5 foot-long swimmers drown after becoming entangled in gillnets used for illegal totoaba fishing. Even though officials made gillnets illegal in vaquita waters, they typically don’t enforce the law. Unfortunately, conservationists believe the species could become extinct in the wild within a handful of years.

Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus)

Residents of Indonesia’s Ujung Kulan National Park, Javan rhinos are one of the most endangered species currently clinging to their patch of the planet. According to recent counts, only 76 are left. Inbreeding, natural disasters, disease, human encroachment, poaching, and the proliferation of ruinous palms are all conspiring against the 5,000-pound herbivores.

Javan rhinos, also known as “Sunda rhinos,” are the shyest and most endangered of the five rhino species. Instead of vocalizing, these huge animals use dung and urine to communicate. But don’t confuse their quiet natures with weakness. When threatened, rhinos are ferocious and easily kill humans who get in their way.

Javan rhinos typically live for 40 years, but pregnancies are few and far between, with a long 16-month gestation period. As a result, they’re incredibly vulnerable because regeneration efforts are slow-going.

Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)

A subspecies of the eastern gorilla first observed in 1902, the mountain gorilla lives high in the Congo Basin’s forests, where these primates have struggled to survive decades of civil unrest in their region. Though the mountain gorilla’s situation is improving slightly, they still qualify as one of the most endangered animals in the world, as there are only about 1,000 left in the wild. Poaching is up, as is illegal charcoal making, which is destroying their habitats at alarming rates. Plus, human encroachment is forcing the gorillas to higher ground, and many aren’t adapting well.

Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata and Lepidochelys kempii)

Hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are critically endangered. Their numbers have declined by about 80 percent over three generations. Since climate determines the sex of sea turtle hatchlings (febricity gives way to females), rising sea temperatures are wreaking havoc on populations because there aren’t enough males to mate.

Also, despite being illegal, sea turtle poaching is a persistent problem. The animals are still sought-after delicacies in parts of the world. Plus, their shells are highly prized status symbols in some cultures. Also, sea turtles regularly fall victim to commercial fishermen who inadvertently scoop them up as bycatch. By the time they’re discovered, it’s often too late. Coastal development is also killing Hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, as is pollution.

Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatrensis)

In 2011, Sumatran elephants landed under the critically endangered category on the IUCN’s Red List. Humans are overtaking their territories, and hunters are illegally killing them for their tusks. Sadly, the number of elephant shootings is also up amongst farmers protecting their harvests.

Sumatran elephants are elemental seed spreaders. Their presence keeps forest ecosystems healthy and vibrant, and their loss could trigger a devastating domino effect that renders dozens of species extinct in record time.

St. Lucia Racer Snake (Erythrolamprus ornatus)

Currently, the St. Lucia racer snake is said to be the world’s most endangered snake. There are only around 20 of these rare snakes left on the island of Maria Major in St. Lucia, where they make their home. The largest threat to the St. Lucia racers, which once populated the whole island, are invasive species like mongooses. St. Lucia racer snakes are non-venomous and grow up to four feet long.

How to Help the World’s Endangered Species

There are a few things that you can do to help the world’s endangered species, and not just the ones on this list. One of the most important things that you can do is learn about endangered species so that you can spread the word — talk to your friends and family about them and help make their plight known. You can also support conservation groups by donating or volunteering. Additionally, you can maintain sustainable practices, such as recycling or buying eco-friendly products, as every little bit helps.