Endangered species

species of organisms facing a very high risk of extinction

An endangered species is a group of animals or plants which is threatened by becoming extinct. This could happen because there are few of that animal left, its predators have grown in number, or the climate that it lives in is changing, or the places it lives in have been destroyed.

A cheetah is an example of an endangered animal

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has worked out that endangered species are 40% of all organisms.[1]

Conservation status
Bufo periglenes, the Golden Toad, was last recorded on May 15, 1989
Extinct
Threatened
Lower Risk

Other categories

Related topics

IUCN Red List category abbreviations (version 3.1, 2001)
Comparison of Red list classes above
and NatureServe status below
NatureServe category abbreviations

Many countries have laws to protect these plants and animals. These laws, if obeyed, can save species by stopping hunting, land development or making parks and reserves. Poaching and other illegal activities, however, can still destroy them.

Only a few plants and animals at risk of extinction, mostly vertebrates, are put on the lists and get legal protection. Many more species become extinct, or will become extinct, without people knowing about it.

Mammal

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This is a list of some mammals that are endangered. They include:

Endangered birds include:

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Further reading

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References

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  1. "IUCN Red-list statistics (2006)". Archived from the original on 2006-06-30. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  2. "Black Rhino | Species | WWF". World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  3. "Why Are Rhinos Endangered". www.helpingrhinos.org. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  4. "After Last Male's Death, Is the Northern White Rhino Doomed?". National Geographic News. 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2020-04-30.