what animals might be extinct by 2025

Al Mazer

3 min read

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11-11-2024

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On the Brink: Animals Facing Extinction by 2025

The Earth's biodiversity is facing a crisis, with many species teetering on the edge of extinction. While the exact timeline for any species' disappearance is uncertain, the next few years represent a critical period for many animals. Some are facing imminent threat of extinction by 2025, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

The Critically Endangered: A Glimpse into a Bleak Future

Several animals are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning they are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. These include:

1. Amur Leopard (**Panthera pardus orientalis): Fewer than 100 Amur leopards remain in the wild, primarily in Russia's far east. Habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict are primary threats.

2. Sumatran Orangutan (**Pongo abelii): This critically endangered great ape is losing its forest habitat to deforestation for palm oil plantations and illegal logging. The species is estimated to have fewer than 14,000 individuals in the wild.

3. Vaquita (**Phocoena sinus): Found only in the Gulf of California, the vaquita is the world's smallest cetacean and faces imminent extinction. The main threat is accidental entanglement in gillnets used for fishing.

4. Hawksbill Sea Turtle (**Eretmochelys imbricata): This beautiful sea turtle is critically endangered due to overfishing, habitat loss, and the illegal trade in its shell.

5. Javan Rhino (**Rhinoceros sondaicus): The Javan rhino is the rarest rhino species, with fewer than 70 individuals remaining in a single national park in Indonesia. Poaching and habitat loss continue to threaten their survival.

6. Mountain Gorilla (**Gorilla beringei beringei): While conservation efforts have helped increase their numbers, the mountain gorilla remains critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease.

7. Saola (**Pseudoryx nghetinhensis): This elusive mammal, often called the "Asian unicorn," is critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. Its exact population size is unknown, but only a handful are thought to remain in the wild.

8. Black-Footed Ferret (**Mustela nigripes): This small mammal was once thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in 1981. Habitat loss and disease remain major threats, leading to a continued precarious existence.

9. Chinese Paddlefish (**Psephurus gladius): This critically endangered freshwater fish has not been seen in the wild since 2003. Habitat destruction and overfishing are blamed for its decline.

10. Golden Lion Tamarin (**Leontopithecus rosalia): This iconic primate is critically endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation. It is found in a small area of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

Understanding the Causes of Extinction

These animals are facing a multitude of threats, many of which are linked to human activity:

• Habitat Loss: Deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion are destroying crucial ecosystems, displacing and endangering countless species.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures, altered weather patterns, and extreme events are disrupting habitats and pushing species to their limits.
• Pollution: Chemicals, plastic, and other pollutants are poisoning animals and contaminating their environments.
• Poaching: The illegal trade in animal parts for traditional medicine, fashion, and the pet market continues to threaten many species.
• Overexploitation: Overfishing, unsustainable hunting, and other forms of over-exploitation are decimating populations.

The Role of Conservation: A Race Against Time

To avert extinction, it is crucial to implement effective conservation measures. These include:

• Protecting and restoring habitats: Establishing protected areas, restoring degraded landscapes, and promoting sustainable land use practices.
• Combatting climate change: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy adoption and other initiatives.
• Combating pollution: Reducing waste generation, promoting sustainable practices, and enacting stricter environmental regulations.
• Enforcing anti-poaching laws: Strengthening law enforcement, raising public awareness, and reducing demand for illegal wildlife products.
• Promoting sustainable practices: Encouraging sustainable fishing, agriculture, and other practices to minimize human impact on wildlife.

The fate of these endangered animals hangs in the balance. While the timeline for their extinction is uncertain, the next few years will be critical. Concerted action is necessary to ensure that these remarkable creatures can continue to thrive for generations to come.