15 Endangered Animals You Didn’t Know Were at Risk—For Endangered Species Day
While many people know that tigers and pandas are endangered, there are other lesser-known animals quietly disappearing. Some of these animals live in remote places, and their struggles go unnoticed by most of the world. Learning about them is the first step toward protecting them.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Endangered Species Day reminds us to care for the creatures we share our planet with, including those we often overlook. From tiny frogs to rare whales, many animals are vanishing without much public attention. These 15 species are not famous, but they are just as important to our ecosystems. By raising awareness, we can help bring hope to even the most forgotten animals.
1. Saola (Asian Unicorn)
Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication on Wikimedia
Found in the forests between Laos and Vietnam, the Saola is one of the rarest animals on Earth. It’s often called the “Asian unicorn” due to its long, straight horns and mysterious nature. With fewer than a few hundred left, it’s critically endangered because of habitat loss and poaching.
2. Vaquita
Paula Olson on Wikimedia
The vaquita is a small porpoise found only in the northern Gulf of California. With fewer than 10 individuals left, it is the world’s rarest marine mammal. Fishing nets used by humans are the biggest threat to their survival.
3. Axolotl
LaDameBucolique on Wikimedia
This strange-looking amphibian from Mexico is known for its ability to regrow limbs. Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild due to water pollution and habitat destruction. Ironically, they are common in labs and aquariums but rare in their natural home.
4. Pangolin
Thomas Hardwicke on Wikimedia
Often called the most trafficked mammal in the world, pangolins are hunted for their scales and meat. These shy, scaly creatures are found in parts of Asia and Africa. Despite their tough armor, they are helpless against poachers and illegal trade.
5. Gharial
Tomáš Lištiak tomexx on Wikimedia
The gharial is a crocodile with a long, thin snout, perfect for catching fish. It lives in India’s rivers but is now critically endangered, with fewer than 900 left. Dam construction and river pollution have destroyed much of its habitat.
6. Northern Bald Ibis
Jean-Paul Boerekamps
Once common in Europe, this bird now survives in small groups in North Africa and the Middle East. It has a featherless red head and a long curved beak. Conservationists are working hard to reintroduce it into the wild.
7. Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle
Johnleung2000s on Wikimedia
This freshwater turtle is considered the rarest in the world, with only three known individuals. Native to China and Vietnam, it is endangered due to habitat destruction and pollution. Efforts to breed them in captivity have faced many challenges.
8. Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkey
Daderot on Wikimedia
With its upturned nose and large eyes, this monkey looks like something from a cartoon. It is found only in a small area of northern Vietnam and is critically endangered. Deforestation and hunting are the main reasons for its decline.
9. Kakapo
Szilas on Wikimedia
The kakapo is a flightless, nocturnal parrot from New Zealand. Once widespread, it now survives with the help of intense conservation efforts. Only about 250 individuals are alive today, each one tracked and protected.
10. Hawaiian Monk Seal
Dr. James P. McVey, NOAA Sea Grant Program on Wikimedia
These seals are found only in Hawaii and are one of the few seal species native to the U.S. They are threatened by entanglement in fishing gear, disease, and shrinking beach space. Conservation programs are helping pups survive and grow.
11. Red Wolf
Tim Ross on Wikimedia
Native to the southeastern United States, the red wolf is one of the world’s rarest canines. Fewer than 20 remain in the wild, with more in captivity. Their survival is threatened by habitat loss and crossbreeding with coyotes.
12. Javan Rhino
T.Dixon. The Zoological Society of London on Wikimedia
There are fewer than 80 Javan rhinos left, all living in one national park in Indonesia. These shy animals are rarely seen and have very specific habitat needs. Any change in their environment could put the entire species at risk.
13. Philippine Eagle
U.S. Embassy in the Philippines on Wikimedia
One of the largest and strongest eagles in the world, the Philippine eagle is also critically endangered. It needs large areas of forest to hunt and nest, which are disappearing rapidly. Killing one is considered a crime in the Philippines.
14. Tree Kangaroo
Gg125 on Wikimedia
Tree kangaroos live in the forests of Papua New Guinea and Australia and are very different from the kangaroos we usually see. They are excellent climbers but face threats from logging and hunting. Several species of tree kangaroo are now endangered.
15. Roloway Monkey
Altaipanther on Wikimedia
This small primate is found in the forests of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa. Hunting and deforestation have pushed the Roloway monkey to the brink of extinction. With only a few hundred left, it needs urgent protection to survive.