Endangered Animals – 

Around the world, there are many different species of animals that are endangered. There are various reasons and causes for animals being endangered. Some of the main causes are loss of habitat and loss of genetic variation. This has also been the main cause of animal species extinction. One example is Dinosaurs, they lost their habitat about 65 million years ago. 

Top Five Most Endangered Species 

The Giant Panda

The Giant Panda has been classified as endangered since 1990. During that time period, their population count was 1,114. But in 2016 it had increased to 1,184. The main cause for them becoming endangered was habitat destruction. Fun Fact: Giant pandas have excellent camouflage for their habitat.

Panther Tigers

There are less than 4,000 left in the wild of this species. One of the reasons they are endangered is because China has said that their organs, bones, etc, have some sort of magical curative power. They are hunted in the country of China.  Fun Fact: Each tiger has its own unique stripe pattern.

Whooping Crane

The Whooping Crane is known to be endangered due to habitat loss and past rampant. There are some other factors such as humans hunting for their feathers and meat. Their population consists of just a little bit over 800 living in the wild today. Their population has increased. In 1938, there were only 29 living in the wild, and three years later in 1941, only 16 were left! Fun Fact: The Whooping Crane is the tallest bird in North America and is the rarest crane. 

                                                       Blue Whale

Blue Whales are one of the top 10 endangered species because they are hunted by humans for their oil, meat, and teeth. Their main cause for being endangered is because of humans hunting them. Fun Fact: The Blue Whale is the largest animal species to live on earth. Check out a life size one at the National Museum of History in NYC!

                                                      Asian Elephant

One of the main causes the Asian Elephant is endangered is because of habitat loss and fragmentation. The Asian Elephants have dropped their population by 50 percent. Although they have decreased by 50%,  there are still 40,000 to 50,000 left in the wild. Fun Fact: Asian elephants have one more toenail on each foot than African elephants.

Main Causes for Species Endangered

The main causes for animal species being endangered and extinct are usually and commonly habitat loss and hunting. Species are usually hunted because they have parts of their body that are valuable or useful. People want to hunt these animals for these certain parts, but sadly most of the time have to kill the animal to get these parts.