Which animals are on the brink of extinction and why?

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), approximately 18,000 animal species are currently threatened with extinction. Of these, more than 400 are listed in the Russian Red Data Book, ranging from large mammals to marine life. Species populations most often decline due to habitat destruction: deforestation, steppe plowing, and drainage of water bodies. Poaching, illegal trade, and climate change, which deprive animals of their natural food and shelter, also play a significant role.

To preserve vulnerable populations, reserves and national parks are being established around the world, captive breeding programs are launched, and programs are then launched to reintroduce animals to the wild. International agreements limit trade in endangered species, and illegal hunting is punishable. However, many animal species remain endangered, and their conservation requires long-term efforts.

We have compiled a list of ten species listed in the Red Data Book that require special protection.

1. Far Eastern leopard

Far Eastern leopard (Photo: Russian Geographical Society)

The rarest leopard subspecies lives in the southwest of Primorsky Krai and in the border regions of China. By the early 2000s, only about 30 individuals remained in the wild: poaching, deforestation, forest fires, and depleted prey had driven the population to the brink of extinction.

A turning point was the creation of Land of the Leopard National Park in 2012, which encompasses almost the entire Russian range of the species. A 24-hour patrol system is in place within its territory, and work is underway to restore prey and rehabilitate injured animals. Thanks to these measures, the Far Eastern leopard population has increased to 129 individuals by 2024. However, even with this positive trend, the species remains vulnerable, and long-term habitat protection remains key to its conservation.

2. Giant panda

Giant Panda (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The giant panda has long been an endangered species. Found only in China’s mountain bamboo forests, any reduction in its range directly impacts its population. The main threats are deforestation and forest fragmentation, as well as low birth rates, which means the population is recovering very slowly.

To address this situation, Chinese authorities are implementing a large-scale conservation program. The country has established dozens of nature reserves, restored bamboo groves, and established captive breeding of pandas with subsequent release into the wild. These measures have yielded results: in 2016, the wild panda population exceeded 1,800 individuals, and their status was soon changed to “vulnerable”.

3. Polar bear

Polar Bears (Photo: Russian Geographical Society)

The polar bear is the largest land predator and a key indicator of the health of Arctic ecosystems. Its life is closely linked to sea ice: it hunts seals, rests, and migrates long distances there. Climate change has become the main threat to this species — the extent and thickness of the ice are shrinking, and bears are increasingly being deprived of their traditional hunting grounds. This forces them to travel hundreds of kilometers in search of food and approach Arctic settlements, where the risk of conflict with humans is high.

Today, there are approximately 26,000 polar bears in the world, of which 5,000–6,000 live in Russia. To protect them, specially protected natural areas are being established, waste management in coastal settlements is regulated, and international population monitoring is underway. However, without slowing the rate of global warming, maintaining stable populations is extremely difficult: by the end of the century, some subpopulations could disappear completely along with melting Arctic ice.

4. Snow leopard

Snow Leopard (Photo: Snow Leopard Trust)

The snow leopard, or irbis, is one of the most secretive and rare predators on the planet. Most individuals inhabit the mountain slopes of South and Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and other countries. Their powerful paws and thick fur allow them to confidently navigate rocky cliffs and endure severe frosts. The main threats to the species are poaching and the decline of wild goats and sheep, which form the main part of their diet.

According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), there are currently up to 3,300 adult snow leopards worldwide, and their numbers continue to decline. However, in recent years, special attention has been paid to the animal. For example, in 2024, specialists from the Russian Irbis Center conducted a “census” of snow leopards in all of their habitats: the Altai Republic, Tyva, Buryatia, and Krasnoyarsk Krai. As a result of the expedition, scientists discovered 87 snow leopards  —  previously, there were no more than 75 individuals in Russia.

5. Arabian oryx

Arabian Oryx (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The Arabian Oryx is an inhabitant of the dry savannas and semi-deserts of Western Asia. It is easily recognized by its long, almost straight horns, reaching up to one and a half meters. In the mid-20th century, the oryx was on the brink of extinction: widespread hunting for meat and trophies, along with displacement from its natural pastures, led to a sharp population decline. By the 1970s, the Arabian Oryx was declared extinct in the wild, but the population was soon restored through a captive breeding program in Saudi Arabia. This is considered one of the most successful examples of the recovery of a large mammal species.

Today, the animal can be found on the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Israel, and Syria. Decades later, the species is still considered vulnerable, numbering only 850 individuals, but its population remains stable.

6. Hawksbill sea turtle

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Photo: Living Planet)

The hawksbill sea turtle is a tropical sea turtle with a graceful amber shell and a narrow, horny beak, which allows it to forage for sponges and jellyfish in coral reefs. The species is most commonly found in Sri Lanka, off the Gulf of Chiriqui on the Isthmus of Panama, and on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey.

The main threats to the species include poaching for their shells, which are used to make souvenirs and jewelry, accidental entanglement in fishing nets, and the destruction of beaches where the turtles lay their eggs. Furthermore, in several Asian countries, hawksbill eggs are still sold in markets as a delicacy, despite an international convention banning them.

Today, the population is estimated at approximately 23,000 individuals, and the species is critically endangered. Due to late sexual maturity  —  females only begin reproducing at age 30  —  recovery is extremely slow, and the hawksbill sea turtle remains one of the most vulnerable sea turtles on the planet.

7. Beluga

Beluga Whale (Photo: National Geographic Kids)

One of the most recognizable inhabitants of the Arctic, distinguished by its light coloring and particularly “talkative” nature, it produces dozens of different sounds and has even earned the nickname “sea canary.” Its population is estimated at 150,000–200,000 individuals, but its distribution is extremely uneven: some populations are numerous, while others number only a few hundred individuals. For example, in Cook Inlet, Alaska, the number of beluga whales declined by almost 80% between 1979 and 2018  —  from 1,300 to 279 individuals, making it one of the most vulnerable groups.

Today, this toothed whale species faces numerous threats: water pollution, shipping noise, shrinking ice cover, and attacks by killer whales and polar bears. In the past, commercial and sport hunting, which is now completely banned, dealt a serious blow to the population.

To prevent further decline, US scientists and volunteers developed the “Species Spotlight” plan, which outlines specific measures: reducing anthropogenic noise, protecting habitats, and supporting the restoration of prey.

8. African elephant

African Elephants (Photo: Shutterstock)

The African elephant is the largest land mammal, weighing over six tons. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were approximately 10 million individuals on the continent, but over the past century, their numbers have declined by more than 95%. The main reasons are the rapid loss of their natural habitat due to land development and hunting for ivory.

Today, the population numbers approximately 350,000 elephants, 84% of which live in protected areas, but threats remain the same. Despite the international ban, demand for ivory on the black market remains, with significant quantities shipped to Asian countries.

9. Antarctic fur seal

Antarctic fur seals (Photo: Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition)

The Antarctic fur seal has long been considered one of the most successful examples of species recovery. By the late 19th century, widespread fur hunting had nearly driven the population to extinction, but after the trade was banned, its numbers began to grow. Thanks to rapid reproduction, the population exceeded 4 million individuals in the early 2000s.

However, research in recent years has shown that this recovery has been unsustainable. As recently as 2009, approximately 3.5 million individuals inhabited the South Georgia archipelago, after which the population began to decline by an average of 7.2% annually. Scientists attribute this to climate change: warming waters in the Southern Ocean have sharply reduced the availability of Antarctic krill, which makes up 80% of the fur seals’ diet.

10. Okapi

Okapi (Photo: The Maryland Zoo)

A mysterious animal found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the okapi is a close relative of the giraffe, resembling both a zebra and a horse. The species was discovered by Western science only in the late 19th century and remains poorly studied.

Due to its secretive lifestyle in tropical forests, counting its numbers is extremely difficult, but for over 10 years, the animal has been listed on the Red List as a threatened species. Among the main threats are deforestation, poaching, and the unstable political situation in the region, which hinders the work of conservation services.

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