The 10 Most Beautiful Mammals In Critical Danger Of Extinction
Today, several of the most beautiful mammals on Earth are critically endangered. Some of them are quite well known for the preservation campaigns carried out, but others have been overshadowed by the lack of means or investment in their conservation.
So, could you think of a mammal that is on this list and is not very well known? Do you know threatened mammals beyond the lynx or the tiger? If the answer is no, don’t worry, because below we will see a total of ten mammals that meet these characteristics.
The 10 most beautiful mammals in danger of extinction
In the following lines we present a list – subjective, of course – with the most beautiful mammals of the animal kingdom in danger of extinction. Despite the fact that every living being deserves the same recognition and conservation effort, here we collect 10 emblematic species.
1. Whale of the Basques
One of the largest aquatic mammals can be seen on the northern coasts of Spain. This large animal goes by the scientific name of Eubalaena glacialis and is in danger of extinction.
The Basque whale has suffered severe exploitation over the centuries – especially in the Cantabrian Sea and the Atlantic – and for this reason there are no stable populations in the wild and its capture has been prohibited throughout the world.
2. Baiji dolphin
If we look for the longest river in Asia, we find the name of the Yangtze River. In this river there are two different species of emblematic dolphins and one of them is the Baiji dolphin or Lipotes vexillifer .
This species has been declared “functionally extinct” due to the vast number of individuals in the wild. It is estimated that its population is less than 10 specimens, but even so, measures are still being applied for its recovery.
3. Sumatran elephant
Sumatra is one of the many places that have various endangered animals. Among them are the tiger, the rhinoceros, the orangutan or the Sumatran elephant ( Elephas maximus sumatranus ).
It has been suggested that if the elephant population were to be stabilized, the rest of the species would also benefit. This would be so, in part, because elephants require a healthy habitat to survive.
4. Monk Seal
Another of the endangered aquatic mammals receives the scientific name of Monachus monachus. Also known as the monk seal, it is the only living representative of its genus.
Fortunately, it is no longer classified as a critically endangered species, having changed to the category ‘endangered’ (EN) in recent years. This is because its population is growing, all thanks to protection measures.
5. Yangtze finless porpoise
If we go back to the Yangtze River, we find another critically endangered aquatic mammal. This species is known as the Yangtze finless porpoise or Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis. This porpoise has been extensively studied, because its intelligence is similar to gorillas. She is also recognized for her friendly expression, which tends to bring out a smile.
6. Amur leopard
Within leopards there are several subspecies. One of them – very peculiar in nature – is Panthera pardus orientalis and is known as the Amur or Far Eastern leopard in many cultures.
It is present in the mountains of Siberia in freedom and in some recovery centers. However, wild individuals are few and far between and show a high percentage of inbreeding. Therefore, its status is critical, as are the Arabian leopard and Java leopard subspecies. Currently, efforts are being made to recover it.
7. Pangolin
Although its origin is a mystery, it is currently one of the critically endangered mammals. This is largely due to the illegal trade, as it enjoys the sad title of being the ‘most trafficked mammal in the world’.
Thanks to its particular appearance —because it is a mammal with scales— it is easily identifiable. Unfortunately, all species in the genus are in a vulnerable or critically endangered state.
8. Bornean orangutan
In the primate world there are also several endangered species. One of the most damaged genera is the Pongo genus , which includes the Bornean Orangutan ( P ongo pygmaeus ) and its three subspecies:
- Northwest Borneo: the most threatened, due to the loss of a large part of its habitat.
- Northeast Borneo: it has the smallest size.
- Central Borneo: has a greater number of individuals.
Unfortunately, its population has shrunk quite a bit in recent years. However, the Indonesian and Malaysian governments are trying to stabilize their population centers in the wild.
9. Vaquita marina
On the other hand, another aquatic mammal at serious risk is Phocoena sinus. He goes by the name of vaquita marina and is the only member of his family present in Mexico.
This small cetacean shows a great capacity to adapt to changes. However, it is estimated that the number of adult individuals is 18, a number that highlights the serious danger to their survival as a species.
10. European mink
Finally, we are going to talk about Mustela lutreola , also known as European mink and exclusive to Europe. This species is sadly known to be part of the fur industry.
However, we should know it as a good indicator of the health of our rivers. Likewise, it is often confused with the American mink, an invasive species that poses a threat to this European endemism.
We can conclude that these are ten of the most beautiful mammals in the world that are critically endangered, but not the only ones. Luckily, they are trying to recover each and every one of the species that we have listed here.
Despite this, we must realize that a large part of the responsibility is human. For this reason, we have to support those measures that promote the protection of these and all threatened species.
