There are an estimated 7.7 million species of animals on the planet. A high percentage of these species correspond to endangered animals, although not all are in the same danger. We present you with 10 of the most threatened species.

Currently, there are many species of animals in danger of extinction. The reasons that threaten the survival of flora and fauna species are very varied, although human action and its effects on climate change play a vital role in the speed at which this process takes place.

Early action on endangered animals can pay off, causing species to recover through supervised breeding. But there are many other animals whose extinction is imminent and even inevitable.

Poaching is one of the main causes that causes the disappearance of thousands of species every year in the world. Animal trafficking and illegal hunting are two of the greatest threats to protected species. Every year, an average of 100 tigers are killed at the hands of these poachers.

Another reason that is seriously endangering the survival of thousands of species is the destruction of their habitat due to abusive human activities. This causes displacement of species towards other ecosystems that end up altering both the fauna and flora, as well as their development, placing them on the brink of extinction.

Animals in danger of extinction in the world

• Java rhinoceros

On the IUCN Red List, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is listed as a critically endangered species because there are only between 46 and 66 mature specimens left. Its coveted horns and medicinal application are the main threat that is causing it to be on the brink of extinction.

• Mountain gorilla

They are listed as an endangered species by the IUCN Red List, which designates the Bwindi National Park, Uganda, and the Virunga Volcanoes region of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as places where they are still You can find specimens of this species of gorillas. According to WWF, only 720 are left living in their natural habitat.

• Tiger

WWF is one of the international organizations with the most experience in the field of protection of endangered species. Recent studies have counted only 3,200 tigers that live in their natural habitat, which is also threatened by climate change.

• Giant Panda

It is estimated that fewer than 2,500 mature giant pandas are living in the wild and that each population has fewer than 250 mature individuals, according to the UIMP, which classifies them on its Red List as an endangered species. The degradation of their habitat is the main threat to their survival.

• Polar Bear

His image to put a face to climate change has been around the world. Plastic pollution and environmental pollution damage their endocrine and reproductive systems, thus becoming a doubly threatened species.

• Pacific Walrus

A neighbor of the polar bear shares with him the same problems derived from the melting and warming of the Arctic. As in the case of polar bears, oil prospecting is also a threat to the Pacific walrus.

• Magellanic Penguin

In addition to climate change, this type of penguin is also threatened by oil pollution, tourism, and the expansion of its predators. The Magellanic penguin is one of the endangered species that could soon disappear if temperatures continue to rise at this speed.

• Red Tuna

This fish appears on the IUCN Red List as an endangered species. WWF points out that the fundamental cause for which this species is threatened is its overfishing because it has a great value in the Japanese market.

• Leatherback Turtle

The international organization OCEANA cites accidental catches when using techniques such as trawling or longliners among its main threats. In addition, like almost all the endangered species on this list, it is affected by the deterioration of its habitat.

Another problem these turtles face is that they mistake the plastic bags for the jellyfish that are part of their diet and often end up ingesting them. This can have devastating consequences because plastic can cause them to suffocate.

• Monarch Butterfly

This species is fundamentally threatened by deforestation and forest degradation due to illegal logging that takes place in its overwintering places in Mexico, as well as the reduction of its reproductive habitat in the United States and Canada. The latter is due to changes in land use, according to WWF.