Endangered animals that could be extinct by 2016

If you’re an endangered animal in this day and age, it can either be a blessing or a curse. Humans are your biggest threat and your best allies. Whilst some risk life and limb to poach, others dedicate their lives to preserving the worlds most endangered species. Here are some animals that could be extinct before 2016.
 

Vaquita

At just 4 feet and weighing only 40kg, the Vaquita is the worlds smallest porpoise. And with only 97 left, it’s also the rarest. All remaining Vaquitas live in a corner of Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, where they are often fatally entangled in fisherman’s nets.

Northern sportive lemur

The northern sportive Lemur has lost 80% of its total population in under 20 years, leaving just 50 individuals to carry on the species. Its biggest threat is from illegal hunters who kill them for their meat. It’s habitat spans parts of Madagascar and isn’t part of any official protected area.

Hawksbill sea turtle

In lest then 10 years, the population of Hawksbill sea turtles fell by 80%, depleted by years of poaching and beach developments. Despite the decline, it looks like things might become stable as poaching has decreased by 80% due to a crack down by local authorities in the Caribbean.

Amur leopard

The Amur leopard is an extremely rare subspecies with only 6 cubs and 20 adults left in the world. They can be found in the Primorye region of Russia where it faces a whole host of threats including poaching for fur, road traffic, climate change and loss of habitat through deforestation. Its tiny population is still in decline according to the IUCN.

Blue-throated macaw

The Blue-throated Macaw is critical endangered due to the rise in international pet trade. Despite Bolivia banning live exports of parrots, deforestation continues to be a threat to the 120 remaining survivors.

Mountain gorilla

There are only 300 Mountain Gorillas left in the wild. Found in Uganda, they are threatened by hunting and in recent years have fallen victim to armed conflict between rival factions, Over a quarter of wild Mountain Gorillas live in Virunga where their rocky relationship with people, including the ever looming threat of oil drilling is a real cause for concern.

Sumatran elephant

According to the IUCN, the Sumatran elephant has lost nearly 70 percent of its potential habitat since 1985, this has resulted in conflicts with local communities that result in relocation or death. Combined with the rise in ivory poaching and things are looking rather bleak for the endangered elephant.

Giraffe

Giraffes aren’t usually cited as being at risk, but they probably should be. There were over 140k wild giraffes in 1999, now there are less than 80,000 – a 43% decline in less than 15 years. Poachers, climate change and loss of agriculture are all responsible for the decline in numbers.