7 Animals Being Eaten To Extinction (PHOTOS)

With human populations increasing worldwide and consumers demanding rare and exotic meals, endangered animals are being hunted for food at an increasingly alarming rate. Due to such a diverse international culture and rich tastes, the United States is one of the largest consumers of wildlife, with mass amounts of it illegally smuggled into the country every year.

Take a look at 7 animals that are threatened with extinction if humans don't stop eating them--you might be surprised at what you find!

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Pangolin

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The pangolin is a family of 8 species, also known as the scaly anteater, native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Large keratin scales cover its skin—a mammal adaptation unique to the pangolin. Unfortunately, the pangolin's existence is threatened due to heavy consumption primarily in Africa, China, and Indonesia, where not only is the meat considered a delicacy but the pangolin serves as a source for many herbal medicines. The IUCN Red List has classified two species of Pangolin as endangered, with four more listed as near threatened.

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The pangolin is a family of 8 species, also known as the scaly anteater, native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Large keratin scales cover its skin—a mammal adaptation unique to the pangolin. Unfortunately, the pangolin's existence is threatened due to heavy consumption primarily in Africa, China, and Indonesia, where not only is the meat considered a delicacy but the pangolin serves as a source for many herbal medicines. The IUCN Red List has classified two species of Pangolin as endangered, with four more listed as near threatened.

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Comments

[whatisthemeaningofthis]

03:28 PM on 05/17/2010

i don't care what anyone says - i'm not giving up my Chinese giant salamander

{{puking sound}}

[highfructsecornsquezzins]

01:44 PM on 05/06/2010

Meateaters repent, its not too late. Avoid negative karma, accept a vegan lifestyle.

[Raelove]

03:32 AM on 05/08/2010

Could you explain to me why a meateater would need to repent? Are you truly an amazingly pure and perfect person?

[ptobe]

10:51 AM on 05/06/2010

Anyone else find it somewhat presumptuous and ignorant to be rating which species are "most important"?

[InspiredByTruth]

06:45 PM on 05/04/2010

Haliburton is responsible for this disaster. The company needs to be dissolved and the investors loose EVERYTHING.
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2010/4/28/82733/7847

[RockyMissouri]

10:52 AM on 05/01/2010

We are just not that special--you can tell by reading some of the trite comments here to tell how 'special in their own minds' some commenters think they are.

[cheeseandsnark]

06:16 AM on 05/03/2010

Mostly what they think is that they are oh so clever and funny although they are oh so not. The trolls come out early and stay up late.

[RockyMissouri]

10:45 AM on 05/01/2010

While I am a meat-eater, I truly respect and admire vegetarians--driving by Amarillo, Texas and the feedlots-is an
eye-opener....I tell you truthfully-that animals are much better than humans..we have treated them miserably- I can understand why people join groups like PETA and others, rescue dolphins and whales--I wish I had your courage.

[tjconkster]

06:39 PM on 05/02/2010

Dontcha just love that smell!! The Amaraillo feedlots are just plain nasty. Well any feedlot is nasty.

I investigated a fire at one near Lubbock, TX. I drive a white pickup, by the time I was done, it was almost black from the fly crap. Mega dairies are another nasty place. There are several near Roswell, NM. During the summer months, the flies are so bad in town that they cover you when you try to walk into a restaurant. Really sucks..

[ZoeyEpicurean]

05:07 PM on 05/05/2010

I was just telling my sister the other day about my experience driving by a feedlot near Amarillo. The stench was detected miles before I even started to see the little black dots on the horizon... which grew bigger and bigger until I realized they were hundreds upon hundreds of cows, confined within razor-wire fence and pens... but the most devastatingly awful sight of all? The ground was thick with their own manure, which they were walking and laying in. The cows looked dreadful and waiting for death, which a release to be had at the complex of corrugated buildings only a mile away.

[RockyMissouri]

10:25 AM on 05/01/2010

Education-birth control-contraception are as important as food- but not if you're hungry.

[playon]

06:25 AM on 05/01/2010

Too many people who are too hungry.

[ashabot]

11:48 PM on 04/30/2010

Oh my god, this breaks my heart. Just breaks my heart. There are so many plant based alternatives to meat, and healthier both to humans and the planet. Humans are eating the world.

[Mark Montgomery]

11:32 AM on 04/30/2010

Considered a delicacy over and over again.
What a bunch of sheep people are.

[Raelove]

02:15 AM on 04/30/2010

This picture of the pangolin is amazing, I've never seen such an interestingly beautiful creature until now... I certainly hope extinction of this species can be prevented....

[goatboyslim]

11:47 AM on 05/06/2010

My first thought was: I want one of those! Second thought? Don't be stupid, they're not pets. Cute creatures are always easier to save.

[NoWMDs]

02:41 PM on 04/29/2010

Are vegans allowed to eat animal crackers?

[goatboyslim]

11:49 AM on 05/06/2010

The vegan saying is "eat nothing with a face"- so if someone else bites off the heads, then yes,it's a go.

[whatisthemeaningofthis]

03:26 PM on 05/17/2010

lol

[enlightened45]

12:30 PM on 04/29/2010

Have some "celebs" make eating cauliflower the in thing and all those who follow the herd mentality will then make cauliflower endangered...Proceed down the veggies and the innocent animals will be spared and everyone will satisfy their egotistical need to be part of the popular and pretty people.

I am astonished at the lack of thought that most people exhibit, food fads are worse than fashion fads....

[oxford85]

11:56 AM on 04/29/2010

Bless the vegetarians of the world for one day they shall inherit it! Thank goodness the shift to a meatless diet is on the incline, especially in well educated places where people connect the dots.

[Raelove]

03:41 AM on 04/30/2010

I tried to go Vegan once in my life, it lasted for 8months, as I personally struggle with many environmental and food allergies, beans & the legume family as one of them, I found it difficult to thrive with very little protein sources in my diet... I eventually had to make peace with the fact that I needed some meat in my diet to gain some strength. I also had to make peace with the fact that the vegetables and fruits were also giving up their energy source to sustain mine. With all the information about pollution and toxins that was thrown at me when I tried to persue the organic-vegan route, I almost didn't want to eat anything at all, and stressed myself out over almost every meal wether meat was included or not. I eventually had to choose to eat, survive and maybe thrive, or waste away from disease and stress. Please do not condemn me for trying to find out how to exist in this world as a healthier member, and one who yearns to live in a more consciencious society.

[Raelove]

03:43 AM on 04/30/2010

con't part 2
I do believe that there is a flow of energy that all living things are all an important part of, and I don't believe that we as humans should be abusing that flow in the name of greed and profit. I used to be anti-hunter, but existed as a meat eater. I recently became a hunter to provide healthier meat for my children and for my own life. Since learning more about how various natural environments benefit from responsible management, I have gained more respect for the practice of preventing overpopulation of specific species. There is still much to learn but I am hopeful that a better balance within life cycles can be achieved. My first doe was heart shot, being quite inexperienced it was amazing how many different opportunities she gave me to change my aim to take the right shot at her, we made eye contact several times, she had several opportunities to escape is she chose to, after I shot her and as she bled out I stood near her, I looked her in the eyes and thanked her for giving me her life. Overall, I find that this experience inspires me to do better with my life. She was a dry doe (unable to bear more life) essentially a good one to harvest as there are many that could die from starvation or disease when an area is overpopulated.

[Joe Friday]

10:40 AM on 04/29/2010

Damn, everything I enjoy eating will soon be band by tree huggers! Life is tough!

[SuburbanMalcontent]

07:16 PM on 05/03/2010

Maybe then you can take the time you would usually spend consuming inordinate amounts of disgusting meat products and instead pick up a grammar book and learn the concept of word choice. It's "Banned," not "Band" you knuckle-dragging troll.