Images Of Endangered And Threatened Species (PHOTOS)

Some 8.7 million unique species live on Earth. But thanks to hunting, environmental destruction and climate change, a growing number continue to make the endangered species list at an alarming rate.

According to WWF, destructive human activities mean the current rate is at least 100–1,000 times higher than the expected natural rate of extinction.

That might explain why nearly one in four mammals worldwide are at risk for extinction, says a 2008 assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Conservation efforts are currently underway to raise awareness to fight illegal logging, unsustainable hunting and fishing.

From polar bears, to rhinos and koalas, see over a dozen photos of the world's threatened and endangered species below. They're so cute, it's hard to imagine they may not be around much longer.

For more, check out our photos and videos of threatened orangutans, scaly anteaters, and big cats.

Comments

[NEHAMADAN1222]

06:13 AM on 09/27/2011

I think all animals and creatures of this planet are beautiful...I gave all these images a 10! My favorite one was the panda from China...so cute!

[sierraseven]

02:35 AM on 09/27/2011

Hey, remember, not all endangered species are photogenic.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/voyage-travel/sources-springs/index/banff/banff/physe-snail.aspx

http://www2.canada.com/technology/climate+change+blamed+endangered+snails+spring/4472185/story.html?id=4472185

Save the Banff Springs Snails!

Sure, they look like slightly oversized lentils - and they live on globs of stuff you would use disinfectant on if you found it in your shower - but they're a unique and highly specialized population of critters that deserves attention just as much as the beautiful tigers and birds.

[Max Shaw]

02:33 PM on 09/26/2011

Cutest thing of the day right there.

[Jorgelzorro]

10:47 PM on 09/25/2011

Animals have the same right like us to live in this planet too.just because you have a bigger brain you all think you have the right to kill everything else?

[Jorgelzorro]

10:43 PM on 09/25/2011

We should just have one child per couple in the whole world,overpopulation it's the problem,I know that ,you know that.do you think this planet its groing too?

[2ManyQuestions]

01:40 PM on 09/26/2011

We do... Animals kill each other. They crowd other species out as well. Your objection is simply that we as a species are too successful.

Perhaps you should look into extinct species and why they went extinct...

[Jnce]

08:45 PM on 09/26/2011

Unfortunately our success will literally be the death of us. We cannot feed the world's population without genetically modified seed. We cannot produce enough energy without polluting the earth. To supply everyone we must stop the exponential growth of population and return to zero population growth.

[SkyCap]

03:20 PM on 09/25/2011

Ah poor little Orangutan...cute now, but either he will grow up to be in a permanent adolescent phase and be abused by the dominant males, or he will be a big bullish dominant male and abuse the low ranking males, as well as his harem of females. Nature, red in tooth and claw. Reciprocal altruism is the best we get and it only goes so far.

[kareemachan]

12:03 PM on 09/25/2011

My only caveat with this is the polar bear photo. You get pics like this when wildlife people trank the mother to tag or radio-collar or such, and of course the cubs stay with her. The problem is (or maybe was, as my information was from a wildlife biologist a while back) that the tranked bears can die from the stress and the drugs.

[sierraseven]

02:01 AM on 09/27/2011

Gee, how does the Fish and Wildlife Service get along without geniuses like you? Actually, pictures like that can be taken - and commonly are - with a telephoto lens. No "tranking" necessary.

[Kiku2]

11:40 AM on 09/25/2011

One of the problems is that the average human lifespan is extending, meaning the population and our carbon footprint is extending. So people start invading on these habitats because they feel they don't have enough room. Still they need to think about the ecosystems they live in and how to coexist while keeping these endangered animals thriving. However this is no cup of tea, and hopefully we figure it out before it's too late.
(On another note, I tried to view these photos without the fullscreen but it doesn't work. I wanted to see the descriptions but they don't show up. Yes, I recognize some of these species although just the same I would like it if articles like this would offer an option whether to view these photos without the fancy window.)

[jamaicagirl]

10:42 AM on 09/25/2011

Babies of any species are just too cute. I don't know how someone could harm them.
I especially love the white tiger cubs.

[IndyGuy]

09:24 AM on 09/25/2011

"Man is a menace, a walking pestilence. He eats up his food supply in the forest, then migrates to our green belts and ravages our crops." -- Dr. Zaius, Planet of the APes.

[zenju2]

06:47 AM on 09/25/2011

Humanity, taken as a whole, is insane. It's like living in a houseful of sick monkeys: greedy, angry, fearful, deluded, and chattering loudly. Sure, there are a few exceptions here and there...but it's not enough to save humanity from destroying itself. I used to believe that the few of us who are aware could drag the majority, kicking and screaming, into a better, viable, peaceful and sustainable world...no more. I give us till about 2100, tops.

[Fi]

03:56 AM on 09/25/2011

Are'nt we very lucky to have such wonderful creatures around us, what say we leave them alone!

[beth24]

02:56 AM on 09/25/2011

humans are just plain immoral and disgusting

[ashabot]

02:10 AM on 09/25/2011

If elephants go extinct so will I. I don't want to live in a world without them.... or any of the other beautiful creatures in this article. Better ewwwww-mans go extinct than all the world's diversity.

[IndyGuy]

09:25 AM on 09/25/2011

I feel the same way with tigers.:( Let's face it, all of those creatures listed int he photo shoot will probably be extinct in the next 50 years. We are a disgrace!

[ashabot]

03:01 PM on 09/25/2011

F/F

Hey IndyGuy. It's a cold comfort knowing you feel the same way but at least we are here together at this grim little party as the ewwww-man termites consume the earth and all its children whole. Perhaps we will stroke the last tiger's head and close the last elephant's eyes as they die then we will die of broken hearts.

[Dan1902]

01:19 AM on 09/25/2011

"We DO NOT inherit the Earth from our ancestors,We BORROW it from our children."-Native American Proverb