Rare Wild Animal Searches Of 2011 On Google Zeitgeist List (PHOTOS)

Each year, Google releases its Zeitgeist review of the most popular and fastest rising search terms of the year. Analyzing the world's queries, Google is able to show which people, places and things represent the "spirit of the time" for 2011. According to Google, this is their eleventh annual Zeitgeist list.

One of the Zeitgeist lists is of the fastest rising searches for "rare wild animals" in 2011. While Apple products and celebrities may not have made this list, it is still quite intriguing. Ranging from the intimidating Komodo dragon to the majestic bald eagle, a number of amazing creatures were searched this year.

Unfortunately, many of these creatures are at risk in the wild. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the blue whale, giant panda and several tapir species are all endangered. Many animals around the world are threatened by habitat destruction, poaching, and human encroachment.

See if any of the animals you searched for made the top 10, and vote for your favorites. Be sure to check out Google's list of the overall top 10 trending searches of 2011. Some of them may surprise you!

For more on these animals, check out these videos of giant pandas and bald eagles.

List courtesy of Google.

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For more on the best of 2011, visit bestof2011.aol.com

Comments

[For Tomorrow]

01:19 AM on 12/31/2011

These very animals (the ones adored by so many internet-goers) are slipping away before our eyes...Become involved and help protect these animals before it is too late! Visit our organization's blog to learn more about current conservation issues, join in the discussion to formulate solutions, and to find ways to get involved!

http://4-2morrow.blogspot.com/

[Lechiffre]

02:00 PM on 03/15/2012

U need to contact the trumps

[bad spelling grammar]

01:30 PM on 12/27/2011

With only 3200 left in the wild you would think Tigers would be included. Either way I am glad Google is promoting exotic animals and conservation instead of celebrates and consumer goods.

[mudshark12]

12:45 PM on 12/25/2011

After oogling the kitties, pretty Bald Eagle and the other animals; I recommend treating yourself to the next list of 10 colorful animals as they got some in there I wasn't aware existed and are exquisitely beautiful. Merry Christmas!

[floodberg]

03:19 PM on 12/24/2011

I FELL OFF THE LIST?

Don't people love us anymore? 

Snow Leopard Trust still loves us, and they have great, innovative programs to keep us in our own habitats, like farmers' insurance which stop both poachers and get the community vested in protecting us!

SnowLeopard.org

[Bigdaddy Milkman]

09:51 AM on 12/25/2011

I absolutely adore ALL cats, but have to admit, the Snow Leopard is the most beautiful of them all. (with the Clouded Leopard coming in a very close second.
I will cry when the last Snow Leopard is gone.

[floodberg]

02:59 PM on 12/25/2011

I've no intention of going anywhere except to find a mate and make baby snow leopards!  I just loan out my pic to this human geek because he loves us and supports SLT's farmers' insurance program, which means we don't have farmers killing us anymore in our own habitat, and they don't let poachers do it either.  We're hanging on, but we could sure use some help!

Hey, those clouded leopards are my cousins and also in trouble, but I'm hoping you humans out there make sure they get the support they need, too!  They live kinda far away and we don't get much face time, but they're really good lookin'!!  I'm a lot bigger than my avatar now, and I have to say that if they were here, it would be really serious competition for the ladies.

[mudshark12]

12:36 PM on 12/25/2011

We must continue our effort to ensure the survival of ALL endangered species which includes the Snow Leopard. This is a Zeitgiest List of Google searches and its my guess that not enough folks on the internet used Google to search for the Snow Leopard which caused it to be dropped from the list.

Personally I really enjoyed the baby Ocelots as I find any kind of cat irresistible.

[floodberg]

03:03 PM on 12/25/2011

Thanks, Mudshark12!  Due to SLT, we're doing pretty well in our own habitat.  Farmers don't have to kill us if we accidentally eat their livestock because SLT insures their stock, and they don't let poachers do it either!  So we're in better shape than most cats.

Those ocelots are distant cousins, and a good lookin' bunch they are! How they can live without snowy mountains I don't know...but I know Santa stops there, too 'cause I asked him last night.  And in case you're wondering, Santa arrived with 8 tiny reindeer and Rudolph, and left with them all in the same condition!  Hope he was good to you and yours!

[Gringostan]

12:23 PM on 12/23/2011

Those kitties look like my Pupule; and probably just as tame…

[mudshark12]

12:37 PM on 12/25/2011

Ocelots can be domesticated.

[Gringostan]

01:10 PM on 12/25/2011

Sir; you have not met my cat. I have more scars from Pupule then operations; but I wouldn’t trade her for the world…