Yes, there IS a list (regretfully) and it’s easy to find out. According to WWF / IUCN Red List – here it is….
1. JAVAN RHINOS
– hunting and habitat loss
2. AMUR LEOPARD
– The remaining Amur leopards face multiple threats to their survival, including habitat loss and fragmentation, prey scarcity and transportation infrastructure such as roads.
3. SUNDA ISLAND TIGER
-Shrinking habitat
4. MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
The Virunga Landscape has a history of political instability along with high levels of poverty in the region. This poses a substantial threat to mountain gorilla numbers as people have moved into areas closer to these great apes for food, shelter and space—over 500,000 people live near mountain gorilla habitat at present.
5. TAPANULI ORANGUTAN
Today, these tree-dwelling primates are critically endangered with fewer than 800 individuals in the wild, making them the most endangered great ape species in the world. The loss of habitat is one of the main threats to its survival as tropical forests are being replaced by agriculture, mining, and hydroelectric and geothermal development.
6. YANGTZE FINLESS PORPOISE
The Yangtze Finless Porpoise is the odd one out of its family as it is the only living freshwater porpoise found in the world. This aquatic mammal currently resides in the Yangtze River in China and is listed as a critically endangered species.
7. BLACK RHINOS
Between 1960 and 1995, black rhino populations suffered dramatic losses in their numbers due to large-scale poaching.
8. AFRICAN FOREST ELEPHANT
The main reason behind the decline is due to poaching, which is frequent, widespread and intensive, especially in Central Africa.
9. SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN
Sumatran orangutans face similar threats to their Bornean and Tapanuli counterparts. From logging, agricultural plantations, and expanding infrastructure development to the illicit pet trade.
10. HAWKSBILL TURTLES
In the last 30 years, the worldwide populations of hawksbill turtles have reduced by at least 80% as a consequence of accidental capture in fishing gears, nesting habitat degradation, coral reef damage and the illegal trade of hawksbill shells and products.
The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Far more than a list of species and their status, it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyze action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, critical to protecting the natural resources we need to survive.
- More information here
