From one of the rarest primates on earth,to the most endangered marine mammal in the world, these are 11 of the Most Critically Endangered Animals!\r
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Red Wolf -- Did you know that by the 1970s, the pure red wolf was thought to have gone extinct in the wild? They once inhabited the US, from Texas to New York and was considered a top predator within its historic habitat of swamps, forests and coastal prairies. Human hunters wiped out their numbers, and habitat loss was thought to have finished off the animals. But since a population was reintroduced, the red wolf is thought to number around 50 to 75 individuals. Today, theyre confined to a region of North Carolina, where theyre protected by law.\r
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Amur (ah-MOO-r) Leopard -- This animal is native to southeastern Russia and northeast China. Theyre differentiated from other subspecies by their thick, spot-covered fur … and for their long limbs that allow them to easily adapt to deep snow. Threats to their population include poaching, deforestation, and industrial development projects. As their numbers decline, inbreeding is a potential threat as the gene pool is steadily diminished … resulting in a loss of genetic diversity. Today, numbers of this critically endangered species is estimated at around 70 individuals.\r
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White Headed Langur (luhng-GOO-r) - -- There are two recognized subspecies of this critter -- one lives on Cat Ba (kaht-bah) Island in Vietnam … the other is found in Guangxi (gwan-see), China. The one found in Vietnam is referred to as the Cat Ba (kaht-bah) Langur (luhng-GOO-r). Its considered to be one of the worlds rarest primates. The creatures have long tails which can measure more than 1.5 times their body size, and can weigh around 9 kilograms. They live high up in caves and trees of the limestone forest. But a booming tourism industry on Cat Ba (kaht-bah) Island is threatening their habitat. And the animals have long been hunted and poached for use in concoctions thought to provide health benefits. Their numbers have declined by some 80% over the past three generations. Today, theres an estimated population of around 70 individuals. No wonder the Cat Ba Langur (kaht-bah luhng-GOO-r) was deemed one of the worlds 25 Most Endangered Primates.\r
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Saiga (sy-guh) Antelope -- This creature is found in one area of Russia and three areas of Kazakhstan, where about 90% of the population is located. But it once roamed across a vast range of the Eurasian steppes, from the Carpathian Mountains to Mongolia. Evidence of their existence has also been found in North America during the Pleistocene. The Saiga (sy-guh) antelope is notable for its unusual, bloated nostrils that are closely spaced and face downward. The unique configuration of their nose enables the animal to cool its blood and filter out dust. In the winter, it heats the air before its taken into the lungs. Only males possess horns … they can reach 15 inches long and have up to 20 pronounced rings. The animals are critically endangered due to hunting, and demand for their horns for use in traditional medicines … that demand caused the antelope to become extinct in China. In new, around 200,000 of the antelopes suddenly died within a two week span … that was over 70% of their species. The cause was thought to be pasteurellosis (pas-ter-uh-LOH-sis)… a berial disease that can also affect humans. \r
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Vaquita -- This rare species of porpoise is thought to be the worlds most endangered cetacean. Its native to the northern area of the Gulf of California. Theyre distinguished by dark rings around their eyes and patching on their lips. Females, which are larger than the males, grow to nearly 6 feet long … but overall, the Vaquita is considered the smallest porpoise. A major reason for their population decline is the price of illegal gillnet fishing. Gillnets involve a type of netting that prevents fish escaping by catching them by the gills -- and not letting go. While Vaquitas arent the ive targets of gillnets, they can become ensnared and drown all the same. Other threats include habitat loss, pesticide pollution and natural predators. Only 60 individuals are estimated to exist. Without great conservation measures, experts think the Vaquita could be extinct within 5 years … Making it the fifth marine mammal species to vanish in modern times.
