1. Top 10 EndangeredTop 10 Endangered
SpeciesSpecies
Around the worldAround the world
2. The Most EndangeredThe Most Endangered
Species is the BlackSpecies is the Black
RhinoRhinoSince 1970, the Black Rhino population, native to southern and east
Africa, has declined by 90% to less than 3,000. They are killed mostly
for their horns. Trade of Rhinos has been banned for more than twenty
years! Although having banned trading of the species, there still
continues to be a great demand for Rhino parts.
3. TheThe NextNext isis GiantGiant PandaPanda
Within about three short years, Giant Pandas could be facing extinction.
Fewer than 1,000 remain in their native habitat of China! The main
reason for their decline is due to loss of natural habitat.
4. Number Three is TigerNumber Three is Tiger
These really cool cats are native to tropical zones in Southeast Asia and
temperate regions like the Russian far East. Less than 6,000 tigers
remain in the wild! The worst threat to this species is for body parts and
bones used in traditional Asian medicines.
5. Number Four is BelugaNumber Four is Beluga
SturgeonSturgeon
These ancient living fish fossils are found in the Caspian Sea. Valued
throughout the world by connoisseurs for their superior quality caviar,
poaching is out of control due to the excessive demand and high prices
paid for Sturgeons’ “pearl-like” caviar
6. Number Five isNumber Five is
GoldensealGoldensealThe perennial Goldenseal herb is favored by naturopathists for its ability
to heal numerous ailments from hemorrhoids to allergies. Home in the
hardwood forests of North America, the demand for this cure-all
perennial herb has recently leaped more than 30%
7. Number Six isNumber Six is Alligator
Snapping TurtleThe alligator snapping turtle is often associated with, but not closely
related to the common snapping turtle.
Prized by turtle trappers and dealers for its rare meat, Alligator
Snapping Turtles, the largest of freshwater turtles from North America,
is quickly being depleted due to increased shipments to many
international world markets including Asia.
8. Number Seven isNumber Seven is
Hawksbill TurtleHawksbill Turtle
Found mainly around tropical reefs, the three foot (one meter) length
Hawksbill Turtle species, named for its distinctive snout, is becoming
extremely vulnerable due to their slow reproduction rates and high
volume of illegal trade for the prized jewel-like "tortoise shell.
9. Number Eight is Big LeafNumber Eight is Big Leaf
MahoganyMahogany
Demand for the red colored wood goes unabated because of worldwide
consumer demand for quality mahogany hardwood furniture. Although
mahogany trees are widely distributed in tropical forests from Mexico to
the Amazon Basin, the species grows naturally only as individual trees
rather than in groups of large forest stands. Wholesale stripping of
Amazon forests has resulted in perhaps 70 per cent of the world's
supply being depleted.
10. Number Nine is Green-Number Nine is Green-
Cheeked ParrotCheeked Parrot
Native to Mexico, this colorful parrot species, with the ability toNative to Mexico, this colorful parrot species, with the ability to
mimic the human voice, has been significantly reduced inmimic the human voice, has been significantly reduced in
numbers due to a hugh demand for these lovely pet birds,numbers due to a hugh demand for these lovely pet birds,
especially from the U.S. Even after prohibiting the sale of theseespecially from the U.S. Even after prohibiting the sale of these
green-cheeked birds, droves of species are still being illegallygreen-cheeked birds, droves of species are still being illegally
traded across the Mexico/US border.traded across the Mexico/US border.
11. Last, but Not LeastLast, but Not Least
Number Ten is the MakoNumber Ten is the Mako
SharkSharkThe Mako Shark is highly sought for its tender meat, and especially in Asian Markets,The Mako Shark is highly sought for its tender meat, and especially in Asian Markets,
for their shark fins which have even greater value for medicinal purposes. Some of thefor their shark fins which have even greater value for medicinal purposes. Some of the
species are merely stripped for their prized fins by the international fishing fleets andspecies are merely stripped for their prized fins by the international fishing fleets and
then are trown back into the depths, left to die.then are trown back into the depths, left to die.
Fins are now among the world’s most expensive fisheries product! VAlues veryFins are now among the world’s most expensive fisheries product! VAlues very
according to color, size, and thickness of fins.according to color, size, and thickness of fins.
In Hong Kong, shark fins soup can fetch almost US $100 for a single serving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!In Hong Kong, shark fins soup can fetch almost US $100 for a single serving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wholesale pricing for find can range from a low of US $40 to more the $5050 perWholesale pricing for find can range from a low of US $40 to more the $5050 per
kilo!!!!!!!!!!kilo!!!!!!!!!!
As with most shark species, Mako Sharks are particularly susceptible to overfishAs with most shark species, Mako Sharks are particularly susceptible to overfish
because they have long life cycles, resulting in the species being fished twice as fastbecause they have long life cycles, resulting in the species being fished twice as fast
as they are able to produce. Mako Sharks mature in seven to twelve years and onlyas they are able to produce. Mako Sharks mature in seven to twelve years and only
then produce small litters of baby sharks in their lifetimethen produce small litters of baby sharks in their lifetime