7 Endangered Species and where to find them

A suave fur coat, a soft and plush wall carpet made entirely out of pure Amur fur, a handbag with the skin of the Amur leopard, etc. These are the materialistic things the Amur leopard has been largely hunted down for. The Amur Leopard, unlike the savanna leopards, have adapted to the temperate forests of the far east corner of Russia. A leopard that has garnered world attention by the names of “the Korean Leopard,” “The Manchurian Leopard,” and “The Far East Leopard.” According to the latest survey or population census in 2017, only 100 Amur Leopards are walking this earth. This makes these endangered animals one of the most critically endangered animals. The rarest felines, the Amur leopards have been given safe asylum in the land of the Leopard National Park in Russia. This 650,000-acre national park has been a preserving ground for these rare animals. The Primorsky Krai region of Russia, where this national park is located, also serves as a feline breeding ground. This increases the possibility of the Amur population to grow. The National park encloses up to 60% of the Amur Leopard Population. The area also has a hotel and a museum that serves as a tourist spot under regulations. However, this is a chance to be among the world’s rarest feline.

A juxtapose in reality; a big oil palm plantation on one side and a massive rainforest on another. The Tabin Wildlife resort in Sabah, Malaysia. Despite being clouded with the plantation from three sides, the nature preserve is quite massive and has a startling amount of biodiversity. It includes a wide variety of flora and fauna. Some of the animals occurring in this region include -Sunda clouded leopards, Bornean Orangutans, Sumatran rhinos, the Bornean elephants, and many more subspecies of different animals. However, the loss of ecosystem due to capitalist activities near the reserve has led to deforestation, and in-turn, over half of Sabah’s Orangutans, have been lost. The decline in their population has put them into the endangered animal's bracket. International, as well as national agencies, seek to preserve the orangutans in the Tabin wildlife reserve. These rare animals move around in groups. Troops of pig-tailed macaques can be seen loitering around in the rainforest during wildlife safaris. The orangutans find themselves amongst their natural habitat in Tabin. However, with the increase in oil palm plantation, their future is still undecided.

A landmark preservation park, The Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, has been known as the birthplace for rhino preservation. The park’s commendable efforts towards rhino preservation and conservation have brought back the rhinoceros population from the brink of extinction. The Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park is the home to the African Big Five. The big five include -Elephants, rhinoceros (both the black-hook lipped and the white - square-lipped), lion, leopard, and the cape buffalo. Due to the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park’s historical conservation efforts, it has become a source of the world’s largest white rhino population. During the 1950s, when the white rhinos were critically endangered, Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park was made into a game reserve. The white rhinos are some of the most iconic animals to be found in the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park. This park has been known to preserve the “ waltzing Matilda,” a black rhinoceros that was world-famous for its swaggering gait. The Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park has a wide variety of animals scattered around in the two parks. They allow you to gape at the extensive rolling hilly topography of the parks. The Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park is a must-visit to see the iconic white and black rhinoceros up and about their natural habitats.

The African elephant or the African bush elephant is a vulnerable and rare animal in many regions of the world. The elephant weighs up to more than 7 tones and reaches to a height of about 3.3 meters to the shoulder. Over many years, the population of the African elephant had earlier declined to an estimated 120 in four locations. However, in the past few years, the number of African bush elephants has sprung due to the efforts in conservation and preservation by two major camps in Africa, namely, The Kruger National park in South Africa and The Addo elephant. These places have preserved these endangered animals; as a result, their numbers have shot up to 10,000 in more than 40 different locations to date. Different concepts in the Kruger National Park have been introduced for elephant management and research. These include immunocontraception, elephants under satellite surveillance, Elephant collaring safari, etc. However, these mighty animals make quite a name for themselves in the commercial industry for their tusks-ivory, etc. These endangered animals have to be preserved and cared for at all times.

The Virunga National park is home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas and other rare animals. It preserves their habitat and is a barrier between the militia, smugglers, etc. who kill for profit and these magnificent creatures. The detrimental human activity that has put the mountain gorillas on the critically endangered list includes poaching, civil wars, and habitat destruction, making these subspecies the most vulnerable and endangered species of the gorilla family. These animals have been poached for the reasons pertaining to Bushmeat trade, traditional medicines, and a source of food. The worlds remaining mountain gorillas can be found in three main sites - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, and lastly, our prime destination, the Virunga National park. There are gorilla treks initiated by the park to meet different subspecies of gorillas. The efficient and highly trained rangers show you the natural dwellings of these mountain gorillas from great vantage points and a safe distance. There are special human masks allotted to the visitors to prevent the spread of Hunan disease to these animals. The mountain gorilla’s population has drastically increased from 620 individuals in 1984 to almost 1,004 individuals currently. However, people have become more enthusiastic about these creatures, and their conservation efforts have helped yield a suitable population of mountain gorillas.

One of the most adored animals in the world, these monochromic fuzzy bears, has adapted to the cool, wet regions in and around china. The population has been under the threat of critical endangerment due to detrimental human expansive tendencies. With the advent of the capitalist and developmental mindset, the growing concrete structures have destroyed the habitats of the Pandas in China. The panda is endangered because of the loss of habitat, which also affects the availability of food, mainly, Bamboo. Since bamboo has a seasonal differentiation, even if one type of bamboo is in shortage, there is an imminent threat of starvation to the Giant Pandas. Chengdu, China, has several breeding and conservation setups, especially for giant panda preservation. The Giant panda has been downgraded from the “endangered animal category” to that of the “vulnerable” category. These pandas have been given asylum in the Cheng du Research Base of the Giant Panda breeding, Dujiangyan Panda Center, Bifengxia Giant Panda Base, etc. With increasing conservation efforts, the base of just 6 giant pandas in the wild, up to more than 150 pandas. This has only been possible due to the long periods of successful breeding.

A sight to behold, the majestic white towering ten feet tall polar bears of Manitoba, Canada, are one of a kind. These polar bears huddle up near the Hudson River bay, waiting for its ice to break up so that hunting for the ring seal is easy and efficient. While the pregnant polar bears go inland into dens and caves. Churchill, Manitoba in Canada, is the only inhabited settlement that gets to observe these white majesties. The Polar bears around the western Hudson River bay have been estimated to be around 935. Manitoba is committed to taking action against any atrocities against these wonderful and irreplaceable species. The polar bear protection act has listed these species under the endangered species act. Hence Manitoba works towards providing preservation as well as sustainability to these creatures and their natural habitats. This place enables the polar bears to find alternative sources of food and not be dependent on the residents as well as managing staff for a constant source and supply of food. These rare animals are under the status of “ special concern” by the COSEWIC.

There are various ways in which we can contribute as woke citizens of the global village to these endangered animals. These endangered species need our assistance to help preserve their natural habitats and stop the decline of their populations. Many endangered species are prey to the developmental agendas of national governments. This has been a major cause of the loss of habitat for so many species around the world. It is estimated that one out of every 5 species in the world, whether it’s the bird community or marine life, has now reached the brink of extinction. These species have to be preserved at all costs. Consistent conservation, sustainability, and preservation of these species is the only way to help increase their populations. There are various ways to help these species; however, if we stay uneducated about their plights, we are of no use. Spreading awareness and helping people understand the significance of the effects that cause loss of habitat, endangerment to these species is imperative. Multi-national corporations must take upon themselves, and they need to build alternative and efficient sources of food or habitat for the land they encroach upon. Here are some of the ways through which we can make a difference.

Knowledge about these species, and they want to spread information for environmental benefits is a major helping hand towards the preservation and conservation of the rare animals wandering this earth. We must know someone’s problems and their plight, to be able to help them. General awareness about nature and environment etiquette, the responsibilities we hold towards our surroundings - everything is included in this area of research. Only when we know about their climate, their natural habitat, their habits, their likes, and dislikes, will we be able to help them, either increase their population or help preserve them. Animals all over the world are falling short, and if we don’t educate our young siblings or even our elder uncles and aunts about the imperative actions, we must take to save the animal kingdom. There must be proper education being imparted about these endangered animals as well as methods to preserve them and their natural habitats. Schools, Universities, Companies, Industrial setups - all these places must be places where we learn about accountability. The responsibility we have towards our environment and that every action against these species, determines the fate of our race.

The only real earning happens with experience and practical lessons. Wildlife Parks are a great way to learn about the various species that surround us, their needs, their way of living, and what climatic conditions they are suited to. There are over 4000 national wildlife parks all over the globe. This is a startling amount since each continent house more than 100 national parks. The wildlife parks in some places are bigger than in most countries. This points to the fact that we live in a world of diverse flora and fauna. However, these wildlife parks have been encroached upon by big multinational corporations or plantation owners, thereby, decreasing the sufficient amount of land required for undisturbed growth of the fall and fauna. There are diverse ecosystems around the world. Some of the most popular wildlife parks include-Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica , Galapagos National Park in Ecuador , Grand Canyon National Park in the United States of America, Great Barrier Reef National Park in Australia, Jim Corbett National Park in India , Kruger National Park in South Africa , Manu National Park in Peru, Tarangire National Park in Tanzania , Manú National park in Peru and Tikal National Park in Guatemala etc.

The house you live in, by the natural social contract is a basic necessity and your innate right. Therefore, housing for everyone is their innate right or inborn necessity. Therefore, whether it’s man or animal, their habitat is essential for their development and growth. Since the advent of industrialization, large scale forest clearing, oil dumps in oceans, increased levels of air, water, and land pollution has forced animals to migrate to unknown destinations. As important as it is to preserve the wildlife, it is equally imperative that we preserve their habitat as well. Their habitat is a source of food and nutrition, their safe space, their entire life. Imagine uprooting lives for the sake of money. This is exactly what has been happening to the animal kingdom for more than 30 years now. We must educate and practice the conservation of wildlife as well as their natural dwellings.

The environment gives a variety of resources to us, whether it’s in the form of milk and lactose or wood. However, the never-ending greed of humans has led to over-exploitation of resources from animals, nature, etc. In this process, we end up killing, maiming, hurting dozens of wildlife creatures for our benefits. The poultry sector alone causes more harm to wildlife than any other sector. With the growing demand for meat in countries, there has been a constant decline of meat-producing animals. We must endeavor to stop such actions against wildlife.

Endangered animals have become the top agenda for many International Ngo’s as well as international institutions such as the WWF or the IUCN. There is a growing need to preserve these species as well as their habitats; otherwise, we might experience mass extinctions. These large-scale extinctions will harm not only them but also the human race. We must act fast to undo the damage that has already been caused.