8 Once Common Animals That We'll Never See Again

1. Amur Leopard

Amur leopards are teetering on the brink of extinction. With the establishment of the Land of the Leopard National Park, in conjunction with other conservation efforts, we can now start to focus on how to begin bringing them back

2. Rhinoceros

These majestic animals are threatened primarily by poaching for their horns, which are highly valued in some cultures for their supposed medicinal properties and as status symbols.

3. Orangutan

Orangutans are native to the Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra. There are approximately 41,000 Bornean and 7,500 Sumatran orangutans left in the wild. Although both species share characteristic shaggy reddish fur

4. Gorilla

Western Lowland gorillas are slightly smaller with brown-grey fur, auburn chests, wider skulls, pronounced brow ridges, and small ears. Gorillas face significant threats from habitat loss, poaching, and disease.

5. Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill turtles inhabit tropical oceans, predominantly in coral reefs around the world. They are known for their distinctive pattern of overlapping scales, making their shells highly valuable and sold as tortoiseshell in markets.

6. Saola

Saola, meaning spindle horns in Vietnamese, is related to cattle but resembles an antelope. Found only in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and Laos, the Saola is one of the world's rarest large mammals.

7. Sumatran Elephant

Poaching for the illegal ivory market has further strained their population ratio. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these gentle giants from extinction.

8. Sunda Tiger

According to the WWF, there are only about 400 remaining in the wild. Habitat destruction and poaching are the primary threats to their survival. Conservation initiatives focus on protecting their natural habitat and preventing illegal hunting.