Several animals are currently critically endangered and facing extinction due to threats such as poaching, habitat loss, climate change, and human activities. Some of the most endangered animals in 2024 include:
- Javan Rhino : Critically endangered due to poaching and illegal trade, now only found in one national park in Indonesia.
- Black Rhino : Threatened by poaching, habitat loss, and climate change.
- Northern White Rhino : Critically endangered with very few individuals left, threatened by poaching and human conflict.
- Sumatran Rhino : Facing population decline due to small population size, human disturbance, and poaching.
- Amur Leopard : Only about 100 remain, threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and inbreeding.
- Orangutans (Sumatran, Bornean, and Tapanuli): Critically endangered due to hunting, fires, and habitat destruction from palm oil plantations.
- North Atlantic Right Whale : About 350 remain, threatened by vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement, noise pollution, and climate change.
- Vaquita : The smallest cetacean species, with only about 18 individuals left, threatened by fishing and habitat degradation.
- Red-fronted Macaw : Critically endangered with 134-272 individuals, threatened by habitat loss and illegal trapping.
- Pygmy Three-toed Sloth : Only 2,000-2,500 remain, threatened by human activity and deforestation.
- Sunda Tiger : Fewer than 400 remain, threatened by deforestation and poaching.
- Yangtze Finless Porpoise : Between 1,000 and 1,800 remain, threatened by fishing gear entanglement, boat strikes, and pollution.
- Mountain Gorillas and other gorilla subspecies : Critically endangered due to poaching, habitat loss, disease, and human conflict.
Additionally, climate change is exacerbating the threats to many species, causing habitat loss and disrupting ecosystems, which may push more species toward extinction in the near future
