Top 10 Endangered Species

Wildlife is being exploited to such extents that species now feel endangered and they need to be protected. The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) has listed the top 10 most endangered species in the world.

1. Black Rhino
It is a native to southern and east Africa. The black rhino population has decreased by 90% since the beginning of 1970. At present there are less than 3000 rhinos. Since they are killed mostly for their valuable horns, the trade of black rhinos has been banned from over 20 years now.

2. Giant Panda
This one is native to China and at present only a few less than 1000 are alive. Poaching and a loss of habitat are the reasons why this species is becoming extinct.

3. Tiger
Tigers are native to South East Asia and Russia. There are less than 6000 tigers left in the world today. Poaching of tiger body parts and the use of tiger bones in making Asian medicines are the reasons why tigers feel endangered today.

4. Beluga Sturgeon
These are ancient living fish fossils found only in the Caspian Sea. They have very high quality pearl like caviar. Poaching has been banned but it is beyond control to ensure they stay alive as markets are ready to pay very high prices for these.

5. Goldenseal
This is a rare herb that is believed to cure a range of ailments like hemorrhoids and allergies. They are found only in the hardwood forests of North America. Recently the demand for goldenseal has increased by 30%.

6. Alligator Snapping Turtle
The alligator snapping turtle brings very rare meat that is highly priced. It is the largest freshwater turtle known and native to North America. The number of these turtles is fast depleting due to international markets shipping them.

7. Hawksbill Turtle
This turtle is found mostly around tropical reefs. It is about three feet in length and has a distinctive snout and do not reproduce fast. Since they are traded illegally at a very high rate, the species is also nearing extinction. The shell of this tortoise is prized like jewel. No wonder it figures in the list of top ten endangered species.

8. Big Leaf Mahogany
Mahogany is known to have very good quality wood and is used widely in order to make furniture. These trees are distributed from the Amazon Basin till up to Mexico and their red wood is much cherished. However the trees grow individually in forests and not in groups. The inconsiderate depletion of the trees has caused a 70% fall in mahogany trees over the past few years.

9. Green Cheeked Parrot
This one is native to Mexico and can mimic the human voice. They make lovely pets and thus have a huge demand especially in the United States. Even though the trade of these birds has been prohibited, the same continues even today causing even more harm to the species.

10. Mako Shark
This one is a wanted species for its tender meat and majority of the consumers are from markets in Asia. The fins of the shark are also highly valued for medicinal purposes. Sometimes, the fins are stripped off the sharks and the sharks are left only to die in the sea.