Animals & PetsAnimals & Pets

Endangered AnimalsEndangered Animals

Endangered animalsEndangered animals     animals whose      animals whose existence as a species on Earth is existence as a species on Earth is threatened in some waythreatened in some way

The new list adds over 200 animal species The new list adds over 200 animal species worldwide to the most critically worldwide to the most critically endangered list, including 11 mammals, endangered list, including 11 mammals, 14 birds and 38 reptiles.14 birds and 38 reptiles.

Nature Reserves in ChinaNature Reserves in China

With her vast area, diverse landscapes and climatic With her vast area, diverse landscapes and climatic variations, China harbors a rich wildlife heritage. The variations, China harbors a rich wildlife heritage. The Chinese government and conservation organizations Chinese government and conservation organizations have paid great attention to natural reserve construction have paid great attention to natural reserve construction as a means of protecting the natural environment and as a means of protecting the natural environment and resources. by the end of 1995, 779 nature reserves of all resources. by the end of 1995, 779 nature reserves of all 3 categories (forest wild animal and natural historical 3 categories (forest wild animal and natural historical heritage) and 750 national forest area (a total area of heritage) and 750 national forest area (a total area of 78,450 thousand hectares: 8.7% of national territory) 78,450 thousand hectares: 8.7% of national territory) were set up to preserve the unique fauna and flora and were set up to preserve the unique fauna and flora and serve as basis for scientific research, education and serve as basis for scientific research, education and tourism. tourism.

Thanks to these efforts, some endangered Thanks to these efforts, some endangered species including Cathaya argyrophylla, species including Cathaya argyrophylla, Camellia chrysantha, Golden monkey, Takin, Eld Camellia chrysantha, Golden monkey, Takin, Eld deer, Chinese alligator and crested ibis have deer, Chinese alligator and crested ibis have begun a gradual recovery and steady population begun a gradual recovery and steady population growth. growth.

While consolidating the established natural While consolidating the established natural reserves, China will continue building new reserves, China will continue building new reserves. This is a great project of natural reserves. This is a great project of natural conservation to which China has always been conservation to which China has always been committedcommitted

Giant PandaGiant Panda

Golden Monkey Golden Monkey

Snow Leopard Snow Leopard

Crested Ibis Crested Ibis

Red-crownedRed-crownedCrane Crane

The DholeThe Dhole

The Dhole The Dhole In the jungles of south and southeast Asia there lives a In the jungles of south and southeast Asia there lives a

little known member of the dog family, which has been little known member of the dog family, which has been described as the "red dog" in Rudyard Kipling's described as the "red dog" in Rudyard Kipling's The The Jungle BookJungle Book. The "red dog", the dhole, or the Asiatic wild . The "red dog", the dhole, or the Asiatic wild dog dog (Cuon alpinus)(Cuon alpinus), is an animal which lives in packs. , is an animal which lives in packs. According to Kipling, it was so feared that even the wolf According to Kipling, it was so feared that even the wolf pack featured in the story had to move out of an area pack featured in the story had to move out of an area invaded by a dhole pack. Of course in most parts of invaded by a dhole pack. Of course in most parts of Asia, wolf and dhole packs do not live together and Asia, wolf and dhole packs do not live together and therefore the encounter was purely fictional. Dhole packs therefore the encounter was purely fictional. Dhole packs are feared by many inhabitants of the jungle, including are feared by many inhabitants of the jungle, including spotted and sambar deer, which they prey upon. Even spotted and sambar deer, which they prey upon. Even the big cats of the Asian jungles, the leopard and the the big cats of the Asian jungles, the leopard and the tiger, will avoid contact with a dhole pack.tiger, will avoid contact with a dhole pack.

Asian Elephant Asian Elephant (Elephas (Elephas maximus)maximus)

The Asian elephant is classified as a member of The Asian elephant is classified as a member of the order the order Proboscidea (Elephants)Proboscidea (Elephants) and is a and is a member of the family member of the family ElephantidaeElephantidae. Also known . Also known as the Indian elephant, it stands up to ten feet as the Indian elephant, it stands up to ten feet high and weighs up to 10,000 pounds. The high and weighs up to 10,000 pounds. The Asian elephant is classified as an endangered Asian elephant is classified as an endangered species due to a reduction of at least 50% of the species due to a reduction of at least 50% of the Asian elephant population over the last three Asian elephant population over the last three generations based on a decline in area of generations based on a decline in area of occupancy and levels of exploitation. The Asian occupancy and levels of exploitation. The Asian elephant has four subspecies: the Indian, elephant has four subspecies: the Indian, Ceylon, Sumatran, and Malaysian elephants.Ceylon, Sumatran, and Malaysian elephants.

Asian ElephantAsian Elephant

Golden Lion Tamarin Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)(Leontopithecus rosalia)

The golden lion tamarin is classified as a member of the The golden lion tamarin is classified as a member of the order order PrimatesPrimates and is a member of the family and is a member of the family CallitrichidaeCallitrichidae. The golden lion tamarin's head and body . The golden lion tamarin's head and body are about one foot long, and the tail is slightly shorter. It are about one foot long, and the tail is slightly shorter. It weighs about one and a half pounds. The golden lion weighs about one and a half pounds. The golden lion tamarin is classified as a critically endangered species tamarin is classified as a critically endangered species due to the fact that it only exists in severely fragmented due to the fact that it only exists in severely fragmented subpopulations consisting of no more than fifty mature subpopulations consisting of no more than fifty mature tamarins each, and that there has been continuing tamarins each, and that there has been continuing decline in the golden lion tamarin population. The golden decline in the golden lion tamarin population. The golden lion tamarin is one of the most endangered of all lion tamarin is one of the most endangered of all mammals.mammals.

Red Wolf Red Wolf (Canis rufus)(Canis rufus)

The red wolf is classified as a member of The red wolf is classified as a member of the order the order Carnivora (Carnivores)Carnivora (Carnivores) and is a and is a member of the family member of the family CanidaeCanidae. The red . The red wolf is classified as a critically endangered wolf is classified as a critically endangered species due to the estimation that its species due to the estimation that its population consists of less than fifty population consists of less than fifty mature red wolves.mature red wolves.

Red WolfRed Wolf

Texas Ocelot Texas Ocelot (Leopardus (Leopardus pardalis albescens)pardalis albescens)

The Texas ocelot is classified as a The Texas ocelot is classified as a member of the order member of the order Carnivora Carnivora (Carnivores)(Carnivores) and is a member of the family and is a member of the family FelidaeFelidae. It is classified as an endangered . It is classified as an endangered species due to an estimated population of species due to an estimated population of less than 250 mature individuals. The less than 250 mature individuals. The Texas ocelot can be found in Mexico and Texas ocelot can be found in Mexico and the United States.the United States.

Texas OcelotTexas Ocelot

Giant Panda Giant Panda (Ailuropoda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)melanoleuca)

The giant panda is classified as a member of the order The giant panda is classified as a member of the order Carnivora (Carnivores)Carnivora (Carnivores) and is a member of the family and is a member of the family ProcyonidaeProcyonidae. The male giant panda stands up to five . The male giant panda stands up to five feet tall, and weighs up to 265 pounds. The female giant feet tall, and weighs up to 265 pounds. The female giant panda is smaller and weighs less. The giant panda is panda is smaller and weighs less. The giant panda is classified as an endangered species due to the fact that classified as an endangered species due to the fact that it only exists in severely fragmented subpopulations it only exists in severely fragmented subpopulations consisting of up to 250 mature adults, and that there has consisting of up to 250 mature adults, and that there has been continuing decline in the area of habitat. The giant been continuing decline in the area of habitat. The giant panda feeds mainly on bamboo, even though it is panda feeds mainly on bamboo, even though it is classified as a carnivore.classified as a carnivore.

Giant PandaGiant Panda

Lesser Panda Lesser Panda (Ailurus fulgens)(Ailurus fulgens)

The lesser panda is classified as a The lesser panda is classified as a member of the order member of the order Carnivora Carnivora (Carnivores)(Carnivores) and is a member of the family and is a member of the family UrsidaeUrsidae. It is classified as an endangered . It is classified as an endangered species due to an estimated population of species due to an estimated population of less than 2500 mature individuals and a less than 2500 mature individuals and a continuing decline in numbers of mature continuing decline in numbers of mature individuals because of severly fragmented individuals because of severly fragmented populations. Lesser pandas can be found populations. Lesser pandas can be found in southern Asia.in southern Asia.

Lesser Panda Lesser Panda (Red panda)(Red panda)

Broom's Pygmy-possum Broom's Pygmy-possum (Burramys parvus)(Burramys parvus)

The Broom's Pygmy-possum is classified as a member The Broom's Pygmy-possum is classified as a member of the order of the order Marsupialia (Marsupials)Marsupialia (Marsupials) and is a member of and is a member of the family the family BurramyidaeBurramyidae. It is also known as the mountain . It is also known as the mountain pygmy-possum. The Broom's pygmy-possum is pygmy-possum. The Broom's pygmy-possum is classified as an endangered species due to an estimated classified as an endangered species due to an estimated extent of occurrence that is less than 5000 km², a extent of occurrence that is less than 5000 km², a severely fragmented population, and a projected decline severely fragmented population, and a projected decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurance, quality of in area of occupancy, extent of occurance, quality of habitat, number of subpopulations, and number of habitat, number of subpopulations, and number of mature individuals. The Broom's pygmy-possum can be mature individuals. The Broom's pygmy-possum can be found in Australia.found in Australia.

Broom's Pygmy-possumBroom's Pygmy-possum

Short-tailed Chinchilla Short-tailed Chinchilla (Chinchilla brevicaudata)(Chinchilla brevicaudata)

The short-tailed chinchilla is classified as a The short-tailed chinchilla is classified as a member of the order member of the order Rodentia (Rodents)Rodentia (Rodents) and is a member of the family and is a member of the family ChinchillidaeChinchillidae. It is classified as a critically . It is classified as a critically endangered species due to an estimated endangered species due to an estimated population decline of at least 80% over the population decline of at least 80% over the past ten years based on a decline in area past ten years based on a decline in area of occupancy and levels of exploitation. of occupancy and levels of exploitation. The short-tailed chinchilla can be found in The short-tailed chinchilla can be found in South America.South America.

Short-tailed ChinchillaShort-tailed Chinchilla

Giant Armadillo Giant Armadillo (Priodontes (Priodontes maximus)maximus)

The giant armadillo is classified as a The giant armadillo is classified as a member of the order member of the order Edentata (Edentates)Edentata (Edentates) and is a member of the family and is a member of the family DasypodidaeDasypodidae. It is classified as an . It is classified as an endangered species due to an estimated endangered species due to an estimated population decline of at least 50% over the population decline of at least 50% over the past ten years based on levels of past ten years based on levels of exploitation and a decline in area of exploitation and a decline in area of occupancy. The giant armadillo can be occupancy. The giant armadillo can be found in South America.found in South America.

Giant ArmadilloGiant Armadillo

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