Human beings are, by far, the most destructive species our planet has ever seen. While human history has continued to develop and grow more complex, the damage we leave in our wake is astounding. Sadly, our fellow animals tend to bear the brunt of us — and, even more sadly, some of these species could soon be gone forever.
Gorilla
Gorillas, like humans, are part of the great ape family. Unlike humans, gorilla populations have dwindled to almost nothing. It’s estimated that there are [only a couple hundred]( https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39998/102326240 Cross River gorillas remaining in the wild, and less than a thousand mountain gorillas.
Peacock
Most of us have seen peacocks at parks or zoos, but these flamboyant birds could be going extinct. Due to extensive habitat loss, species like the Hainan peacock and Bornean peacock have seen their populations plunge in recent years.
Hummingbird
Bird species tend to have a huge range, but if their lifeblood becomes limited, their populations will plummet. Case in point: various hummingbird species are declining in population. In some cases, just a few thousand of the birds still exist.
Pangolin
These little armored mammals haven’t been able to protect themselves from poachers. There are eight species of pangolin in the world, and every last one of them is listed as endangered, ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered.
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Elephant
One of many creatures prized by hunters and poachers, elephant populations have been in serious decline for years. The Sumatran elephant in particular is critically endangered , and populations are only continuing to drop.
Rhinoceros
Some of the biggest, most majestic animals in the world, the rhino family is in big trouble. Three subspecies were declared extinct in 2011, and other subspecies — particularly the Javan rhino — is down to 60 individual animals, all in a national park.
Wild horse
True, humans will ensure that domestic horse populations remain steady. But wild horses are a different story. The Przewalski’s horse , a wild breed, was once listed as extinct and now has just a few dozen survivors in the wild.
River dolphin
Some of the most intelligent creatures on Earth, dolphins are in need of conservation actions. The South Asian river dolphin is in dire straits. This group has two subspecies — one is down to a population of 1,200-1,800 while the other is down to just 965.
Tiger
Tigers are a force to be reckoned with, but they’re extremely vulnerable to poachers who hunt them for their coat. Some species are so rare that they may be extinct already, and the Sumatran tiger is classified as critically endangered .
Sea turtle
Like many marine species, sea turtles aren’t immune to human interference. The hawksbill sea turtle is currently critically endangered thanks to humans who kill them for their eggs, flesh and shells.
Vaquita
Perhaps you’ve never heard of this marine mammal, and if we don’t act soon you may never have the chance to see one. According to the World Wildlife Fund , only about 30 of these little porpoises are alive today.
Crocodile
Crocs have seen their human encroachment grow throughout the twentieth century. Due to habitat loss and getting entangled by boats and fishing gear, they’re in trouble. One species, the Philippine crocodile , is down to about 200 adults remaining in the wild.
Orca
Otherwise known as killer whales, the graceful orca whale is in trouble. According to The New York Times , orca populations in the Pacific Northwest have been struggling in recent years, with no new births in the past three years.
Vulture
They’re known for scavenging dead animals, but soon their might not be any of these scavengers left. The white-rumped vulture is so rare that it may be extinct already. One estimate says it’s suffered a 99.9 percent decline since the 1980’s.
Zebra
Their distinctive coats give them an advantage against animal predators, but not humans. One species in particular, the Grevy’s zebra, is down to a population of about 2,500 . A different species, the mountain zebra, is also in decline .
Orangutan
These adorable orange primates have lost about 80 percent of their population in under a century due to their forest habitats being wiped out. The Sumatran orangutan is listed as critically endangered .
Pika
These tiny, adorable mammals have always been rare, found mainly in the Chinese mountains. But since they were first discovered in 1983, populations have sadly fallen by almost 70 percent .
Ferret
Domestic ferrets are commonly kept as pets, but their wild counterparts are in major decline. The black-footed ferret , the only ferret native to North America, is down to about three or four hundred adults remaining in the wild.
