Endangered Species Day
May 16, 2025: National Endangered Species Day. It is observed annually on the third Friday of May worldwide. Here are 10 of the most well-known endangered animals:
Orangutan (Bornean and Sumatran)
Location: Native to the rainforests of Indonesia (Borneo and Sumatra).
Why endangered: Deforestation, illegal pet trade
These share 97% of human DNA and use tools. Unlike other great apes, orangutans are usually solitary or live in groups of fewer than three, making them difficult to track and study.
Snow Leopard
Location: Central and South Asia mountains
Why endangered: Poaching, habitat fragmentation
An elusive predator of Asia’s mountain ranges, the snow leopard is endangered due to hunting and human development.
Mountain Gorilla
Location: Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Forest, Africa
Why endangered: Habitat loss, poaching, disease
Their population has slightly increased due to conservation efforts.
Javan Rhinoceros
Location: Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia
Why endangered: Habitat destruction and very small population
Only around 80 individuals remain, all in one park.
Amur Leopard
Location: Russian Far East, Northeast China
Why endangered: Habitat loss, poaching, and small population size
One of the rarest big cats, with fewer than 100 individuals left in the wild.
Asian Elephant
Location: South and Southeast Asia
Why endangered: Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict
Smaller than African elephants and highly intelligent.
Blue Whale
Location: All oceans except the Arctic
Why endangered: Past whaling, ship strikes
The largest animal to have ever lived on Earth.
Tiger
Location: Asia
Why endangered: Poaching, habitat loss
Fewer than 4,000 tigers remain in the wild across all subspecies.
Vaquita
Location: Northern Gulf of California, Mexico
Why endangered: Bycatch in illegal fishing nets
This tiny porpoise inhabits Mexico’s Gulf of California.