Vaquita to Emperor Penguins, 5 animal species you won't see in the next 50 years
Human-caused climate change and global warming have already made the earth an unlivable hell. The rising temperatures are also damaging ecosystems and resulting in significant loss of biodiversity.
While the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker has recently gone extinct, here are 5 other critically endangered species that may be going extinct in the next 50 years:
1. EMPEROR PENGUIN
One of the most recognised species of penguins (primarily because of the movie Happy Feet), the Emperor Penguin may go extinct in the next 30-40 years. The Emperor Penguin is scientifically known as Aptenodytes forsteri.
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Argentine Antarctic Institute biologist Marcela Libertelli told Reuters, "Climate projections suggest that the (penguin) colonies that are located between latitudes 60 and 70 degrees south will disappear in the next few decades; that is, in the next 30-40 years."
WHY: Libertelli credited increasing tourism, fishing and the loss of solid sea ice in Antarctica as reasons why the Emperor Penguin may go extinct.
The penguin species requires stable 'fast' ice for reproduction. Fast ice refers to sea ice that is connected to a piece of land, and Emperor Penguins use fast ice as a platform to mate, incubate their eggs, raise their chicks and replace their feathers during the annual moult.
Changes such as loss or early breakout of fast ice can lead to massive breeding failure for several consecutive years. Breakouts can also make it difficult to access feeding area paths, which in turn led to a further decline in the population.
2. BORNEAN ORANGUTAN
Found only in the rainforests of the Borneo island (politically divided by Malyasia, Indonesia and Brunei), the Bornean Orangutan's population has declined by 50% in the past 60 years.
The Northwest Bornean Orangutans are the most threatened sub-species of Bornean Orangutans. The species is critical in maintaining forest health in Borneo. The Bornean Orangutan is scientifically known as Pongo pygmaeus.
WHY: Illegal wildlife trading and human conflict has been credited as the reason behind the declining orangutan population.
3. JAVAN RHINO
Scientifically known as Rhinoceros sondaicus, the Javan Rhino resides only in the Ujung Kulon National Park. The park is located in the extreme southwestern tip of the Indonesian island of Java. Only 74 Javan Rhinos are left in the world, making the species one of the most threatened large mammal species.
WHY: The WWF currently categorises the Javan Rhino as critically endangered due to 'catastrophes, habitat loss, diseases, poaching, and potential inbreeding'.
If the last 74 rhinos die, the species will go completely extinct.
4. VAQUITA
The vaquita is a small porpoise and is found in only in the Sea of Cortez which is the northern Gulf of California in Mexico. Scientifically known as Phocoena sinus, the vaquita is one of the world's rarest marine mammals and only 10 vaquitas are left in the world. The vaquita looks like it's always smiling.
WHY: Because of their tiny size, vaquitas are easily caught and drowned in gillnets used by illegal fishing operations in the Gulf. Usually, the vaquitas are caught with other marine species like the totoaba which is also a critically endangered fish.
5. SUMATRAN ELEPHANT
The Sumatran Elephant is known to be vital to a healthy forest ecosystem, due to their eating habits. As per the WWF, only 2,400 to 2,800 Sumatran Elephants remain and their status was changed from 'endangered' to 'critically endangered' in 2012.
WHY: The island of Sumatra in Indonesia has been experiencing one of the highest rates of deforestation within the Asian elephant’s range, leading to excessive loss of habitat and human-elephant conflict. The species is also poached for its relativey small tusks.
Not only the Sumatran Elephant, but the Sumatran Rhino, Sumatran Tiger and Sumatran Orangutan are also critically endangered.