Source: NAT GEO
Raising Awareness on National Endangered Species Day by sharing National Geo’s list of 7 species that are endangered due to poaching.
1. Pangolin : The most trafficked mammal in the world, with nearly one million killed in the last 10 years; hunted for its scales and meat, used for medicinal purposes; highest demand in China and Vietnam.
2. Addax: There are about 3 left; mainly hunted for fun and “sports” in Niger.
3. Asian Elephant: Their numbers have dropped by 50 percent in the last century; hunted for tusks, meat, and skin; often taken from their natural habitats and placed in tourist attractions.
4. Red-Fronted Macaw: Often killed because they are considered “parasites” to farmers; hunted for pet trade in South America. There are only about 4,000 remaining in the wild.
5. Vaquita: Most endangered marine mammal, with only 60 left in the Gulf of Mexico; they are frequently found dead in gill nets, used by fishermen – who often are illegally fishing for rare fish species.
6. Black Rhino: There are about 5,000 left in the wild; these small African rhinos are hunted for their horns, which are used for medicinal purposes and sold on black market.
7. Ploughshare Tortoise: There are 500 left, located in Northwestern Madagascar; their shells are sold on the black market for thousands.
Check out #EndangeredSpeciesDay to learn more about endangered wildlife.
Read full story at: NAT GEO