Located in South America, this particular guinea pig is one of the rarest species because of its small population. There are only 40-60 santa catarinas left. They are on the brink of extinction because of habitat disturbance and possible hunting.
Suggested Action Required: Scientists believe their habitats should be protected, as well as regulate access to the island.
Flickr/geoftheref
Hainan Gibbon
Located in Hainan Island, China, there are less than 20 Hainan Gibbons left. Scientists believe hunting is the cause.
Suggested Action Required: Gun confiscation in the area of the Bawangling population and habitat protection.
Flickr/geese
Pygmy Sloth
Located on a small island off the coast of Panama, there are less than 500 pygmy sloths. Habitat destruction is minimizing their already small environment.
Suggested Action Required: Scientists hope to raise awareness, as well as enforce protection of the Isla Escudo de Veraguas' nature sanctuary.
Flickr/ wallygrom
Greater Bamboo Lemur
This particular primate may soon be nonexistent because of habitat destruction due to slash-and-burn agriculture, mining and illegal logging.
Suggested Action Required: Habitat protection and reforestation in the Ivato and Karlanaga regions of Madagascar.
Flickr/ tkw954
Ploughshare Tortoise / Angonoka
The tortoise located in Madagascar may soon be nonexistent because of illegal collection for international pet trading.
Suggested Action Required: Enforcement of legal protection and protected area management.
More than 8,000 scientists who are affiliated with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have composed a list of 100 most endangered species worldwide. The list was presented at the World Conservation Congress in Jeju, South Korea. If strict actions are not taken, scientists fear these species could be extinct by 2020. Here are just a few species that are first in line to disappear if we sit back and do nothing to protect them. To get the full list visit IUCN.org.
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