Endangered Animals

Cheetah Where: Namibia has the largest population of wild cheetah -about Smaller populations exist in Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania while 19 other countries have even fewer. What are they like: Fastest mammal on land Run at 60 mph After a chase need 30 min rest Doesn’t have spots on white belly Difficult to breed in captivity

Population: In 1900 there were only about 100,000 cheetah worldwide. Now: 10 to 15 thousand with about 1/10 of those living in captivity. Why: Skin captured for hunting human expansion leads to lack of habitat and food.

Mountain Gorilla What are they like: Gorillas are the largest strongest primates A mature male gorilla can be over 6 feet tall and weigh 300 to 500 pounds. Full range of emotions: love, hate, fear, grief, joy, greed, generosity, pride, shame, empathy, and jealousy. Gorillas sleep about 13 hours each night and rest for several hours at midday.

Population: about 600 individuals, living in 2 populations of about 300 each, separated by about 20 miles. Why: Habitat loss Poaching- illegal hunting for trade War Hunted for sport

Zebra What are they like: Largest Zebra No 2 zebras have the same pattern Herbivores Excellent eye sight, smell and hearing Where: -Plains Zebra live on the grasslands of Africa -Mountain Zebra live in dry areas of southern Africa, -Grevy's Zebra live in the dry areas of northeast Africa.

Population: A few decades ago, more than 15,000 Grevy’s zebra inhabited Africa. Today, fewer than 2,500 remain. Why: Habitat loss Over grazing Livestock Depleting water supply

Elephant What are they like: Elephants are sensitive fellow animals where if a baby complains, the entire family will rumble and go over to touch and caress it. Elephants cry, play, have incredible memories, and laugh! Predicted to be extinct by 2020 Where: Africa & India

Population: 7.4 percent a year led to the international ban on the ivory trade. The death rate of African elephants is now 8 percent a year with the fact that the ban is absent today. Now elephant population is less than 470,000 Why: Poaching Ivory tusks

Dolphin What are they like: Very little is known about the Baiji. The Baiji is easily frightened and usually next to impossible to approach by a boat. This species is probably the most endangered of all the cetaceans Very seldom seen above the surface of the water Where: China

Population: Why: Trapped and tangled in fish nets Hunting, Destruction of their habitat Human disturbance Pollution of the waters they live in.

Orangutan What are they like: Orangutans have an enormous arm span. Orangutans are more solitary than other apes. Males are loners. Where: Southeast Asian islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

Population: 7,300 individuals in the wild Why: Deforestation Hunting

Red Panda What are they like: The red panda has an extra thumb for feeding and climbing. The red panda is an excellent climber. Red pandas have semi-retractable claws. Where: live in the mountains of Nepal and northern Myanmar (Burma), as well as in central China.

Population: There are fewer than 2,500 adult red pandas. Why: Habitat loss Hunting Soil pollution

Tortoise What are they like: Female tortoises dig burrows to lay their eggs in. Their growth depends on the availability of food and water. Most of them are herbivorous i.e they eat grasses, weeds, leafy greens, flowers, and certain fruits but some eat insects also. Where: Galapagos Islands

Population: 15,000 Galapagos giant tortoises left in the Galapagos. Around the world, many species of giant island tortoises have been either wiped out altogether or reduced to near- extinction. Why: Taken for supplies Introduced mammals Goats eating vegetation