ELEPHANTS
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Elephants are the largest living land animals, with adults sometimes weighing six tons or more. Of the two species, the African elephant [pictured] is larger and more plentiful than the Asian elephant. But both are threatened by shrinking living space and poaching for the ivory trade.
Modern elephants are the last survivors of the old and varied "trunked" family of mammals that once ranged the entire planet. These heirs of such mighty creatures as the extinct mastodon and mammoth and occupy a unique place in their habitat in Africa and Asia. As huge and powerful consumers, elephants are considered to be a keystone species in their environment, affecting biodiversity in the regions they inhabit. They open up areas of forest where light-dependent plants can take hold, for example, creating habitat for grazing animals.
Such elephant roadways also act as fire breaks or drainage conduits and are littered with partially digested, ready-to-germinate seeds conveniently fertilized in elephant dung. The wells elephants dig in search of water are used by virtually all other wildlife in a given region, particularly during periods of drought. On the other hand, elephant activity can also be seen as destructive, particularly under the pressures of human landscape transformation that force the animals into smaller areas. As habitat shrinks, their voracious appetite can bring them more frequently into conflict with people.
World Wildlife Fund is working in Asia and Africa to protect this magnificent and vital animal and to preserve its shrinking habitat.
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TIGERS
Recognized throughout the world for its ferocity and unmistakable beauty, the tiger faces an uncertain future. Due to increases in both natural and human threats, the wild tiger population suffered major losses during the 20th century and has become one of our most endangered species. By the 1950s, tigers living around the Caspian Sea were extinct; between 1937 and 1972 the population of tigers that once inhabited the islands of Bali and Java disappeared; the South China tiger, with at best 20 to 30 individuals, is nearly extinct in the wild.
India today has the largest number of tigers, numbering somewhere between 3,030 and 4,735 and it is estimated that only 5,100 to 7,500 individual tigers now remain in the entire world. These remaining tigers are threatened by many factors, including growing human populations, loss of habitat, illegal hunting of tigers and the species they hunt, and expanded trade in tiger parts used for traditional medicines.
World Wildlife Fund and its conservation partners are working to combat these threats and save the tiger. Together, we can ensure that we leave our children a planet where tigers still roam wild.
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WHALES and DOLPHINS
Whales, dolphins and porpoises belong to the family of marine mammals known as cetaceans. Unlike fish, cetaceans are air-breathing, warm-blooded mammals that bear live young and nurse them on milk. Cetaceans play an important role in the life of the ocean, serving as flagships for the health and well-being of the whole marine ecosystem.
Completely adapted to life in the water, whales breathe through blowholes on top of their heads, which allows them to take in air without interrupting swimming. Of the great whales, the deep-diving sperm whale is the champion at holding its breath. The longest recorded dive by a sperm whale lasted over an hour, and these whales can descend to depths of more than a mile. Unlike fish, which swish their tails from side to side, whales swim by pumping their tails vertically, and using their flippers to steer.
Along with hunting, collisions with ships, and the degradation of their habitat due to pollution, the greatest threat to whales, dolphins and porpoises is entanglement in fishing gear, also known as bycatch. If current trends continue unabated, several cetacean species and many populations will be lost in the next few decades. With the support of its members and international conservation partners, World Wildlife Fund is working to ensure that whales, dolphins and porpoises will swim in our seas for generations to come.
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GORILLAS
The largest of the great apes, the gorilla is among our most endangered species. Having endured decades of civil war in Central and East Africa, gorillas are confronted by the devastating consequences of increased habitat loss, poaching for the bushmeat trade and the spread of dangerous diseases like Ebola.
While the efforts to safeguard the different subspecies are meeting with varied levels of success, each remains a conservation priority for World Wildlife Fund. On the cusp of extinction prior to the hundredth anniversary of its discovery, the mountain gorilla population, which now totals more than 700 individuals, is beginning a slow increase, thanks to a dedicated effort and sound conservation initiatives.
But the western lowland gorilla [pictured], the most numerous and widespread of the four subspecies, faces a severe Ebola crisis which, recent reports show, has caused a 56 percent decline in population across its range, with some of the hardest hit areas suffering even more.
WWF continues to work in the field and engage its conservation partners in order to address these threats and protect this wondrous and endangered species. Together, we can provide a more secure future for the gorilla.
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RHINOCEROS
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Prehistoric in appearance and intriguing in behaviour, rhinos in the late 20th century joined the ranks of the most critically endangered animals in the world. Rhinos are one of the largest free-roaming mammals left on the planet and they play an important role in ecosystems by serving as "landscape architects" of their habitat. Rhinos are seed dispersers, consuming various plants and then, as inadvertent gardeners, distributing their seeds throughout their range. Since it can take a rhino more than three days to digest a meal, seeds can be transported a significant distance before they are deposited in droppings. Rhino dung also enhances soil fertility and nourishes the landscape.
But the existence of this majestic species is increasingly threatened, due primarily to poaching and habitat loss. As the rhino is one of its flagship species, World Wildlife Fund is directing innovative conservation efforts in Asia and Africa that have already produced results and promise a more secure future for the rhino.
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MARINE TURTLES
Having travelled the seas for over 100 million years, marine turtles have outlived almost all of the prehistoric animals with which they once shared the planet. Marine turtles survived the extinction of the dinosaurs and are still present in the world's oceans today.
Until recently, their success was apparent, as marine turtles crawled ashore to nest in abundance on tropical and subtropical beaches around the globe. Unfortunately threats like hunting for meat, shell and eggs; habitat destruction; fisheries bycatch; pollution; boat strikes; and introduced predators have wiped out entire turtle populations, or reduced them to mere shadows of their former glory. Today three of the seven existing species are critically endangered with extinction, three are endangered and the status of the seventh species remains unknown.
World Wildlife Fund is working across the globe to help protect these remarkable creatures and the habitats that they need to survive.
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PANDA is one of the MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES
The lovable and charismatic panda is one of the most popular animals in the world. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most endangered.
Found only in China, the world's most populous country, the giant panda clings to survival, facing habitat fragmentation and poaching as its greatest threats. It is estimated that as few as 1,600 pandas remain in the wild today. World Wildlife Fund works to help giant pandas in the wild through a variety of programs, including scientific assessments, habitat conservation and outreach to local governments and people within the panda's home range.
Pandas have been an integral part of our mission for more than two decades. In 1979, WWF was the first international organization to be invited into China to work on panda conservation. To this day, we remain the primary international conservation organization protecting pandas in the wild, and with your help we can ensure their survival.
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KOALA BEARS
Although its scientific name means "ash grey bear," the koala is not a bear. It is a marsupial -- the name given to mammals whose females rear their young in a pouch.
Once hunted for their soft grey fur, koala bears are now prone to attacks from domestic dogs or killed by cars on the roads.
Land development has been their greatest problem, however, and today koalas are confined to nature reserves, which are not large enough to support healthy populations. As a result, loalas are at risk from starvation or epidemics.
A major factor contributing to their declining numbers is that they only eat the leaves of a very small number of the some 550 species of eucalytus trees.
19th century: Koalas hunted intensely for their fur.
1919: More than one million koalas shot in Queensland.
1927: Australia declares the koala a protected species.
1980s: First reports of the disease chlamydia in the overcrowded koala reserve of Phillip Island, Victoria.
1986: The Australian Koala Foundation is established to protect species from habitat loss and overcrowding.
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ORANG-UTANS
The orang-utans are native to Indonesia and Malaysia. Their habitat has almost vanished, as rainforests are felled or deliberately burnt to make way for oil-palm plantations.
Thousands are made homeless, many more are left isolated. A widespread trade in orang-utans as pets has also worsened their plight. Forest management and conservation efforts are the species' only last and only hope of survival.
Much like humans, orang-utans have the ability to learn from each other.
1935: Tanjung Puting in Indonesia declared a game reserve, protecting the orang-utan habitat from development.
1980s: Increasing demand in Taiwan and Japan for baby orang-utans as pets.
1990s: Rehabilitation camps prepare kidnapped and orphaned orang-utans for life in the wild.
1995: Indonesia's rainforest conservation project aids orang-utans.
2001: Indonesian trade ban on rainforet wood helps orang-utans' plight.
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BALD EAGLE
Found in the USA, Mexico and Canada, the bald eagle has been the official emblem of the US for more than two centuries. Yet only 20 years ago it was on the verge of extinction. Today it is one of the few species to have its status changed from endangered to threatened.
In the past, bald eagles were a common target for gamekeepers, who saw the birds as vermin. Habitat loss and pesticides caused numbers to plummet in the mid 20th century. Conservation efforts and a public awareness campaign have greatly lessened the eagles' plight. Today populations remain stable throughout much of its range
1940: The US Congress passed the Bald Eagle Act, prohibiting trade in the birds.
1967: The US declared the bald eagle endangered in all of its range except Alaska.
1972: DDT banned in the United States.
1976: US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the bald eagle as a national endangered species.
1995: Bald eagle reclassified from endangered to threatened in the lower 48 states.
2005: Bald eagle removed from the USFWS threatened list.
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ASIATIC LION
In the past, Asiatic lions were hunted intensively. Their numers decreased rapidly as humans began to intrude on their habitat. Today, Asiatic lions live on one tiny reserve in West India's Gir Forest.
Very few are left, and those that do remain continue to be shot at illegally by poachers. Efforts are underway however to open another reserve, which will hopefully improve their situation.
[DNA research shows shows that lions in the Gir reserve are virtually identical. This has caused fertility problems -- about 4 out of 5 sperm produced by males are deformed]
19th century: Big game hunting grows in popularity.
1900: Lions declared a "protected species" in India, but widespread hunting continues.
1913: Population falls to just 20 individuals.
1950: Numbers increase to about 220.
1975: 1,450 square kilometers of the Gir Forest is declared a protected area and a national park.
2005: Survey estimates that the population has increased to 359.
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KOMODO DRAGON
Weighing more than 80 kg (176 lbs) the Komodo dragon is the world's largest lizard. Today, found only on a small number of tiny arid islands off Indonesia, these gigantic lizards are vulnerable to increasing habitat loss.
Because the Komodo dragon's habitat is very small, the species is susceptible to natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions. The Komodo's survival is also threated by poaching of its prey.
Habitat development however is the greatest culprit, as newly introduced species such as dogs and cats, eat Komodo dragon eggs and kill its young.
Its razor-sharp teeth and inflict terrible wounds. Even the poisonous bacteria in its saliva will cause a minor wound to become severely infected.
1938: Nature reserves on Padar and Rinca islands help protect the Komodo dragon.
1965: Komodo island population protected from poachers.
1975: All trade in Komodos suspended.
1980: Komodo National Park established.
1986: Area designated as a World Heritage site and a Biosphere Reserve.
1995 - present: Indonesia works with the Nature Conservancyto support Komodo management.
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CHIMPANZEE
Chimpanzees are native to tropicl forests of western and central Africa. They are intelligent enough to learn human sign language. Scientists estimate these primates have language skills equivalent to a human toddler.
They are close cousins of humans sharing almost 99 per cent of DNA. Chimps can express many of the same emotions as humans such as joy, fear, anger, jealousy and grief.
Habitat loss is the largest threat to the chimpanzee today. As Africa's human population booms, forests are felled. Even areas of forest that were once inaccessible are quickly cleared, leaving wild chimpanzee populations fragmented and vulnerable.
Some chimpanzees are even hunted as "bushmeat" while their babies are captured as pets.
1900-2000: Wild chimp population falls from several million to jsut 150,000.
1960: Jane Goodall begins ground breaking research into chimpanzees.
1977: Trade in chimpanzees banned worldwide.
1986: Chimps listed as vulnerable by the World Conservation Union and, in 1996, are later upgraded to endangered.
2001: Great Apes Survival Project launched by the United Nations in an effort to protect wild populations.
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RED PANDA
The red panda -- once known as the firefox -- is the closest living relative of the giant panda. It is found in the forests beneath the Himalayas, which are being felled at an alarming rate. As a result, panda populations are left fragmented and vulnerable.
Although not hunted specifically, the red panda is often attacked by domestic dogs or caught in traps and snares set for other animals.
Like its cousin, the red panda consumes large amounts of bamboo. As they cannot digest plant matter efficiently, panda must eat non-stop.
1950 - 2000: Chinese population declines by 40 per cent.
1975: Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) restricts trade to ensure survival of the species.
1995: CITES declares the species threatened with extinction.
1996: The World Conservation Union declares the red panther endangered.
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MADAGASCAN LESSER CHAMELEON
In recent years, the Madagascan lesser chameleon has had some success in adapting to life on coffee and cocao plantations. Rapid habitat loss however continues to put its future in jeopardy.
Although the sale of chameleons is strictly prohibited, a growing demand from the pet trade still threatens the species with extinction.
The creature's skin changes colour to camouflage itself and also to communicate with other chameleons.
Using a complicated system of muscles, a chameleon can flick its tongue out at incredible speeds. The sticky end easily catches prey.
1977: Convention of the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates trade of Madagascam chameleons.
1993: The World Conservation Union warns that too little is known about the species in the wild to continue trade.
1995: CITES suspends the international trade in almost all species of Madagascan chameleons.
2002: CITES prohibits all international trade of the Madagascan lesser chameleon.
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CALIFORNIAN CONDOR
For years the Californian condor's plight was ignored. It was not until the species faced extinction that there was a public outcry of sympathy and, in the late 1980s, conservationists took desperate measures to try and save it.
This bird once ranged across much of North America. As settlers encroached upon their natural habitats, condors were seen as a nuisance and deliberately poisoned or shot.
Recent breeding prgrams have brought some hope, but reintroducing the birds to the wild is still very difficult.
The condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world, and the largest bird native to North America.
19th Century: Intensive persecution in the western United States.
1937: Species extinct everywhere except California.
1987: Population falls to 22. Last six wild individuals captured and a high-profile breeding program begins.
1992: First captive-bred birds released into the wild.
1998: Captive population reaches 100.
2003: Chick born in Arizona becomes the first to fledge in the wild for 20 years.
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TASMANIAN DEVIL
Once found throughout Australia, the Tasmanian devil has been confined to Tasmania for the past 600 years. Settlers attempted to eradicate the species, but conservation measures since the 1940s have eased its plight.
Today the greatest threat to the Tasmanian devil is disease. In recent years tens of thousands have died from a mysterious form of cancer. Once affected, an animal develops large tumours on its face, and typically dies within three to six months.
The species is also threatened by habitat loss, attacks by dogs, and road traffic.
1830: Rewards offered for every devil killed.
1941: Tasmanian devil protectd by law.
1940s - 1990s: Population recovers to a healthy 150,000.
1998 - 2004: Tasmanian devil population reduced to 75,000.
2005: Disease-free individuals captured in the hope of boosting a captive breeding program.
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