Endangered Species Day is May 17, where people are encouraged to learn more about the endangered species who live among us.
While there are thousands of species currently endangered, some are facing an even more serious status as "critically endangered."
"Critically endangered" means a species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Here is World Wildlife Fund's list of critically endangered animals, listed in alphabetical order.
Amur Leopard, Panthera pardus orientalis Black Rhino, Diceros bicornis Bornean Orangutan, Pongo pygmaeus Cross River Gorilla, Gorilla gorilla diehli Eastern Lowland Gorilla, Gorilla beringei graueri Hawksbill Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata Javan Rhino, Rhinoceros sondaicus Malayan Tiger, Panthera tigris jacksoni Orangutan, Pongo abelii, Pongo pygmaeus Saola, Pseudoryx nghetinhensis South China Tiger, Panthera tigris amoyensis Sumatran Elephant, Elephas maximus sumatranus Sumatran Orangutan, Pongo abelii Sumatran Rhino, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis Sumatran Tiger, Panthera tigris sumatrae Vaquita, Phocoena sinus Western Lowland Gorilla, Gorilla gorilla gorilla Yangtze Finless Porpoise, Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalisTo help endangered animals, the Endangered Animal Coalition has a few suggestions. Visiting a national wildlife refuge, park or other open space can help you learn more about animals and their habitats. Recycling and using more sustainable products keeps garbage out of habitats. And keep an eye out for your own local endangered animals and find out how you can get involved in helping them.
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