All species are a part of life on earth. Without them, the whole life cycle falls apart. But by helping to preserve them and their habitats, we do not need to worry so much about extinction. Here is a list of 5 species that are currently listed as endangered, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

1.) Amur Leopard

Amur leopards live in the forests of Russia, experiencing frigid winters, as well as scorching hot summers. The Amur Leopard is a species that became critically endangered due to the illegal wildlife trade – poaching and logging. Their food source (Sika Deer) is slowly depleting because hunters get to them first – resulting in the leopards dying of starvation. There are only 60 Amur Leopards left, and it is our job to make sure they don’t go extinct.

2) Black Rhino

The Black Rhino is spread throughout Southern Africa and is also critically endangered because of the Illegal Wildlife Trade. Poaching is the hardest for the Black Rhinos because poachers get the most money from rhino horn. Rhino horn is mostly sold to Asian consumers, specifically in Vietnam and China. Only 2,500 Black Rhinos are left, and to save them, we should stop buying their keratin (the material of their horns).

3) Bornean Orangutan

Bornean Orangutans live in Southeast Asia, on two islands. Borneo and Sumatra. They are massive creatures who cannot move very quickly. These Orangutans have become critically endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting. They live in the trees so they cannot escape in time. Their existence has taken a turn, and it is not for the better. We are destroying their home – the least we can do is rebuild it.

4) Cross River Gorilla

The Cross River Gorilla lives in a small part of Western Africa. Currently, there are only 200-300 Cross River Gorillas left. These gorillas are endangered due to poaching, habitat destruction, and a genetic loss of inbreeding (which means they genetically cannot breed as well as some other species). Scientists think there are at least 11 groups left, spread out on land twice the size of Rhode Island.

5) Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtles live around the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. These sea turtles feed off of sponges, sea anemone, and – surprisingly – jellyfish. They have lived on Earth for more than 1oo million years. Now, there is a threat of extinction. The Hawksbill turtles are endangered because of their gorgeous shells. They were hunted for hundreds of years in huge numbers for the “tortoiseshell” that was used in many types of jewelry and trinkets. Harvesting hawksbill turtles for their shells nearly drove the population to extinction.

One of the biggest things that endanger animals is poaching. People do it mainly to make money. There are other ways to make money, but these animals being poached are innocent. We can help save them. They do not have to go extinct like the passenger pigeon or dodo bird. You can help support organizations that protect these animals, and you can help by not buying anything made from poached animals. We can save them, but we need your support.