Many thought leaders of the present times have fervently warned of an impending existential crisis, and the world has seemingly begun to pay attention, by participating in conversations, formulating policies, and taking action to address climate-related threats majorly brought about by technological advancements.
For almost a century now, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an organization that casts a spotlight on the nature of life in the dark wild, using credible data to highlight the existential crisis facing various species of animals, plants, and other organisms, and working towards their conservation. Nonetheless, the threat against life in the wild is increasing day and night, resulting in several species being already blown out of this earth— never to appear again.
IUCN’s Red List is categorized into Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Vulnerable, Nearly Threatened, Conservation Dependent, Least Concern, Data Deficient, and Not Evaluated. Mammals comprise 26% of the Red Book.
In this article, we’ll be exploring some of the most intriguing mammals declared by the IUCN as Critically Endangered.
1. Black Rhino
Black Rhinos at Maasai Mara, Kenya
In Kenya, the Black Rhino is among the famous Big Five. It is native to regions around Eastern and Southern Africa. Some of the national parks where black rhinos can be easily spotted are Tsavo, Maasai Mara, and Amboseli, in Kenya. Serengeti in Tanzania, and Kruger in South Africa.
Reports from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) indicate that three subspecies of the Black Rhino have already been declared extinct—in 2011, the Western Black Rhino was declared extinct. It is estimated that black rhinoceros numbers declined rapidly by about 98% between 1960 and 1995, bringing the numbers down to roughly 2000 black rhinos.
Recent efforts in conservation and stern policies against poaching have brought some hope for the future of the Black Rhino, though it is reported that there only exist about 6,000 of them in the wild, which qualifies it to be listed as a Critically Endangered species by IUCN. The black rhinos once went extinct in Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana, but were reintroduced in 1993 (Malawi), 2003 (Botswana), and 2008 (Zambia).
Wanderers in the shadows: Six Mysterious Creatures of Africa
2. Amur Leopard
An Amur Leopard lying on a rock
Data from 2015 estimated the number of remaining Amur Leopards at about 55-60. Commonly found in mountainous areas of Southeastern Russia and Northern China, the Amur Leopard stands out from other leopards because of its thick fur, often cream in color. Its beautiful fur is the charm that attracts malicious predators (humans) who poach these leopards in order to profit from their skin.
Human-wildlife conflict has also contributed significantly to the existential crisis these creatures are facing, this is because the human villages aren’t far from the habitat occupied by these leopards. However, conservation efforts by the governments and several organizations have ensured that measures are taken to protect the Amur Leopards.
3. African Forest Elephant
African forest elephant in the Congo Forest
The number of African Forest Elephants declined rapidly by about 80% in just three generations (approximately 75 years). It joined the IUCN red list of the Critically Endangered mammals in 2021.
African Forest Elephant comprises one of the two surviving species of the African Elephant. There are three Elephant species worldwide and the African Forest Elephant is the smallest of the three.
It is commonly found in West Africa and the Congo Basin. They are social creatures and live in family groups of up to 20 individuals.
Among the major causes of its rapid decline are poaching, habitat loss, and habitat fragmentation.
4. Asiatic Cheetah
An Asiatic Cheetah standing on a rock
How unfortunate! The Asiatic Cheetah once ruled a vast empire ranging from the Arabian Peninsula and the Near East to the Caspian region and northern parts of South Asia. Currently, it only boasts of a tiny territory in Eastern Central Iran, confined around protected areas. A 2022 report by the Iranian Department of Environment (IDE) gave rather depressing news about the population of the Asian Cheetah— Only 12 cheetahs are still alive in the country— Iran is the only country where the Asiatic Cheetah is still surviving.
It is said to be genetically distinct from the African cheetah, due to their separation approximately 32000-67000 years ago. It is somewhat smaller than the African Cheetah.
Its diet consists mainly of Chinkara, Cape Hare, and Wild Goat.
5. Sumatran Elephant
Two sumatran elephants
Native to Sumatra, one of the islands in Western Indonesia, the survival status of the Sumatran Elephant took a critical turn in 2011, from Endangered to Critically Endangered.
Compared to the African Elephant, the Sumatran Elephant is smaller.
Within the last 25 years, over 70% of the Elephant’s habitat has been lost. Rapid deforestation and human development in Sumatra continue to be the prevailing threats to the survival of this Elephant.
In 2004, the establishment of Tesso Nilo National Park in Riau province became a major step in the quest for the conservation of the Sumatran Elephants.