According to NASA, 2014 was the hottest year on record.
And that’s not a good thing – especially for animals.
In fact, the combination of pollution and illegal hunting means that more species than ever before are currently on the verge of extinction.
According to an article published on GlobalPost on January 1st, there are at least 11 species that we could be seeing the last of by the time 2015 is over.
We’d say it’s about time to start paying attention.
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1. Amur Leopard
Apparently only about 30 of these cats are still alive in the wild. THIRTY.
2. Sumatran Elephant
Less than 3,000 of these big mammals are left.
3. Javan Rhinoceros
Mainly thanks to poachers, there are less than three-dozen of these beasts still running around.
4. Leatherback Turtle
The largest sea turtle species is already listed as “critically endangered” by the WWF.
5. Western Lowland Gorilla
Ebola has played a huge role in drastically reducing the population of these primates.
6. Saola
According to GlobalPost, the “current population is estimated to be between a few dozen and a few hundred.”
7. Vaquita
Don’t know what a Vaquita is? We don’t either – but we’d certainly like to have the chance to.
8. Siberian Tiger
Can you imagine one day having to explain to your kids that we let tigers go extinct? Read this and do something.
9. Mountain Gorilla
Less than a 1000 are left. Did we learn nothing from Gorillas in the Mist?
10. Greater Bamboo Lemur
Only 60 or so are left in the wild and just 150 more live in captivity. That’s what you call slim odds.
11. Yangtze Finless Porpoise
Not surprisingly, these Yangtze River dwellers have suffered from pollution, leaving their grand total at less than 2,000.
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