Endangered Species

The Yangtze River, known as the longest river in Asia, is not only a vital waterway but also a critical habitat for various species. One such species is the Yangtze finless porpoise, the world's one and only species of freshwater porpoise.

By Nicole Antonio & Sascha Bos

The Sunda tiger, also known as the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), is a striking species that can be found on Sumatra, an island in Indonesia. This tiger subspecies is the smallest among all living tiger species and is uniquely adapted to its tropical rainforest habitat.

By Nicole Antonio & Sascha Bos

The Sumatran orangutan, scientifically named Pongo abelii, inhabits the lush rainforests of Sumatra. These arboreal primates, known as "persons of the forest" in Malay, are highly intelligent and share close genetic ties with humans.

By Nicole Antonio & Sascha Bos

The saola, also known as the Asian unicorn, is one of the rarest animals in the world. Not only is it critically endangered, but the saola is famously secretive; very little is known about it. There are no saola in captivity and the last categorically documented saola sighting was in 2013.

By Sascha Bos

The quetzal is a colorful, tropical bird that has fascinated humans for thousands of years. One species in particular, the resplendent quetzal, is thought to have inspired Quetzalcoatl" target="_blank">Quetzalcóatl, the Mesoamerican feathered serpent god.

By Sascha Bos

The Gooty sapphire tarantula, also known as the peacock tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica), has captivated arachnid enthusiasts and researchers alike. Peacock tarantulas are renowned for their vibrant blue hair, which sets them apart from other species in the genus Poecilotheria.

By Nicole Antonio & Sascha Bos

This "scaly anteater" is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Learn more about the pangolin, from its diet to illegal trade and what's being done to protect pangolin species today.

By Sascha Bos

The Malayan tiger, scientifically known as Panthera tigris jacksoni, is a critically endangered tiger subspecies native to the Malay Peninsula (particularly the southern and central regions). With a population estimated to include fewer than 150 individuals, the these wild tigers of Southeast Asia are on the brink of extinction.

By Nicole Antonio & Sascha Bos

The Javan rhino is found in just one place on Earth, at least in the wild: Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia. Once abundant, it is now the rarest rhino and one of the rarest mammals in the world.

By Sascha Bos

Imagine a creature that combines the cuteness of a teddy bear with the charm of a rabbit, all wrapped up in the size of a terrier. Meet the Ili pika (Ochotona iliensis), a rare animal that has made its home in the Tian Shan mountains of northwestern China.

By Nicole Antonio & Sascha Bos

The Gobi bear, scientifically known as Ursus arctos gobiensis, is a brown bear subspecies found exclusively in Mongolia's Gobi Desert. Also referred to as the Mazaalai in Mongolian, this unique bear is categorized as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Bear Specialist Group the Mongolian Red Book of threatened species.

By Nicole Antonio & Sascha Bos

The gharial is one of the rarest and most unusual-looking crocodilian species on the planet. Learn more about this unique species and discover what conservation groups are doing to protect gharial populations.

By Sascha Bos

The Eastern lowland gorilla, scientifically known as Gorilla beringei graueri, is a subspecies of eastern gorilla that inhabits the lush tropical rainforests of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

By Nicole Antonio & Sascha Bos

Blue whales are the largest animals in the world. Despite their large size, blue whales manage to be fairly elusive, so there's a lot about them we don't know yet.

By Sascha Bos

The black rhino is one of the rarest animals on the African continent — but it wasn't always. At the beginning of the 20th century, there may have been a million black rhinos across Africa.

By Sascha Bos

Neither a bear nor a cat, the Southeast Asian bearcat is actually a viverrid (family Viverridae). Its closest relatives are other small carnivorous mammals like civets.

By Sascha Bos

Is the angel shark the holiest fish in the sea? Their name certainly seems to indicate a pure and pious air, and some seafood connoisseurs say that a bite of an angel shark is like a little taste of heaven.

By Molly Edmonds & Sascha Bos

The African wild dog is one of the world's rarest mammals. At a glance, people unfamiliar with the species misidentify it as a hyena. While both animals are spotted, the African wild dog has round ears and longer legs than hyenas.

By Sascha Bos

The reticulated python has a reputation for taking the title of world's longest snake. While you can own one as a pet, there are some vital restrictions.

By Desiree Bowie

The 10 rarest animals in the world are still found in the wild but are dangerously close to becoming extinct.

By Sascha Bos

The pink Amazon river dolphin, like some mythical creature from another world, is a shockingly beautiful color, but it is also extremely endangered.

By Laurie L. Dove & Talon Homer

Sometimes organisms, thought to be long gone from the world, rise from extinction like Lazarus from the dead, though it is a rare occurrence.

By Jesslyn Shields

This long-fingered primate with the perpetually startled golden eyes is considered one of the most distinctive animals on Earth.

By Jennifer Walker-Journey

The queen conch, a symbol of the Bahamas, is prized all over the world for its meat and its beautiful shell. But too much love has led to a serious decline in its population.

By Alia Hoyt

The axolotl, a critically endangered species, can regenerate virtually any of its limbs or organs and has a face that's totally irresistible.

By Jesslyn Shields