Top 10 Endangered Species

1. Black Rhino
Since 1970, the Black Rhino population, native to southern and east Africa, has declined by 90% to less than 3,000. They are killed primarily for their horns.

Mychele Daniau, APF / Getty Images

2. Giant Pandas
Within a few short years, Giant Pandas could be facing extinction. Fewer than 1,000 remain in their native habitat of China. The main reason for their decline is the destruction of the land they live in and hunters. Zoos have been working on breeding programs to help increase the population.

Color China Photo / AP

3.Bengal Tigers
These magnificent cats are native to tropical zones in Southeast Asia and temperate regions like the Russian Far East. Less than 6,000 tigers remain in the wild. The most urgent threat to the species is hunting for use in traditional Asian medicines.

Santiago Llanquin, AP

4. Belgua Sturgeon
These fish are found in the Caspian Sea. Many fisherman want to catch them because they can sell them and their eggs for a lot of money. Many people around the world love eating the Sturgeons' "pearl-like" caviar.

Henghameh Fahimi, AFP / Getty Images

5. Goldenseal
The perennial Goldenseal herb is favored by naturopathists for its ability to heal numerous ailments like allergies. It can be found in the hardwood forests of North America. The demand for this herb has recently increased.

buckeye98 on flickr

6. Alligator Snapping Turtles
Prized by turtle trappers and dealers for its rare meat, Alligator Snapping Turtles, the largest of freshwater turtles from North America, are quickly becoming smaller in number.

7. Hawksbill Turtle
Found mainly around tropical reefs, the three foot long Hawksbill Turtle species, named for its snout, is coming very close to being extinct because hunters can get a lot of money for their beautiful shells.

Alex Brandon, AP

8. Big Leaf Mahogany
These trees are always in high demand because the red colored wood is a popular material for funiture. The trees can be found in the tropical forests of Mexico to the Amazon Basin. The problem is that the tree only grows individually rather than in groups therefore there aren't as many of them. Cutting down these trees in the Amazon forests has resulted in a loss of 70% of these types of trees.

Mauricio Lima, AFP / Getty Images

9. Green Checked Parrot
Native to Mexico, this colorful parrot species, with the ability to mimic the human voice, has become rare because of the demand for them as pets in the U.S. Even though it is illegal, the birds are still sold to the U.S.

AFP / Getty Images

10. Mako Shark
The Mako Shark is wanted for its tender meat and for their fins which can be used in medicines in Asian countries. In Hong Kong, shark fin soup can cost almost $100 for a single serving. As with most shark species, Mako Sharks are becoming smaller in number because they live a long life and have only a small number of babies.


William Hatfield