Endangered animals are those whose populations are extremely small and face a very high risk of extinction. According to the standards set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), endangered species are classified into five categories: Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, and Least Concern. Critically Endangered indicates that a species has an extremely low survival rate in the wild and may soon become extinct. Without timely conservation measures, these species may disappear from the earth forever. Human activities are one of the main causes of extinction for many species, including deforestation, wildlife trafficking, environmental pollution, and climate change. Protecting endangered species is an important task for protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. my country possesses abundant natural resources and biodiversity, but its rare animals face serious threats, some of which are already on the verge of extinction.
The following are some rare animals that are currently on the verge of extinction in China:
1. South China Tiger
The South China tiger is listed as a Class I protected animal in China and is also a critically endangered species on the IUCN Red List. According to the Wildlife Protection Law of the People's Republic of China in 1989, the South China tiger was officially included in the list of Class I protected animals in China. Furthermore, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) issued by the United Nations in 1996 lists the South China tiger as the No. 1 endangered species and is also ranked first among the world's ten most endangered species.
The South China tiger once roamed the mountains and forests of southern China, but due to human efforts to eradicate it and environmental destruction, its population has drastically declined and it is now on the verge of extinction. Fewer than 20 South China tigers remain worldwide, making it one of the most endangered large mammals in the world.
2. Chinese Crested Tern
The Chinese Crested Tern is one of the rarest bird species among China's endangered animals and is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. According to Wetlands International's Global Waterbird Population Assessment, the global population of the Black-billed Tern is estimated to be less than 50 individuals.
The Chinese Crested Tern was first recorded in 1861, but remained extremely rare until 2000 when it was widely believed to be extinct. However, in 2000, four adult birds and four juveniles were rediscovered in the Matsu Islands off the coast of Fujian Province, becoming major news in the ornithological community that year. Therefore, conservation efforts for the Chinese Crested Tern are extremely important.
3. Hainan Gibbon
While many endangered animals in China don't receive the same level of attention as pandas, they face similar or even more severe levels of endangerment. For example, the Hainan gibbon is listed as one of China's most endangered primates, ranking first in the 1999 Action Plan for Primate Conservation in China drafted by the Chinese Primate Specialist Group. In 2002, the Hainan gibbon was ranked fifth among the 25 most critically endangered primate species globally. When determining the conservation level of primates in China, the Hainan gibbon was also ranked first, indicating its extremely serious endangerment both globally and within China.
However, encouragingly, the Hainan gibbon population has recovered from a historic low of fewer than 10 individuals in the 1970s to over 30 individuals in 2020, marking a new high in nearly 40 years. This indicates that the conservation measures have been effective to some extent, but continued conservation efforts are still needed to better protect this species.
4. Chinese Sturgeon
The Chinese sturgeon is one of China's endangered animals, also known as the "giant panda of the water." It has a long lifespan, with some living up to 40 years. They are distributed in China, Japan, South Korea, Laos, and North Korea. They are mainly found in the Yangtze River system from the Jinsha River downstream to its estuary, and occasionally in other river systems such as the Gan River, Xiang River, Min River, Qiantang River, and Pearl River.
In 2008, it was estimated that the breeding population of Chinese sturgeon was less than 200, and the wild population was critically endangered. In 2013, no signs of natural spawning by wild Chinese sturgeon were detected, marking the first time in nearly 32 years that no natural spawning had been observed. Therefore, the wild Chinese sturgeon population faces a great danger of extinction.
5. Pangolin
Pangolins are an ancient mammal, hailed as "guardians of the grasslands." When I was a child, pangolins weren't considered rare, but now they are endangered in China and are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They have a very low reproductive rate, typically producing only one offspring per year, with a female's reproductive lifespan estimated to be a maximum of 15 years.
In China today, illegally hunting, smuggling, or selling pangolins can result in imprisonment for more than five years, with serious cases potentially leading to life imprisonment. In 2020, all species of pangolins were upgraded from Class II to Class I protected wild animals in China, and pangolins were even removed from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, despite these changes, the situation has not improved.
6. Green Peacock
The green peafowl is the largest peafowl species, found only in western, central, and southern Yunnan province in China. In 1995, the total population of green peafowl in Yunnan was approximately 800-1100 individuals. However, by 2014, they had become extremely rare, with their distribution area severely diminished. Without immediate conservation measures, wild green peafowl in Yunnan could become extinct within 10 years.
On May 22, 2017, International Day for Biological Diversity, the Yunnan Provincial Environmental Protection Department's Publicity and Education Center issued a statement saying that the green peafowl had been listed as a critically endangered species. This indicates that the green peafowl's endangered status has reached an alarming level. Urgent measures must be taken, such as prohibiting illegal hunting and restricting human activities, to protect the green peafowl's habitat, and strengthening public education to raise public awareness of environmental protection. Only through the joint efforts of the entire society can the protection of precious animals like the green peafowl be achieved.
7. White-headed langur
The white-headed langur is one of China's ten rarest animals. They typically live in groups of 5-9 members, led by an adult male. Diurnal, they begin foraging at dawn, primarily feeding on leaves, fresh buds, flowers, bark, and some fruit. The average lifespan of this monkey is about 25 years. With a very narrow distribution and extremely small population (only a few hundred individuals remain), the white-headed langur is one of the world's 25 most endangered primate species. It is listed as endangered in the *China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals* (Mammals) and critically endangered in the *IUCN Red List of Threatened Species*. They are widely recognized as one of the rarest monkey species in the world.
Currently, the total number of white-headed langurs in Guangxi is estimated to be only around 200. Through sustained efforts from various sectors, the total number of white-headed langurs has now reached approximately 1,100, with most residing in the Chongzuo White-headed Langur National Nature Reserve and a smaller number in the Nonggang National Nature Reserve, thus averting the danger of near extinction.
8. Yunnan Box Turtle
The Yunnan box turtle was discovered in 1906, but it was not seen again for more than 50 years. In 2000, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species listed it as an extinct species. Until 2010, scientists accidentally discovered a small wild population of the Yunnan box turtle during a field survey. However, due to the fragmented approach to species protection in China, relevant departments did not give the Yunnan box turtle the attention it deserved, leading to the eventual disappearance of this small wild population.
Due to over-exploitation of forests, changes in the natural ecosystem, and overhunting by humans, the Yunnan box turtle faces enormous threats to its survival and reproduction. Currently, the number of wild Yunnan box turtles is extremely small, and the situation is very serious.
9. Yangtze alligator
The Chinese alligator is a species of crocodile endemic to China and one of the smallest crocodile species in the world. It lives in the Yangtze River basin, hence its name. Despite its rarity, the Chinese alligator is considered a very precious animal. Because it retains many characteristics of early dinosaur-like reptiles, it is often referred to as a "living fossil."
China has listed the Chinese alligator as a Class I protected animal and strictly prohibits its hunting. It is currently estimated that there are only 130-150 wild Chinese alligators left in the world, and this number is declining at a rate of 4-6% annually.
10. Baiji Dolphin
The Baiji dolphin is a small freshwater cetacean endemic to China, belonging to its own family and considered an ancient relict species. Fossil evidence suggests they appeared in the Yangtze River basin as early as the late Miocene epoch, 5.3 million years ago. However, since the late 20th century, their numbers have plummeted due to severe human activities. In 1988, they were listed as a Class I protected wild animal in China, but the remaining population continues to decline. This makes the Baiji dolphin the first cetacean species to face extinction due to human factors.
In 2006, it was declared functionally extinct. However, on November 14, 2018, the updated IUCN Red List of Threatened Species did not confirm the extinction of the Baiji dolphin, but instead maintained its rating at "critically endangered".
These are some of the rare and endangered animals currently facing extinction in China. We should attach greater importance to environmental protection and wildlife conservation, and actively take measures to protect these precious species so that they can continue to thrive.
We should take the following measures to deal with endangered animals:
1. Strengthen public awareness and education to improve environmental consciousness. People need to understand the situation and importance of endangered animals in order to recognize the necessity of protecting them.
2. Take emergency measures, such as banning illegal hunting and restricting human activities, to protect the habitat of endangered animals.
3. Establish a comprehensive protection mechanism, including setting up nature reserves and wildlife rescue centers, conducting scientific research, and carrying out protection work.
4. Enhance international cooperation, jointly promote global biodiversity conservation, and increase financial investment.
5. The protection of endangered species often requires long-term and sustained efforts and investment, and necessitates concerted efforts from governments, businesses, and the public to form a multi-faceted cooperative framework.
Only through the concerted efforts of the entire society can we achieve the protection of endangered animals. Paying attention to, caring for, and protecting endangered animals is not only our responsibility to nature, but also an action we must take to protect the future living environment of humankind on Earth.
