Critically Endangered Species in our World

by Alexis & Emma
Published April 25, 2025

There are over 9,760 critically endangered species in the world. Endangered animals are animals that are threatened  to go extinct. Critically endangered animals are animals that have less than 250 of their species left in the wild and are extremely vulnerable to extinction.  Animals that are endangered are endangered for many different reasons, and these are some of the most critically endangered species on Earth

The Northern White Rhino is the most endangered species in the world. There are only 2 left, and they are held in captivity. The 2 remaining rhinos are 25 and 34 years old, and this species of rhino usually lives to about 40-50 years old. The Northern White Rhino is considered functionally extinct, which means that they are extinct in the wild, but there are still some living in captivity. They are nearly extinct because of people poaching for their horns. The last two Northern White Rhinos are named Najin (34) and Fatu (25), and they are living in the OI Pejeta Conservatory in Kenya. The last two rhinos are both female, and Najin is Fatu’s mother. The 2 rhinos are unable to reproduce, and the last male rhino, Sudan, died in 2018. The Southern White Rhino was also really close to going extinct in the 1900’s, where there were only about 50-100 left, but scientists were able to recover their population safely, and now there are about 16,800 in the wild. 

The Amur Leopard is another species that is critically endangered. There are only about 100 left in the world, which may sound like a big number, but it is actually really small. These animals only live up to 10-15 years old. They are nearly extinct because of their beautiful fur. In 1999 people found two Amur Leopard skins that were going to be sold for $500-$1000 respectively in the village of Barbash. These cats can run up to 37 miles per hour and stand up to 2.5 feet tall.  Even though Amur leopards are cats, they love to swim and are one of the only cat species that like water.

The black footed ferret is critically endangered, and there are about 500 known living in the wild. Some people used to be able to have black-footed ferrets as pets, but it is now illegal, even though some pet stores still sell them. This species of ferret can only live from 1-3 years in the wild and 4-6 years in captivity. They usually weigh from 1.5-2.5 pounds, are 19-24 inches tall, and can run 5-7 miles per hour. These ferrets got their name because they have little black feet and tufts of fur that look like robber masks. They are endangered because of habitat loss, a decline in their main food source, which are prairie dogs, and diseases like sylvatic plague. 

The vaquita is another critically endangered animal that has an extremely low number of them left. Vaquitas are marine animals that are not dolphins or whales but they are in the same family, the porpoise family. There are only 6-8 vaquitas left in the wild and they are the rarest water animal in the world. This species can only live up to 20 years old. The main reason that they are endangered is because of fishing bycatch which is the untitled capturing of marine animals when others are in target. An example of bycatch would be if someone is trying to catch tuna, but then they catch a vaquita and keep it. If people don’t end this harmful act, these amazing creatures will be extinct very soon. 

Animals all around the world are critically endangered for many different reasons. Animals such as the vaquita, black-footed ferret, amur leopard, and the northern white rhino are critically endangered. Protecting the ocean, the environment, and animals from poachers can give these animals a better chance of survival.