A whole lot of species are being discovered in our vast and complex world. Although these creatures look exciting and amazing, our increasing human population, habitat destruction, climate change, hunting and the over-exploration of wildlife threaten the survival of these animals and push them to the edge of extinction.

Scientists say that about 4 billion species have existed all through the course of the Earth’s history.

Already, if humans were not in the picture, the natural extinction rate, also known as the background rate, has described how fast plants, mammals, birds, and insects would die. Today, because of human actions, species disappear at almost 1,000 times faster than the natural rate. This means we lose about 200 species per day.

It is not easy to choose animals that could possibly go extinct before your children will group up to see them.

We couldn’t but leave other countless animals that are faced with similar depressing circumstances just because we want to pick only 10 species. But, it should be known, that many species that are not known to science may also perish in a few years to come.

Sumatran Orangutan

It is a critically endangered species. In the last 75 years, Sumatran Orangutans have had a population decline of over 80 percent.

Polar Bear

This species is already considered vulnerable. Loss of habitat, oil development and climate change made their decline imminent. Experts say there will be no polar bears in the world in the next 100 years.

Red Wolf

Already, it is labeled as a critically endangered species. In order to ensure their survival, the surviving 17 red wolves were placed in captivity thirty years ago. Although there are about 100 red wolves today, deforestation still threatens their survival.

Siberian Tiger

Although Siberian Tiger is the largest in the cat family, the species is critically endangered. Only about 400 or 500 Siberian tigers live in the wild today.

Sifaka

Sifakas belong to the family of lemur but they have become vulnerable already. Hunting, slash-and-burn activities, as well as habitat loss, threaten the survival of Sifakas. Only 250 mature Sifakas were in existence as of 2008.

Vaquita

Vaquita, a family of porpoise, is critically endangered. There are about 300 vaquitas left alive in the world, and they can be found in the stretch of water around California and Mexico.

Western Gorilla

This species is critically endangered. Western Gorillas are exposed to high levels of poaching and hunting, and their population has reduced significantly. Experts say that the population of Western Gorilla will be reduced by 80 percent by 2046.

Black Rhino

Rhinos are virtually living fossils and one of the oldest groups of mammals. But, they are critically endangered. Only 4,848 Black Rhinos are let alive on Earth.

Humpback Whale

This species is a target for the whaling industry and it has become endangered. Currently, there are about 20,000 Humpback Whales in the world.

Leatherback Turtle

It is an endangered species. Commercial fisheries and marine pollution pose a serious threat to leatherback sea turtles. As we speak, about 34,000 nesting females live in the wild.