What Wildlife is Facing Today

Our planet is full of diverse and essential creatures that keep ecosystems balanced and healthy. Today, many of these animals are being pushed to the edge of extinction, and human activity is contributing. Read more about what species are being affected, and what you can do to help.

The Facts

Every year, more and more species are pushed closer to extinction, and a major reason is human activity. From deforestation to poaching, these animals are seeing numbers drop like never before. The numbers below represent the urgent reality of what many endangered species are facing today.

• A rhino is killed every 10 hours for its horn, causing species with unique characteristics like the black rhino to be dangerously close to extinction

• Fewer than 4,000 tigers remain in the wild, with their numbers shrinking due to habitat loss and illegal poaching

• 1 in 3 sea turtles ingest plastic, because they mistake it for food

• Elephant populations have dropped by 60% in the last 50 years, mostly due to ivory demand and habitat destruction

• Polar bear populations are rapidly declining as sea ice melts, and they could face extinction by the end of this century

Why It Matters

All of these species play a crucial role in our ecosystems, and the loss of them could lead to ecosystems being unbalanced and falling apart. 

For example:

• Elephants create clearings in forests that help other plants and animals thrive 

• Rhinos create and maintain water holes, which is essential for other species to continue thriving

• Sea turtles maintain marine ecosystem health by grazing on seagrass and ensuring it doesn’t go out of control

How You Can Help

Your actions can make a difference. Choose to fight back.

• Support conservation groups that work directly with endangered species

• Choose sustainable products, and avoid companies that disregard environmental risk factors

• Reduce plastic usage, especially single use plastic that could end in oceans

• Spread awareness by sharing facts and stories on social media

Protecting our planet's wildlife isn’t just about saving animals. It’s about preserving the planet’s diversity and protecting our future. The time to step up is now.