The leatherback turtle, Sumatran orangutan, mountain gorilla, vaquita and etc are among ten endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012. The list is compiled by World Wildlife Fund.

Leatherback Turtle

The leatherback turtle, also known as the largest species of turtle alive today, has survived for more than a hundred million years and is facing with the extinction. Reportedly, the species is declining precipitously throughout its range. The largest turtle, without a hard shell, can live in cool waters and dive deep in search of jellyfish and other food. The leatherback turtle is strong swimmers and able to undertake long journeys. The rare turtle lives in tropical and temperate sea waters and breed off the West Indies, Florida, the northeastern coast of South America, Senegal, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Peninsular Malaysia.

Leatherback Turtle

Sumatran Orangutan

The Sumatran orangutan, which lives only in northern and western provinces of Sumatra, Indonesia, is one of two most endangered orangutan species

Mountain Gorilla

The mountain gorilla, which was found on 17 October 1902, has only estimated total number of mountain gorillas worldwide of 790

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

The Atlantic bluefin tuna is well-known as one of the largest, fastest, and most gorgeously colored of all the worlds fishes. The torpedo-shaped animals have declined alarmingly over the past few decades

Vaquita

The rare species of porpoise, vaquita, lives only in the Gulf of California, Mexico and is critically endangered due to entanglement in fishing nets

Irrawaddy Dolphin

Main threats of Irrawaddy Dolphins extinction are fisheries bycatch and habitat loss

Tiger

Also featuring in a top 10 list of endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012, tiger has less than 3200 individuals remaining in the world

Snow Leopard

There is only 6,000 snow leopards in the wild across 12 countries and the number is declining alarmingly due to hunting and habitat loss

Javan Rhino

The Javan is named the rarest large mammal on the planet with only 50 animals left in the world

Asian Elephant

The Asian elephant, which has been worshipped for centuries and used for ceremonial and religious purposes, is also featured on top ten endangered species to be on the look-out for in 2012

Top Ten Endangered Species 2012: Leatherback Turtle, Sumatran Orangutan and More

Related links:

Top 5 Endangered Species Around The World

Top Giant Animal Species Before Dinosaur Era

Endangered Rare Crocodile Was Found in Florida

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