AnimalsThe International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps the Red List of Threatened Species. Experts assess each species and place it in a category according to how likely it is to die out. Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered together are called "threatened".
Critically Endangered (4)
The species faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. This is the last category before "extinct in the wild".
axolotl, Bornean orangutan, gharial, Western gorilla.
Endangered (11)
The species faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
African bush elephant, Asian elephant, blue whale, chimpanzee, Ganges river dolphin, Indian pangolin, Komodo dragon, red panda, ring-tailed lemur, tiger, whale shark.
Vulnerable (25)
The species faces a high risk of extinction in the wild.
cheetah, dugong, fire salamander, gaur, giant panda, giraffe, great hornbill, great white shark, hippopotamus, Indian rhinoceros, Indian star tortoise, king cobra, koala, leopard, lined seahorse, lion, mugger crocodile, olive ridley sea turtle, polar bear, reindeer, sambar, sarus crane, sloth bear, snow leopard, walrus.
Near Threatened (11)
The species is not yet classed as threatened, but it is close and may become so soon.
Atlantic salmon, emperor penguin, European hedgehog, European rabbit, Indian flying fox, Indian python, Indian roller, jaguar, plains zebra, platypus, white rhinoceros.
Least Concern (47)
The species is widespread or numerous enough that it is not considered at risk of extinction at present.
Asian koel, bald eagle, barn owl, blackbuck, brown bear, chital, clownfish, common bottlenose dolphin, common house gecko, common myna, common octopus, common ostrich, common toad, electric eel, goldfish, greater flamingo, green sea turtle, house crow, house mouse, house sparrow, humpback whale, Indian bullfrog, Indian cobra, Indian crested porcupine, Indian palm squirrel, Indian peafowl, mallard, monarch butterfly, moose, mute swan, nilgai, North American beaver, northern plains gray langur, peregrine falcon, red fox, red kangaroo, rhesus macaque, rock dove, rohu, rose-ringed parakeet, ruby-throated hummingbird, saltwater crocodile, spotted hyena, three-toed sloth, veiled chameleon, wild boar, wolf.
Data Deficient (2)
There is not enough information to judge the risk to this species.
Categories shown are those recorded in Wikidata on 11 November 2026. Assessments are revised from time to time. For the latest status of any species, check the IUCN Red List itself.
Why animals become threatened
- Loss of habitat: forests cut, wetlands drained and grasslands ploughed. This is the biggest cause.
- Hunting and illegal trade, for skins, horns, scales, meat or the pet trade.
- Conflict with people, when animals raid crops or livestock.
- Pollution, including plastic in the sea and chemicals in rivers.
- Climate change, which is melting sea ice and shifting seasons.
Good news is possible
Protection works. The Indian rhinoceros was down to a few hundred animals a century ago and now numbers in the thousands. The giant panda was moved from Endangered to Vulnerable in 2016 after its forests were protected. India's tiger numbers have risen under Project Tiger, which began in 1973.
What you can do
- Never buy wild animals as pets, or things made from wild animals.
- Do not feed or tease wild animals, and keep a safe distance.
- Reduce waste, above all plastic.
- Visit sanctuaries and national parks responsibly, and follow their rules.