Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Other animals

6 amazing endangered species you can help save

By

We don’t want any more species to go the way of the dodo, but unfortunately, other animals could be following in their footsteps. New creatures get added to the endangered list every year, and we need to work to save them, both by helping the species individually and by fixing the problems that got them there in the first place. For National Wildlife Day, take a look these six creatures who need us and learn more about what you can do.

Rhino with baby in brown grass
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Rhino

A few different types of rhinos exist in nature, and three make it to this list. Sadly, we have only two northern white rhinos left, both being kept safe and watched around the clock. Sudan, their male companion, died in 2018. While all hope is not lost (scientists continue to look into various breeding programs), they probably won’t have much time left. Since none exist in the wild, they aren’t even on our list, so the others that we need to worry about are the black, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos. Hunting, poaching, and habitat loss make up the biggest threats to these bulky animals. A rhinoceros horn can be worth close to $500,000, and so despite efforts, they still get killed today. You can help by adopting a rhino through the International Rhino Foundation. The good news: We’ve already seen some success with increasing numbers of the Indian rhino, so there’s still time to save this animal. 

Recommended Videos

Vaquita

The vaquita, a close relative of the dolphin, could go extinct this year. As few as 10 of these marine mammals live today, and they need a last push to keep them around. Fishing is their biggest threat because they wind up caught in nets (not meant for them but for their fish neighbors) and drown. This porpoise lives in the Gulf of California, where it’s difficult to prevent illegal fishing. One piece of good news: Baby vaquitas have been spotted recently, so they may yet have a future. You can add your voice by signing this Change.org petition.

Bonobo

They don’t look that much like us, but bonobos (along with chimps) are our closest living relatives. Bonobos face many threats like poaching and habitat loss in Africa and fewer than 20,000 remain. Our cousins need our help! One difficulty is that bonobos make great mothers and spend upward of five years caring for each baby, which means populations grow slowly. Also like us, they don’t reach maturity until their teenage years, about 12, so it takes a long time for them to grow up and start reproducing. These apes live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the African Wildlife Foundation and other organizations have partnered with local scientists and communities to help save the species together. Learn more about the plan to save bonobos here.

Pangolin stands with claws clenched in forest
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pangolin

Saving pangolins begins with an easy step: learning about pangolins. You may never have seen or even heard of them, but this endangered animal is essential to maintaining habitats. Because they eat so many insects, like termites, they help keep bug populations under control. Mammals are known for being soft and fuzzy, but the pangolin is covered in scales, similar to our fingernails. Because of this, traffickers around the world sell them. The Pangolin Crisis Fund constitutes a partnership of multiple organizations that allows 100% percent of donations to go toward the cause. Additionally, you can help raise awareness in your community by talking about this little animal — he needs the publicity. 

Sea turtle

Sea turtles made the news when thousands were rescued after a cold snap off the coast of South Padre Island in Texas. Sea Turtle, Inc., recruited volunteers to find these underwater reptiles and bring them to safety. While it was a huge success, marine turtles remain endangered and at risk from climate change. Some also get injured by boats, nets, and predators, especially when they come ashore to lay eggs. Those who’ve been disabled can live, but they need some help along the way. That’s why Sea Turtle, Inc., rehabilitates many turtles with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. Others stay ashore (if they won’t make it on their own) in the facility to educate and live out their long lives safely. You can visit in person or check out their virtual education programs. 

Panda sits and eats bamboo
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Panda

Perhaps the most well known and beloved of our endangered animals, wild pandas have started to rebound. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) first adopted their panda-themed logo in 1961 and has strived to help this gentle giant ever since. Some of this work has paid off, since giant pandas now have vulnerable status, but we can’t stop now. Deforestation has reduced the amount of bamboo available for them to eat, and many pandas wind up isolated, unable to find a mate. Luckily, nature reserves allow pandas uninterrupted areas to graze and safe places to sleep, their favorite activity. Protecting pandas can be fun with panda merch that saves the animal and spreads the word.

Unfortunately, this isn’t even close to the full list, and there are lots of other animals out there you can help. WWF is a great resource to research lots of different species and their predicaments. You can also take up environmental causes like reducing your carbon footprint or nixing plastic straws. It doesn’t seem like much, but we can save these animals if we set our minds to it.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Are turtles reptiles or amphibians? Here’s what you need to know
Learn the truth about turtles
Sea turtle swims gently in the sea

You probably learned in 3rd grade what an amphibian is: an animal that lives both in the water and on land; the name even has the Greek word for "both," "amphi," in it. But as with all things, it's actually a little more complicated than the explanation we got in elementary school. Of course, lots of animals would fit this description that definitely are not amphibians. After all, otters and penguins live on water and land, but they certainly don't qualify. It's especially tricky to distinguish between reptiles and amphibians since they share so many characteristics in common. So how do we tell them apart? Are turtles really reptiles or amphibians? This is how it all works. 

What makes reptiles and amphibians special?
Like humans, fish, and birds, reptiles and amphibians are both vertebrates. This means we all have backbones, unlike bugs or jellyfish. Most birds and mammals live on land; fish spend the majority of their lives in water. But the other groups are special because they get a little of each (we'll break that down in a minute). Additionally, these guys are cold-blooded while humans are warm-blooded. That means we make our own heat and need sweaters and blankets to trap it on or sweat to cool it off. Reptiles absorb heat from their environments, so you typically see them choosing to live in warmer climates and hibernating in winter. However, there are a few key differences between reptiles and amphibians. 

Read more
6 essential trail riding rules to know before you saddle up your horse
Group rides horseback through the woods

There's nothing quite like taking in the smell, feel, and sights of Mother Earth while on horseback. In fact, you can tour many parts of the country entirely this way, especially the more rural areas like national forests and even national parks. While we highly encourage this method of entertainment and transport, you want to read up on the rules before you embark on your equine adventure. By learning the ins and outs of what to do — and most importantly what not to do — you can travel in style and enjoy all that trail riding has to offer. 

What trails can I horseback ride on?
The good news: there are tons of trails across the country and abroad too if you're feeling extra adventurous. You can search in your area or find a good vacation spot based on trail riding by looking through the best trails. Some apps, like TrailLink, enable you to share and review or read what others have to say about the best spots. This becomes especially critical if you know you're taking an animal with you as you'll want to be sure it's a good spot for you and the beast to take a ride. Still, even the best locations require you to follow a few guidelines to ensure everyone stays safe and has a good time, human and animal alike. 
What Forest Service rules apply to me as a horseback rider?

Read more
Determined to raise backyard chickens? 6 essential things to do before you set up your coop
Three chickens eat while outside in their backyard

Urban chicken coops are trendy and rightfully so. With a group of hens you get fun pets plus eggs — how often does the family dog contribute after all? But you can't dive in on every Instagram trend, and this one, in particular, requires a pretty big upfront commitment mixed with a reasonable amount of upkeep, especially for beginners who have never owned so much as a parakeet. Just because it seems like a lot to handle, that doesn't mean you aren't cut out for poultry farming; many find it fun and rewarding. Before jumping into backyard chickens, think through these six things and determine if a flock of birds is really the right fit for you.

Look up local laws
Even if you see chickens roaming nearby, you'll want to thoroughly check up on the laws of your area, as well as any HOA regulations. You'd be surprised how many very specific rules might apply to setting up your little farm. Think about the coop itself, the rules for owning fowl, and the noise ordinances. Specifically, if you intend to have a rooster heading up your group as they can crow at decibels you wouldn't imagine and at hours you don't usually see.
Find your perfect spot
Next, scope out your yard and start planning. You need a large space for the coop itself (more on that in a minute) but that's not the whole picture. Since you started with a relatively small space to begin with (remember chickens often roam over many acres in a more rural habitat), you want both an indoor structure and an outdoor run. Altogether, you might need a sizable portion of the yard to accommodate them. If you plan to add other birds like ducks, you must calculate too where the pool will go and how they will access it.
Design your urban chicken coop
There are probably a few laws governing how big this can be, and you might need to apply for a permit, so you'll spend a decent amount of time in the design phase. Decide if you want to buy something pre-made or build a structure that perfectly fits into your yard. Either way, you should allocate about three square feet per chicken, so your building will get big quick, even if you want to start small. And that's just indoors. They need to be able to come out sometimes but still stay safely nearby.
Research breeds
Think all chickens are the same? Think again. Get ready to narrow it down from the 500 chicken breeds out there. The local climate will slim that as well as the available space, but you still have a bit of your own studying to do. And it's not just breed, you can impact what types of eggs you get based on what chicks you get (along with the food and environment).

Read more