Since the establishment of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, there are around 227 species have been saved. However, there are some other animal species that are extinct as well. Do you know that since the beginning of the 21st century, there are around 17 animal species that are extinct. Before, there were also the animals extinction in the 20th century.
Surprisingly, the extinction is mainly caused by human activities, such as population and economic growth. You can also read more about reasons why species are endangered.
As humans, we need to prevent this kind of extinction from getting worse. The first step to prevent it is by knowing what animals are extinct in the 21st century. Then, we can decide the next step to do some prevention.
Let’s see these 7 animals which got extinct in the 21st century.
- Western Black Rhinoceros
The first animal listed to be extinct in the 21st century is the western black rhinoceros. It is a black rhinoceros subspecies that was declared extinct in the early 2011. This rhino was known to inhabit the sub-Saharan savanna of Africa in large numbers, but started to diminish because of poaching.
The black rhino had a height of 4.6 to 5.9 feet, a length of 9.8 to 12.3 feet and weigh around 1,800 to 3,100 pounds. It has two horns with length 1.6 to 4.6 feet and 0.79 to 21.65 inches respectively. The black rhinos mainly fed on leafed plants and shoots.
Unfortunately, they got extinct due to the belief that the task of the black rhinos had medicinal value, so that people hunted them.
- Pinta Island Tortoise
Just like its name, Pinta Island tortoise belonged to Pinta Island in Ecuador. It was considered extinct after the last known species named Lonesome George died on 24th June 2012.
Pinta Island tortoise rested for around 16 hours a day and primarily fed on cactus pads, greens, native fruits and grasses. They also drank large quantities of water that were stored in their bodies. They were believed to be able to survive without food or water for about 6 months!
However, due to goat immigration to the island, the population of Pinta Island tortoise was declining. The goats were believed to be the detriment of the tortoise’s food and natural habitat.
- Eastern Cougar
The next animal which got extinct in the 21st century is the eastern cougar. It is also known as ghost cat, puma, painter, panther, mountain lion or cougar. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) concluded that in 2011, there was no evidence of the eastern cougar living within its enormous habitat.
There were some experts that suggested the cougars’ decline happened when the European immigrants started to kill these animals to protect their families and livestock. Cougars are classified as one of the South American wild cats.
- Formosan Clouded Leopard
The Formosan clouded leopard is a subspecies of the clouded leopard, which is endemic to the Taiwan Island. It was considered as the second largest carnivorous animal in Taiwan after the Formosan black bear.
However, due to illegal logging activities, the natural habitat of this leopard had been destroyed. The Formosan clouded leopard was considered extinct in 2013.
- Pyrenean Ibex
Known as bucardo, Pyrenean ibex was one of the subspecies of the Spanish ibex. This animal was endemic to the Iberian Peninsula and the males were known for their large curving horns. Meanwhile, the females had similar look with the female deer.
There were no definite reasons of this animal extinction, however, some experts suggested that the introduced species, such as domestic goats, cattle and horses, contributed to the decline population. The last bucardo named Celia, was killed in 2000 after it was hit by a falling branch.
- Chinese Paddlefish
The Chinese paddlefish lived only in the Yangtze River, China. The contruction of the Gezhouba Dam in 1981 had been the beginning of the steep decline of the population of the Chinese paddlefish.
The dam blocked the migration route of the fish so that it prevented the adult fish to reach their spawning grounds in the upper part of the river. Moreover, paddlefish also swam in schools along the river, making them easy to catch for fishing nets.
Besides Chinese paddlefish, there are also some endangered animals in China we all need to protect.
- Golden Toad
Golden toads were known to live only in the Reserva Biologica Monteverde, Costa Rica. At the beginning of each year’s rainy season, these toad bred in the temporary pools.
However, it was reported that in 1996, the population of golden toads had been critically endangered. Then, in 2004, it went extinct. What caused it to get extinct? Experts believed that the increased temperatures caused by global warming triggered the growth of chytrid fungus, which is deadly to ambiphians.
Let’s get to know the other species that are endangered too, such as listed in endangered animals of the Southeast Asia.