Southeast Asia is a home of biodiversity of different and unique species of animals. Just mention orangutan, Asian elephant, and Sumatran tiger. Those species of animals are spread widely through the big countries of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. Also look at these animals native to Southeast Asia too!

Sadly saying, despite the amazing characteristics of the animals, the population of the some animals critically decline. The reasons are mostly because of humans’ actions, including deforestation, illegal hunting and pollution as well. Let’s see and try to save these 5 endangered animals in Southeast Asia.

Javanese Rhinoceros

Javanese rhinoceros is one of the most widespread rhino in Asia. However, in the 19^th and 20^th century, the population of this big animal keeps declining. Now, there are only around 60 remain left in the world, and it shows that they are critically endangered.

As the last Javanese rhino in Vietnam was poached in 2010, the entire population of this species now can only be found in a small protected area in Indonesia, namely the Ujung Kulon National Park in Java.

This animal is famous for having one horn and the skin that folds over. Get to know more about this species by reading let’s get closer with Javanese rhino.

Green Sea Turtle

Another species of endangered animals in Southeast Asia is the green sea turtle. This species of sea turtle is considered as the most recognizable species in the world.

To reach sexual maturity, a green sea turtle takes between 20 to 50 years. The green sea turtles love to nest in some parts of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. Spend some time reading about these facts of green turtle and their physical features.

Unfortunately, the population of this animal is critically declining due to pollution and urbanization that caused their habitat to be destroyed. The little turtles get confused because of the lights from home and buildings and as a result, they crawl towards the light instead of to the ocean. Hence, they are giving more chance for predators too.

Green sea turtles are named that way because of the color of their fat and cartilage. They are able to grow up to 3 feet across and weigh up to 350 pounds.

Orangutan

Orangutan is known to be the highly intelligent creature around the world as it resembles humans. The name itself derives from the Malay language means “a person of the forest”.

Orangutans are equipped with an impressive arm span, as some males can stretch their arms up to 2 meters. These arms enable them to spend most of their time living in trees, sleeping in leafy nests and using large leaves as shelter from rain.

Orangutans only live in a specific areas and dependent upon forests. Due to this fact, their population is mostly threatened by deforestation and surprisingly, they have lost more than 80% of their habitat over the last 20 years.

Pangolin

Pangolin is a very unique animal as it is covered in hard scales made of keratin. Keratin is a natural substance that our fingernails, a rhinoceros’s horn and bird talons are made of.

However, this pangolin is one of the most hunted animals around the world. It is also one of the native animals from Southeast Asia. Pangolin is also one of the animals native to Thailand.

Pangolin got its name from the Malay language “pengguling” that means “rolling up”. This little creature has rolling into a ball as the defense mechanism to protect itself from a predator.

Its common predators are tigers and also humans. Unfortunately, instead of defending itself, its defense mechanism makes it easier for poachers to simply lift the animal and take it away.

There are over 100,000 pangolins are estimated to be captured and killed every year. Poachers kill them to get their nest and scales sold. Pangolins scales are known to be used in some traditional medicines, though the trading this is considered illegal.

Sumatran Tiger

There’re estimated around 400 Sumatran Tiger left in this world, and they are mostly found in the forests of Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Historically, tiger skin is believed to have some magical protective powers and some tiger parts are used to cure some diseases, including rheumatism to impotence.

Sadly saying, those are the reasons why the population of Sumatra tiger keeps declining. The conservation efforts are kept continuing by increasing the reinforcement of the laws. Deforestation is also another cause of the declining population of this amazing animal.

Sumatra tigers are known to have more frequency of stripes than other tigers and prominent ruff too. Get to know more about the distinctive features of a Sumatran tiger and the reasons behind the Sumatran tigers population decline.