There are 8.7 million species of animals in the world! A species is a group of similar living things. A species is considered endangered if there are so few left alive that they might go extinct [no more individuals of the species are alive].
Sunda tigers are critically endangered [extremely high risk of extension]. The forest they live in is being cut down and they are hunted illegally for their fur. It is estimated there are less than 400 of these majestic tigers left. Scientists are working hard to protect the remaining Sunda tiger population. They are using cameras to track these tigers and find wildlife areas that need to be protected.
Rhinos are sometimes referred to as “living fossils.” They are one of the oldest types of mammals. It is estimated they have been on Earth for 50 million years! In the early 20th century, it was estimated there were over 70,000 black rhinos in the wild. They are now critically endangered; it is estimated that only 5,600 are left.
Black rhinos are poached [hunted illegally] for their horns. Conservationists [people who work to protect wildlife] work to prevent black rhinos from being hunted into extinction. In some places, conservationists and park rangers use night vision thermal technology to protect black rhinos from poachers. This technology allows them to see better at night and make sure poachers don’t enter protected wildlife areas.
What Do You Think? Why do you think it is important to protect animals?
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Photo Credit: (t)Brian Mckay Photography/Moment/Getty Images, (b)Aurora Photos/Alamy Stock Photo
