Video: Endangered Animal Species

Leopards, rhinos, gorillas, pandas, polar bears ... Why are all these animals endangered? In this video you will learn about endangered animals species, the reasons why they are threatened and how you can help.

About one third of all animals and plants are endangered to become extinct. No good news, unfortunately. How do they actually become endangered? And what animal species are affected? Find out more in 14 Critically Endangered Animals!

Amur Leopard

The Amur leopard is one of the most beautiful big cats. But also one of the world’s rarest. Its habitat is being increasingly destroyed due to deforestation and slash-and-burn. This is why the Amur leopard is an endangered species.

Black Rhinoceros

A rhino’s horn is a desired trophy for hunters and a valuable booty for poachers. They do not care that these animals are nearly extinct by now and that hunting rhinos is forbidden.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

This beautiful sea turtle is a protected species – nevertheless, it is being hunted because of its shell and meat. The pollution of the oceans is a threat to the hawksbill turtle, too. Particularly the plastic waste floating through the ocean. The turtles cannot distinguish this from jellyfish.

Mountain Gorilla

Poachers are the biggest threat for mountain gorillas. Due to deforestation and slash-and-burn it is getting increasingly difficult for the apes to stay in their habitats and to find enough food.

Pangolin

The scales of the pangolin are believed to be a medical cure. This belief is fatal for many of these animals. Yet, the scales actually consist of the same material as our fingernails.

Red Panda

The red panda feeds on bamboo. Due to deforestation it finds less and less food and protection. The red panda is also being hunted because of its beautiful coat.

Polar Bear

The polar bear lives in the arctic region and mainly feeds on seals. Due to global warming, the Arctic ice is increasingly melting. This means that the polar bear has to move further north again and again in order to survive.

Giant Panda

The giant panda also feeds on bamboo. The clearance of forests is not the only threat to them. The problem is that bamboo only blossoms about once every 100 years and then dies off because of a lack of nutrients. Therefore it is very difficult to reforest bamboo.

Why Do Animals Become Endangered?

A lot of animals lose their habitat due to global warming, deforestation, increasing pollution, hunting and poaching. Whew, all these animals are living too far away to help them. Don’t they? No, you don’t have to travel to the rain forests or rob your piggy bank. Here are six tips. They also help to protect a great number of endangered animals in YOUR region!

• Save energy
  Use your cloth bag if you go shopping. Plastic bags often are dumped in the nature, where the animals mistake them for food.
• Avoid plastic
  Gehe mit einer Stofftasche einkaufen. Plastiktaschen landen oft in der Natur, wo sie von Tieren für Futter gehalten werden.
• Save water
  Take a shower instead of a bath and don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth. Water is one of our most valuable resources – for all living creatures on our planet.
• Save the environment
  Use your bicycle and the bus. Less exhaust gases are also good for our own respiratory systems.
• Less fish and meat
  Many seas have been subject to overfishing so that the natural environment has lost its balance. In addition, large forests are being chopped down only to create large pastures for cattle.
• Food from your region
  Watch out where your food comes from. Regional products do not have to be transported for thousands of miles by plane, truck etc. This helps to save nature.