Endangered species

An endangered species is a  group of animals or plants which is threatened by becoming extinct. This could happen because there are few of that animal left, its predators have grown in number, or the climate that it lives in is changing, or the places it lives in have been destroyed. 

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has worked out that endangered species are 40% of all organisms. 
How to get rid of endangered species

Many countries have laws to protect these plants and animals. These laws, if obeyed, can save species by stopping hunting, land development or making parks and reserves. Poaching and other illegal activities, however, can still destroy them. 

Only a few plants and animals at risk of extinction, mostly vertebrates, are put on the lists and get legal protection. Many more species become extinct, or will become extinct, without people knowing about it.

Mammal
This is a list of some mammals that are endangered. They include:
 Asiatic linsang
 Asiatic lion
 Black-footed ferret
 Black rhinoceros
 Blue whale
 Dhole
 Ethopian wolf
 Hairy-eared dwarf lemur
 Indonesian mountain weasel
 Snow leopard
 Tiger
 White rhinoceros  (currently considered as near endangered)

Birds
Endangered birds include:
 Albatross
 Crowned solitary eagle
 Grey parrot

Related pages
 CITES
 IUCN Red List
 Protected area

Further reading
Endangered or Not, but at Least No Longer Waiting March 6, 2013 New York Times

 References