The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), also called the hairy rhinoceros or Asian two-horned rhinoceros, is a rare member of the rhinoceros family. It is one of five living rhinoceros species and the only species in its genus, Dicerorhinus. It is the smallest rhinoceros, but it is still a large animal.
The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is one of three types of Asian elephants. It lives on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. In 2011, the IUCN changed the Sumatran elephant’s conservation status to critically endangered.
The vaquita ( / v ə ˈ k iː t ə / və- KEE -tə ; Phocoena sinus ) is a type of porpoise found only in the northern part of the Gulf of California in Baja California, Mexico. It grows up to 150 cm (4.9 ft) long for females or 140 cm (4.6 ft) long for males, making it the smallest living member of the cetacean group, which includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. This species is very close to extinction and is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
The dugong ( / ˈ d ( j ) uː ɡ ɒ ŋ / ; Dugong dugon ) is a marine mammal. It is one of four living species in the order Sirenia, which also includes three types of manatees. It is the only living member of the family Dugongidae.
Sea otter conservation started in the early 1900s when sea otters were almost gone because of hunting for their valuable fur. Sea otters were once common in a wide area across the North Pacific Ocean, from northern Japan to Alaska to Mexico. By 1911, hunting had reduced their numbers to fewer than 2,000, mostly in remote and hard-to-reach places.
Whale conservation is the important work around the world to protect and keep whale populations safe. These whales have faced dangers in the past because of human actions, especially whaling. People today discuss different opinions and ideas about how to protect whales, including topics like studying whales for science, traditions involving whales, the cost of protecting them, and whether it is right to hunt whales.
There are three types of orangutans. The Bornean orangutan, which is the most common, lives in Kalimantan, Indonesia, and in Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysia. The Sumatran orangutan and the Tapanuli orangutan both live only in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Estimating the number of polar bears and how their populations are changing is challenging because they live in remote areas and are spread out over large regions with few individuals. Studying polar bears in the wild can also be dangerous for researchers. As of 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reported that there are between 22,000 and 31,000 polar bears worldwide, but scientists do not know if the population is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same.
The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a large feline and the only living animal in the genus Acinonyx. It is known as a pursuit predator and is the fastest land animal, able to run at speeds of 93–104 km/h (58–65 mph). It has adapted for speed with strong back legs, long limbs, and a spine that can bend easily.
Tiger conservation works to stop tigers from disappearing forever. It also helps protect their natural homes. This is a major goal for groups around the world that work to protect animals.