There are African lions and Asiatic lions. The former’s population has dwindled from 450,000 in the 1940s to as low as 20,000 today. A single population of 500 Asiatic lions clings to life in the Indian state of Gujarat. Conflict between man and lion is the main threat, and trophy hunting is also an issue. Why kill such majestic creatures? We need a healthier relationship with this big cat.

Lemur
Leaf Frog

Found in Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama, the Lemur leaf frog population has fallen drastically by more than 80%. Habitat loss and possibly a fungal disease are the main culprits, and research is ongoing to ascertain the definite issues and potential remedies. Captive breeding programs are underway to help the frog bounce back.

Garden
Bumblebee

Two hundred seventy-five species of bees exist in the world, making honey and pollinating crops throughout the world. Threatened by the loss of wildflowers and the damage done by the use of pesticides (such as neonicotinoids) their numbers are dwindling, and soon the buzz may be missing from a summer’s day. You can help by planting wildflowers that appeal to the bees.

Orangutan

In the threatened rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra orangutan numbers have plummeted from more than 300,000 to about 70,000. Often considered pests that destroy crops, adults are regularly killed, leaving orphaned infants which end up either in the pet trade or, with luck, a rehabilitation center. Much of their homeland has been cleared for palm oil production, and the remaining forests need 24-hour protection to stop the first great ape extinction.

Western
European
Hedgehog

In the 1950s it was estimated that there were 30 million hedgehogs in the UK . . . but now there are likely less than a million. Habitat loss in both urban and rural areas is the main problem. The hedgehog has been on Earth for more than 15 million years, surviving everything this world has thrown at it. The 21st century, however, is proving to be its spikiest test yet.

Largetooth
Sawfish

This once-abundant sawfish inhabits various areas of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, with sightings becoming increasingly rare. Sawfish parts are used in Chinese medicine and shark fin soup, and the rostrum (the elongated snout lined with saw-like teeth) is often displayed as a decorative curio or trophy. Irresponsible fishing methods accidentally trap sawfish in nets, but new techniques could protect this unusual fish from becoming no more than a historical relic on a dusty shelf

Once there were 850,000 black rhinos roaming the planet, but human encroachment, habitat change for agricultural purposes, and poaching for rhino horns saw their numbers dwindle to next to nothing. Chinese medicine uses the horn for various ailments, and recently in Vietnam it was alleged to be a cure for cancer—creating a whole new market (and problem). Although conservation has helped the black rhino’s numbers rise to around 5,000, education is imperative and awareness campaigns can teach people the truth about rhinos and their horns.

Grey
Nurse Shark

Found across most subtropical and warmer oceans, this shark is hunted for its oil and fins, which are used in soup. Modern fishing methods accidentally ensnare this critter in nets—but a change to smaller meshes could stop the shark from being regularly caught as bycatch. Off the east coast of Australia, especially, the grey nurse shark population is listed as “Critically Endangered” and the numbers keep plummeting. This shark needs serious “nursing” back to full health.