Over the past decades, we’ve seen the number of endangered species grow. It has been heartbreaking to think that we might wake up one day with them already extinct. Thankfully, some people have devoted their lives to the conservation of these beautiful and unique animals. If you’re in the mood to read some great news today, look no further.
Here are 30 beautiful animals that are recovering from their status as endangered animals.
1. The Panda Bear
Panda bears, popular for their bamboo chomping ways and adorable black and white coloring, have been on the endangered species list since 1990. However, in 2016, they managed to bounce back, with around 1800 in the wild. They are now thriving!
2. The Grizzly Bear
Source: ShutterstockSpeaking of bears, the Yellowstone grizzly bear is steadily increasing in popular and is now officially off the list.
3. The Southern White Rhino
Like elephants, rhinos have been a popular target of poachers for years, causing these animals to become endangered over time. The good news is the number of southern white rhinos has increased after officials implemented strict anti-poaching measures.
4. The Gray Wolves
These majestic creatures have been at risk since 1960. But, there has been a steady increase in their population. They’re free to howl at the moon for the rest of their days.
5. The Humpback Whale
Perhaps one of the largest animals on the planet, the mighty humpback whale was once at the top list of the most endangered species in 1970.
6. The Arabian Oryx
Not familiar with the Arabian Oryx? It’s an antelope with great antlers that lives in the desert of the Arabian Peninsula. It was almost wiped out completely if the Endangered Species Act had not been enacted.
7. The Sea Turtle
Poachers and fishermen were the reasons that the sea turtle population dwindled. Fortunately, it’s now on the incline, with their numbers shooting up to 980 percent.
8. The Steller Sea Lion
Source: ShutterstockAnother animal sworn to be protected by the Endangered Species Act, the Steller sea lion is now seeing some substantial growth. They would have been on their way to extinction if it were not for these laws.
9. The Northern Brown Kiwi
This flightless bird hails from New Zealand and is known for it’s adorable ‘fruit-like’ appearance. It’s also around the size of a chicken.
In 2019, there were about 68,000 of these birds left on the planet.
Their species was threatened for a variety of reasons. Predators like wild ferrets would raid nests. As more people moved into some regions of the country, the kiwi’s numbers continued to race downward. However, two types of kiwis are now experiencing growth in their respective populations: the Northern Brown Kiwi and the Rowi.
10. The Californian Condor
The Californian Condor is another bird that required saving. Unlike the kiwi, this bird has a giant wingspan of 10 feet!
11. The Red Wolf
The russet-colored canine is native to the southeastern part of the United States. It was the world’s most endangered canid at a time and was nearly wiped out if the species had not been reintroduced in 1987.
12. The Bald Eagle
The bald eagle has been a symbol of this country’s strength and resilience for years. Unfortunately, this majestic bird was on the brink of extinction until recently. It’s one of the many birds that was able to soar its way off the endangered species list.
13. The Black-Footed Ferret
These cuddly creatures can also be found outside of pet shops and in the wild. Native to the North American Great Plains, the black-footed ferret was reintroduced in 1996.
14. The Whooping Crane
Source: ShutterstockKnown for its grace, the Whooping Crane is also the tallest bird found in North America. In 1941, there were only 15 birds left — now, there are nearly 500 in the wild and in captivity.
15. The Louisiana Black Bear
This bear can be found along the Mississippi River. Deforestation caused their numbers to dwindle dramatically, but it has now recovered. Furthermore, the Louisiana Black Bear has been delisted from the endangered species list.
16. The Monito Gecko
This Puerto Rican lizard measures in at only half an inch. Efforts to protect this tiny creature started in 1982.
17. The Lesser Long-nosed Bat
Also known as the Mexican long-nosed bad, this winged mammal’s success story marked the first of its kind. This creature was the first bat to be delisted as an endangered species, marking a historic moment for animals fighting for their chance at survival everywhere.
18. The Chatham Petrel
This is another bird that hails from New Zealand, but unlike the kiwi, this little guy can fly. It spends most of its time by the sea. Measures for recovery started in 1992 when burrows with artificial entrances were blockaded to keep this bird safe from other predators.
19. The Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon broke all expectations when it doubled its estimated survival rate. Since 2019, 56 pairs are now living in the wild.
20. The Aleutian Canada Goose
Source: ShutterstockThis species of bird is quite the historical marvel. It was one of the first species documented by North American explorers Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition. They were feared to be extinct in 1950, but they are no longer facing this drastic status.
21. California Least Tern
This bird lives along the southern coast, and is believed to be a threatened species. This means there’s still conservation work to be done — but experts don’t think it will go extinct either.
22. The Shortnose Sturgeon
This 21-pound fish is one of the rarest fish living in the ocean. They cannot be caught legally while fishing, as they are a protected species.
23. The Channel Island Fox
These foxes are docile in nature. They have also made a huge comeback! Their recovery broke records as they were the fastest species to be removed from the endangered species list.
24. The Piping Plover
This bird resides near the water. Restoration to its ecosystem was paramount in helping these animals thrive.
25. The Brown Pelican
Soaring in at number 25, this shoreside bird is now thriving in the wild. Their population is expected to continue growing as the years pass by.
26. Puerto Rican Parrot
This colorful and lively bird was critically endangered. But their numbers are rising, meaning not all hope is lost for this stunning parrot.
27. The Siberian Tiger
Source: ShutterstockPerhaps one of the most beautiful big cats — and certainly one of the most dangerous — has been facing extinction for years due to illegal hunting. Luckily, through diligent conservation efforts, their numbers are expected to continue to rise slowly.
28. The Galapagos Giant Tortoise
This giant tortoise was nearly wiped out due to pirates and poachers. Now, there are almost 20,000 found on Earth!
29. The Flying Squirrel
This unique mammal faced near extinction due to habitat loss. It became a delisted species in 2013.
30. The Mountain Gorilla
Lastly, we have one of the most intelligent and strong animals on the planet coming at number 30 on this list. The mountain gorilla population was thankfully stripped of its unfortunate’ critically endangered’ title in 2018. Their numbers grew from 680 to 1000.
Wrapping Up
The animal kingdom is home to the most diverse and unique creatures on the planet. Therefore, it can be hard to hear about some species going extinct. However, conservation and habitat restoration efforts have given these animals a second chance to thrive for many generations to come.
