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Most Endangered Species in North America

 
Amy McCready
By Amy McCready, Animal rights journalist. Updated: November 1, 2017
Most Endangered Species in North America

North America's fauna is rapidly crumbling. More and more of the continent's beautiful and dynamic wildlife are now critically endangered . Whether it be from environmental diseases, parasite infestations, poachers or countless other causes, they are quite literally on the brink of extinction.

Today, AnimalWised wants to inform you of the 9 most endangered species in North America, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Although it may not seem likely at first, we can indeed aid the prevention of extinction through education and awareness. So, let's get onto our list.

You may also be interested in: Most Endangered Animals in Europe

1. Vancouver Marmot

The Vancouver marmot ( Marmota vancouverensis ) is a critically endangered species living in the open alpine habitat of Vancouver Island in British Columbia . If you do not know what a marmot is, picture a large squirrel and you will have a rough idea. Better yet, take a look at the image below.

These furry herbivores stay in their small groups of one to three and can be found in highly elevated forests. It is not certain how many marmots there were before experts began counting in 1979. However, it is known that numbers have deteriorated from several hundred in the 1980s to a miniscule 30, in 2003 [1] .

The reason for the population decline of these cute creatures isprimarily due to climate change affecting their habitat.Rising temperatures have caused the loss of open alpine landscapes, resulting in poor survival rates. Likewise, the unfortunate clear-cutting of Vancouver Island's forests has made a detrimental impact.

Since then, conservation authorities have bred some in captivity to increase their numbers. The marmot population has in fact increased to an estimated 200. However, these rare mammals are incredibly vulnerable to wolves, cougars and even birds.

Most Endangered Species in North America - 1. Vancouver Marmot

2. Red wolf

The red wolf ( Canis rufus ) is another critically endangered species of wolf that is native to the Eastern US. Today, only a mere 50 red wolves remain in the wild in North Carolina. However, 200 red wolves are in captive breeding facilities around the US [2] .

There are several reasons as to why their population has plummeted. Persecution by ranchers, environmental diseases, parasite infestations, and lack of food and resources. Although conservation efforts increased the number of red wolves, there is a new risk to them. What you will do throughout this article is that climate change is a huge factor and a huge problem.

The rise of sea levels may end up completely covering the red wolf's coastal home. Having said this, Alligator River scientists are planting soil-stabilizing trees, to protect the refuge from higher tides and stronger storms. These provide the wolves with more time to move inland to the coastline shifts.

Most Endangered Species in North America - 2. Red wolf

3. Pygmy Raccoon

Just off the coast of Mexico on Cozumel Island you will find the pygmy raccoon ( Procyon pygmaeus ). This species mainly resides in the mangrove forests and wetlands near the coast. Similarly to the other endangered animals of North America, there are only a few hundred left in the world.

The sad reason for their decline is due to the rise of tourism on the island. Scientists fear that new roads, hotels and golf courses will use up fresh water that is vital for the raccoons' survival.

Furthermore, feral cats and dogs are a threat to these creatures as they carry infectious diseases.

Most Endangered Species in North America - 3. Pygmy Raccoon

4. Staghorn coral

Staghorn coral ( Acropora cervicornis ) is a critically endangered species of coral. It is mainly found in back reef and fore reef habitats off the coast of the United States (US), Caribbean islands and the Great Barrier Reef.

The staghorn coral is highly susceptible to variances in temperature and salinity, factors which are influenced by the changing environmental patterns. Other factors leading to the decline of this species include extensive predation and disease outbreaks.

In the past 30 years, the Caribbean has lost 80 percent of its corals. Unfortunately, the coral staghorn was one of these victims. Since 1980, populations have declined by almost 90% in some areas , a huge number.

Industrial temperatures have increased by 1.3 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 19th century, and the ocean's acidity has increased by 30 percent since the start of the Industrial Revolution. As a result, corals are bleaching and struggling to deposit calcium-carbonate exoskeletons that form reefs. We discuss the effects of mass bleaching on AnimalWised.

Most Endangered Species in North America - 4. Staghorn coral

5. Oahu tree snails

There are 41 species of Oahu tree snails ( Achatinella ), and every single one is threatened today. These Hawaiian snails used to cover the entire island of Oahu but now can only be found on the high ridges of its two extinct volcanoes. Their low fertility rate and loss of habitat are two main factors that have resulted in their epic decline in population.

They have also been greatly affected by disturbances in the ecosystem caused by human activities, and their shells are often extracted by collectors too.

In fact, the Hawaiian Islands, where the remaining remaining snails reside, is also referred to as the "Endangered Species Capital of the World". A sad reality.

Most Endangered Species in North America - 5. Oahu tree snails

6. Giant seabass

Another critically endangered species, the giant sea bass ( Stereolepis gigas ) is found along the reefs of the US West Coast, from Northern California to Baja and the Gulf of California. Their population has been depleted by commercial and sport fishing. Many think the numbers of the giant seabass are recovering, but there is not enough evidence to support this.

They can reach lengths of seven feet and weights of 500 pounds or more. These huge fish eat smaller sea creatures like anchovies, sardines, crabs and even small sharks! Live near kelp beds and feast on smaller fish such as anchovies and sardines, along with crabs, spiny lobster and even small sharks.

Most Endangered Species in North America - 6. Giant seabass

7. Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

The smallest of all marine turtles, the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle ( Lepidochelys kempii ), is a critically endangered species found in the Atlantic, off the eastern coast of the US and Mexico.

They have been assigned a protective status but unfortunately too late after they were extensively poached for their meat. Often these poor turtles are killed after getting tangled in fishing nets and equipment. Of course, water pollution and habitat are factors that have led to their decline. [3]

There is now a system of reserves for these turtles, including the Rancho Nuevo beach. People as far as Massachusetts have helped by rescuing any turtles that take a wrong turn and get stuck at Cape Cod Bay. These efforts have seen success and around 8,000 Kemp's ridley sea turtles nested in 2009. Happy news.

Most Endangered Species in North America - 7. Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

8. Franklin's Bumblebee

HJ Franklin's bumblebee ( Bombus franklini ) is actually considered by some to be extinct in the wild. But officially, they are critically endangered. This species of bee has such a vital role in the pollination of many wildflower species, such as horsemint and lupines, their decline is making an impact.

Named after entomologist Henry J. Franklin, this US only species has been negatively impacted by habitat degradation, pesticides, and pathogen spillage. They are known to live in a narrow 190-mile stretch of southern Oregon and northern California, between the Sierra-Cascade and the Coast Mountains.

Most Endangered Species in North America - 8. Franklin's Bumblebee

9. California Condor

This critically endangered bird has a nine-and-a-half-foot wingspan , deep black feathers and a bare pink head. They are incredibly impressive to look at.

The California Condor ( Gymnogyps californianus ), has fallen victim to indiscriminate poaching, habitat destruction and death by lead poisoning.

Wildlife Service captured the last nine in the wild and placed them in a breeding program. Seven years later, the birds were reintroduced into California. About 150 birds have been released into the wild, and with natural breeding the population has risen to around 300 birds. A promising change, but a lot will need to be done to preserve this number and help it grow.

Most Endangered Species in North America - 9. California Condor

A special dedication...

Sadly, the formerly critically endangered Rabbs' fringe-limbed treefrog has recently become extinct.

This arboreal species of frog was known to inhabit the tree canopies in the forests of central Panama and was only discovered in 2005.

Despite efforts by conservation teams to save them, fungal disease triggered by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis wiped out huge numbers of the frog.

Unfortunately the last remaining Rabbs' fridge-limbed treefrog, a male named Toughie, died in September of 2016. He resided at the Atlanta Botanical Garden until then.

Most Endangered Species in North America - A special dedication...

How can I save endangered animals?

The easiest things you can do to help the preservation of wildlife are:

  • Learn about endangered species in your area
  • Support or volunteer at your national wildlife refuge or park
  • Avoid erbicides and pesticides
  • Recycle and buy sustainable products
  • Educate others

If you want to read similar articles to Most Endangered Species in North America, we recommend you visit our Endangered animals category.

References
    1. Marmot Recovery Foundation (2015). "The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis)". Nanaimo, BC. [Accessed 3 Aug. 2017].
    2. Service, U. (2017). Red Wolf Recovery Program. [Online] Fws.gov. Available at: https://www.fws.gov/redwolf/ [Accessed 3 Aug. 2017].
    3. Nmfs.noaa.gov. (2017). Kemp's Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) :: NOAA Fisheries. [online] Available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/turtles/kempsridley.html [Accessed 5 Aug. 2017].

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