Nothing cheers people up like playing with, or watching videos of, cute, clumsy kittens or puppies. Animals like dogs or cats have been scientifically proven to help relieve stress and can be a great addition to many families. But, what about animals that aren’t domesticated like cats and dogs? What about animals that are on the endangered species list? Well here is a list of the cutest endangered animals so they can get some love too.
Amur Leopards
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These cats are native to Southeastern Russia but have long been threatened by poaching, due to their eye appealing coat. Amur leopards are considered critically endangered as there are only 19 to 26 left in the world.
Slow Loris
You may or may not have seen the exceptionally cute video that went viral of the Slow Loris eating a rice ball, but the Slow Loris are major targets for animal trafficking. Aside from hunters, they are threatened by habitat loss due to logging in Southeast Asia and their population is declining.
Pileated Gibbons
Look at that face! The Pileated Gibbons is native to countries like Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. There are only 32,000 of these little guys left in the world according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. One fun fact: they live in monogamous pairs in the wild. Like many endangered species, they too feel threatened by hunting and extreme habitat loss.
Mexican Axolotls
This uniquely cute salamander is only found in the Mexican lake, Lake Xochimilco. They live entirely underwater but they face threats from many angles. Lake Xochimilco is often drained to provide water for nearby Mexico City and the Mexican Axolotls has also lost numbers from invasive species like carp and tilapia that are definite predators. Additionally, roasted Axolotl is considered a delicacy in Mexico. As a result, there are only 1,200 Mexican Axolotls left today.
Egyptian Tortoises
The world’s smallest tortoise is nearing extinction in areas like Libya and Egypt primarily due to habitat destruction along the coast. However, they are also threatened by hunting for folk medicine and illegal pet trade. Sadly, there are only 7,500 left in the world, and numbers only continue to decline.
Golden Lion Tamarin Monkey
These monkeys are around the size of a squirrel and have a long red coat. Living in the Amazon rain forest, primarily in Brazil, they face possible extinction as a result of deforestation and logging. There are only 800 left in the wild.
Giant Panda
The Giant Panda has become somewhat of a symbol for all endangered wildlife because of how cute they are. As many know, they suffer due to excessive hunting, and as a result of human expansion, a large decline in bamboo forests. Pandas can only be found in government protected reserves and there are only 2,000 left in the wild today.
Don't worry, I'm not trying to guilt you into donating any money today. Just a friendly reminder that aside from kittens and puppies there are more cute animals out there who deserve recognition!
