SPECIES THAT ARE GONE FOREVER – Here is the list of extinct animals that we’ve lost in the past hundred years.
Throughout Earth’s history, countless species have come and gone, creating a colorful tapestry of life. Unfortunately, some of our planet’s most stunning and unusual creatures disappeared forever. The extinction of animals serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of biodiversity and the urgent need for conservation efforts to safeguard our planet’s remaining species.
Extinction is a natural process that has been occurring for millions of years, with species evolving and going extinct as part of the Earth’s ever-changing ecosystems. The extinction of animals is a pressing global crisis that threatens the balance of our planet.
However, the current rate of extinction is alarmingly high, largely due to human activities such as habitat destruction, overhunting, pollution, and climate change.
The destruction of natural habitats is one of the primary causes of animal extinction. Overhunting and poaching pushed numerous species to the brink of extinction. Climate change also disrupted the habitats of animals. Many species are unable to survive in polluted environments.
Here is the list of extinct animals that we’ve lost forever.
Steller’s Sea Cow (Hydrodamalis gigas)
These huge sea creatures lived in the North Pacific. Human overhunting led to their extinction in the late 18th century, just decades after they were discovered.
Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus)
This carnivorous marsupial, also known as the thylacine, was native to Tasmania. In 1936, the last known individual died in captivity.
Dodo (Raphus cucullatus)
The dodo, a flightless bird native to the island of Mauritius, was perhaps one of the most iconic extinct species. It went extinct in the late 17th century, less than a century after humans arrived on the island.
Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius)
The passenger pigeon, once the most populous bird species in North America, was hunted to extinction in the early 20th century. Martha, the last known passenger pigeon, died in 1914.
Northern White Rhinoceros
The only two live northern white rhinos are both females after the last male died in March of 2018. Sudan, a 45-year-old male rhino, died of old age and an infection while under armed watch at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy.