14 Extinct Animal Species – Slideshow

Climate change, human activities, urbanization, hunting and poaching, destruction of natural habitats… Animals are disappearing from the Earth every day, every month, and every year with varying degrees of impact.

Chinese River Dolphin, Declared Extinct in 2006

Also known as the Baiji or Lipotes Vexillifer, the Chinese river dolphin officially disappeared from the waters of this Earth in 2006.

It was a freshwater dolphin, a unique species, whose extinction is largely attributable to human activity: the Baiji lived only in a single river in China, the Yangtze. Yet, in that region, thousands of boats navigated the waters, hindering the dolphins’ movement, increasing the risk of capture, collisions, and injuries, not to mention water pollution.

West African Black Rhinoceros, Declared Extinct in 2011

Since 2011, it is official: the Diceros bicornis longipes West African black rhinoceros is extinct. This subspecies, which lived mainly in Cameroon, did not survive the relentless poaching, even after the animal was placed under protection.

Other rhinos are also nearing extinction, such as the Java rhinoceros. In general, this mammal bears a heavy burden from poaching.

Caribbean Monk Seal, Extinct in 2008

Although the last specimen to be formally identified was seen for the last time in 1952, it was not until 2008 that the Caribbean monk seal was declared definitively extinct.

The animal was heavily hunted in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly for its fat used in oil lamps.

Canary Islands Oystercatcher, Extinct in 1994

The Canary Islands oystercatcher or Haematopus meadewaldoi was a bird that, as its name suggests, lived on the Canary island. Its disappearance in 1994 would be largely due to the decline in the availability of crustaceans that formed its main food source.

Experts do not know exactly when the animal disappeared, but local authorities insist they have not seen it since 1940.

Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Extinct in 1994

In 1944, this grand woodpecker was last seen. The bird long suffered from poaching for its beak, its head prized by tribal leaders, and its red crest.

Declared extinct, the bird may have been sighted in 2005 by some biologists. If this information could not be verified, it offers a glimmer of hope.

Oustalet’s Duck, Extinct in 2004

This duck, living only on three small Pacific islands, ultimately disappeared after its habitat was altered: the marshes where it lived were drained for agricultural needs, and World War II also transformed the area.

Ultimately, the last known wild pair of Oustalet’s ducks was sighted in 1979.

Dusky Seaside Sparrow, Extinct in 1987

The Dusky Seaside Sparrow owes its extinction directly to human activity. Indeed, it was wiped out after a DDT treatment—an effective insecticide—to its natural habitat, for NASA-related purposes, leading to vanish the populations.

With humans having drastically altered its ecosystem, the bird could not survive and it was officially declared extinct in 1990, three years after the last living specimen was observed.

Mexican Grizzly Bear, Extinct in 1964

Sous-espèce de l’ours brun, le Grizzly Mexicain vivait essentiellement aux États-Unis, en Arizona ou au Nouveau-Mexique. De grande taille et pouvant peser jusqu’à 300 kilos, l’animal a sans doute disparu à la suite d’une campagne d’éradication, avant d’être déclaré éteint en 1964.

Tiger de Java, Disparu en 1994

Endemic to the island of Java, as its name implies, the Java tiger has been declared extinct since 1994. The animal suffered especially from the loss of its natural habitat to make way for agricultural land for humans.

Japanese Sea Lion, Extinct in 1974

It’s hard to know exactly why the Japanese sea lion disappeared. The most plausible explanation is a combination of factors: hunting and poaching for its fat, skin, and organs, capture, loss of its natural habitat…

Pyrenean Ibex, Declared Extinct in 2000

Sous-espèce du bouquetin ibérique, le bouquetin des Pyrénées a été déclaré éteint en 2000. L’ADN de l’animal a été prélevé par les scientifiques qui ont tenté de l’introduire dans l’organisme d’une chèvre classique. Un clone est né, mais il est rapidement décédé de problèmes pulmonaires.

Golden Toad, Extinct in 1989

Endemic to Costa Rica, the golden toad stood out for its small size, but above all its brilliant golden-orange, phosphorescent color. Because the amphibian was extremely elusive, scientists cannot confirm with 100% certainty that the golden toad has disappeared, but it has not been seen for many years and has endured numerous climate-related setbacks that have likely wiped out the species.

Gastric-Brooding Frog, Extinct in 1983

An Australian endemic, the gastric-brooding frog had a remarkable trait: it swallowed its eggs once fertilized and “gave birth” to a frog when the youngster emerged from its mouth, fully formed.

The last living gastric-brooding frog died in a laboratory in 1983. Scientists studied the species in hopes of finding a treatment for ulcers, since the female frog could bring a youngster back up from its stomach without suffering gastric acids.

Pinta Island Tortoise, Extinct in 2012

No one knew the exact age of the last individual, other than that he was over 100 years old.

So many disappeared species that humanity could not save, and worse, that were killed by human activity. Today, numerous associations and organizations work to protect endangered species, with the IUCN and its famous Red List leading the way.