Orangutan portrait — Critically Endangered

Conservation

Species Profiles

Factual, in-depth conservation profiles for each species documented by the Trust — covering IUCN status, threats, and the work being done to protect them.

The Red List

From Vulnerable to Critically Endangered — the species we cannot afford to lose.

Every species listed below is classified by the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered. These are the animals whose populations are declining — some rapidly, some irreversibly. Understanding their status, their threats and their stories is the first step toward meaningful protection.

Critically Endangered

Pongo abelii (Sumatran), Pongo pygmaeus (Bornean), Pongo tapanuliensis (Tapanuli)

Orangutan

All three orangutan species are listed as Critically Endangered. Populations have declined sharply due to habitat loss from palm oil expansion and illegal logging.

Endangered

Loxodonta africana

African Elephant

The African elephant is the largest land animal on Earth. Once numbering in the millions across sub-Saharan Africa, decades of poaching for ivory and habitat loss have reduced populations dramatically. The species was uplisted from Vulnerable to Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2021.

Endangered to Critically Endangered

Hylobatidae family (multiple species)

Gibbon

Gibbons are among the most threatened primates. Most gibbon species are Endangered or Critically Endangered, primarily due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

Endangered (Grevy's)

Equus quagga (Plains), Equus zebra (Mountain), Equus grevyi (Grevy's)

Zebra

There are three zebra species, each with different conservation status. The Grevy's zebra is Endangered, the Mountain zebra is Vulnerable, and the Plains zebra is Near Threatened.

Vulnerable

Fratercula arctica

Atlantic Puffin

The Atlantic Puffin was uplisted to Vulnerable in 2015. Populations have declined significantly, driven largely by climate change impacts on prey fish and breeding failures.

Vulnerable

Panthera pardus

Leopard

The Leopard is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with declining populations across Africa and Asia due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

Vulnerable

Bubo scandiacus

Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl was uplisted to Vulnerable in 2017. Climate change is altering its Arctic breeding habitat and the lemming population cycles it depends on for food.

Vulnerable

Panthera leo (leucistic variant)

White Lion

White lions are not a separate species but a rare colour variant of the African lion. The African lion is classified as Vulnerable, with populations declining across much of its range.

Endangered

Panthera tigris

Tiger

The tiger is the largest cat species on Earth and is classified as Endangered. Wild populations have declined by over 95% in the last century, with fewer than 4,500 individuals remaining across all six surviving subspecies.

Vulnerable (Central American)

Saimiri (multiple species)

Squirrel Monkey

There are several species of squirrel monkey in the genus Saimiri. Most are classified as Least Concern, though the Central American squirrel monkey is Vulnerable and all species face pressure from habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

Every species has a story. Every story demands a response.

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