Asia's Critically Endangered Animals

Home to the fastest-growing cities of the world, Asia is thriving. But lest we forget, the Earth is also home to our animal friends, some of which are in great danger because of our desire to progress as a society.

RUSSIA

Amur Leopard

The Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) knows no boundaries, and has been found crossing between China, Russia, and North Korea. It has the characteristics of most leopards with its tendency to thrive in solitude and its ability to run at high speeds. However, what sets the Amur leopard apart is its adaptation to the cold winters of the region. Today, there are only about 84 of these animals remaining in the wild, but with the hope its once critically endangered cousin – the Amur tiger – has given us, the Amur leopard population may still stand a chance of recovery.

CHINA / MONGOLIA

Wild Bactrian Camel

About 1,400 wild Bactrian camels (Camelus ferus) live in northern China and southern Mongolia, in the Gobi Desert, and are a genetically different, much smaller species than the Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus). Technically speaking, the wild Bactrian camel is the only wild example of its kind in existence today, with others being largely domesticated. The wild Bactrian camel has been hunted for its meat and hide for over 200 years, and they are the eighth most endangered large mammals in the world. Plans for conservation are being discussed and implemented by the Wild Camel Protection Foundation.

CHINA

South China Tiger

The South China tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) has not been seen in the wild for about 25 years. Hunted initially either as pests or for their fur, only 30 to 40 tigers were estimated to remain by 1987. Today, it is unclear if the tiger still roams the mountains of Sichuan, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi and Fujian Provinces. While there is no concrete evidence of their existence outside of conservation habitats, we keep our fingers crossed and stay hopeful.

MALAYSIA