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Global Animal Guide

Conservation

Which animals are endangered, and how you can help

The IUCN Red List ranks species by how close they are to extinction, from Least Concern to Critically Endangered. Of the animals in this guide, 130 are considered threatened. Learning about them is the first step; funding their protection is the next.

130 animals in this guide are Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Each profile explains the threats and links to ways you can help fund protection through World Animal Rescue Network.

World Animal Rescue Network funds their protection on the ground — support their work .

What the conservation statuses mean

Critically Endangered
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Endangered
Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Vulnerable
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Near Threatened
Likely to become threatened in the near future.
Least Concern
Widespread and abundant, with stable populations.
Not Evaluated
Not yet formally assessed on the IUCN Red List.
Data Deficient
Too little information is available to assess its risk of extinction.
Domesticated
Bred and kept by humans; not assessed as a wild species on the IUCN Red List.

Ways to help and give wisely

Whether you want to give, sponsor, adopt or simply travel responsibly, these guides explain how it works so your support reaches the animals.

How to help endangered animals

Practical ways to make a difference, from everyday choices to supporting the right organisations.

How to choose an animal charity

A plain-English checklist for vetting any animal cause before you give.

Ways to give

One-off gifts, monthly giving, sponsorship and legacies — and how each helps.

Symbolic animal adoption

What symbolic adoption is, how it works, and what your gift actually funds.

Sponsor a species

How species sponsorship supports habitat protection and on-the-ground care.

What happens to rescued animals

From rescue and rehabilitation to release or lifelong care — and what they eat.

Ethical animal tourism

How to see wildlife without funding cruelty, and how to spot a genuine sanctuary.

Most at-risk animals in the guide

Ranked from the most threatened. Each guide explains the dangers each species faces and ends with a way to help.

Every animal by status

Critically Endangered 22 animals
Endangered 43 animals
Vulnerable 65 animals
Near Threatened 19 animals
Least Concern 325 animals
Not Evaluated 5 animals
Data Deficient 1 animal
Domesticated 17 animals
What "endangered" really means Rarest animals Browse Critically Endangered