Rooplekha Das
The world's most trafficked mammal, the Sunda pangolin is native to Southeast Asia's forests. Illegal hunting for its scales and meat has pushed this shy, nocturnal species to the brink, despite international bans on its trade.
Found only in Russia's Far East and northeastern China, the Amur leopard is among the rarest big cats on Earth. Habitat loss, declining prey, and human activity threaten its survival, though conservation efforts have helped stabilise its tiny population.
The smallest living tiger subspecies, the Sunda tiger survives only on Indonesia's Sumatra Island. Deforestation, poaching, and increasing human-wildlife conflict continue to endanger this critically important apex predator.
Living in the misty forests of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, mountain gorillas have made a remarkable comeback through conservation. However, habitat loss, disease, and human encroachment continue to threaten their future.
The world's only freshwater porpoise inhabits China's Yangtze River. Years of pollution, overfishing, and habitat degradation severely reduced its numbers, although strict conservation measures have recently shown encouraging signs of recovery.
Once devastated by large-scale poaching, the black rhino remains critically endangered across Africa. While conservation programmes have helped populations recover, illegal hunting for rhino horns continues to pose a major threat.
Recognisable by its striking shell and pointed beak, the hawksbill turtle plays a vital role in maintaining healthy coral reefs. Illegal shell trade, plastic pollution, climate change, and accidental capture in fishing gear have caused steep population declines.