The past decade has witnessed the heartbreaking extinction of several animal species. Due to habitat destruction, climate change, and human activities, these creatures are now gone forever. Here are some that we lost.
Made famous by the movie Rio, this vibrant blue parrot vanished from the wild due to deforestation and illegal pet trade. Though some survive in captivity, Spix’s Macaw no longer soars through Brazil’s skies.
Image: American Bird Conservancy
Lonesome George, the last of his kind, passed away in 2012. With him, the Pinta Island tortoise of the Galápagos became officially extinct, a tragic symbol of human-driven loss.
Image: Reddit
Once a graceful swimmer in China’s Yangtze River, the Baiji dolphin fell victim to pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. Despite last-ditch conservation efforts, no confirmed sightings exist today.
Image: Sixth Tone
This tiny rodent from Australia holds a tragic record—it’s the first mammal officially wiped out due to climate change. Rising sea levels swallowed its only habitat, leaving no survivors.
Image: The Washington Post
Poachers seeking rhino horns sealed the fate of the Western Black Rhino. Declared extinct in 2011, this majestic creature fell victim to relentless hunting, with no remaining individuals in the wild or captivity.
Image: CGTN
Once dazzling the forests of Panama, this tiny but deadly frog vanished after its habitat was destroyed. Amphibians worldwide are struggling due to disease and climate change, making them highly vulnerable.
Image: Fandom