Extinction can be a hard reality to confront. It’s one thing to learn about animals like the woolly mammoth or the dodo, which vanished long before we were around, but it’s another when you realize that species have been going extinct during your own lifetime. I didn’t quite grasp how real the threat was until I started looking into how many animals we’ve lost in just the past century. It’s a sobering wake-up call.
We live in a time where human impact on the environment is more obvious than ever. It can be habitat destruction, climate change, or overhunting—the reasons behind these extinctions often trace back to our actions. While some species simply couldn’t adapt to natural changes, many others disappeared due to decisions we’ve made as a society. It’s heartbreaking but also a stark reminder of why conservation is so crucial today.
I’ve compiled a list of 13 animals that have gone extinct in the past 100 years. Each species had its own unique place in the ecosystem, and their loss has left a void that can’t be filled. Hopefully, reading through these stories will inspire us to protect what remains of our planet’s incredible biodiversity.
1. Western Black Rhinoceros (2011)
The Western Black Rhinoceros was declared extinct in 2011, although it had been over a decade since the last confirmed sighting of one of these rhinos. Poaching for its valuable horn, driven by the illegal wildlife trade, sealed its fate.
This rhino once roamed the savannas of central and western Africa. Conservationists tried to intervene, but by the time protective measures were in place, their populations were too depleted to recover.
2. Pinta Island Tortoise (2012)
With the death of “Lonesome George” in 2012, the Pinta Island tortoise became another heartbreaking entry on the extinction list. George was the last of his kind, and despite efforts to breed him, no other Pinta tortoises were ever found.
Human activities, especially the introduction of non-native animals to Pinta Island, played a huge role in the extinction of this tortoise species. It’s a harsh reminder of how easily fragile ecosystems can be disrupted.
3. Baiji River Dolphin (2007)
Also known as the “Goddess of the Yangtze,” the Baiji river dolphin was once a symbol of China’s rich natural heritage. Sadly, by 2007, it was declared functionally extinct due to rapid industrialization, pollution, and overfishing in the Yangtze River.
The Baiji’s loss was devastating. It was one of the first dolphins driven to extinction by human activity, and its disappearance highlights the damage unchecked industrial growth can cause.
4. Pyrenean Ibex (2000)
The Pyrenean Ibex, a species of European wild mountain goat, was officially considered extinct in 2000. Overhunting and competition with livestock played major roles in its decline. It even holds a strange title as the first species to go extinct twice.
Scientists attempted to clone the Pyrenean Ibex in 2003, resulting in the birth of a cloned individual. Unfortunately, it died shortly after, marking the species’ second, and final, extinction.
5. Tasmanian Tiger (1936)
Also known as the thylacine, the Tasmanian tiger was a carnivorous marsupial that roamed Tasmania, mainland Australia, and New Guinea. Misunderstood and feared as a threat to livestock, it was hunted relentlessly. The last known individual died in captivity in 1936.
Efforts to conserve the species came too late, making the Tasmanian tiger an enduring symbol of human-driven extinction.
6. Caribbean Monk Seal (2008)
The Caribbean monk seal, once found throughout the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, was officially declared extinct in 2008, decades after the last official sighting. Hunting, particularly for their blubber, and habitat degradation, drove them to extinction.
Overfishing further reduced their food sources, accelerating their decline. The loss of the Caribbean monk seal serves as a reminder of the complex and delicate relationship between humans and marine life.
7. Golden Toad (2004)
The striking golden toad, native to the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica, disappeared forever in 1989 and was declared extinct in 2004. Climate change and the deadly chytrid fungus are believed to be the main culprits behind its extinction.
Despite conservation efforts to protect its habitat, the golden toad became a symbol of the vulnerability of amphibians in the face of environmental changes.
8. Tecopa Pupfish (1981)
The Tecopa pupfish, native to California’s Mojave Desert, was declared extinct in 1981. These small, isolated populations were particularly vulnerable to habitat changes, and the introduction of non-native species further sealed their fate.
The demise of these little fish reminds us of how even tiny changes in habitat can spell disaster for species that live in specialized environments.
9. Dusky Seaside Sparrow (1990)
Native to the salt marshes of Florida, the dusky seaside sparrow was declared extinct in 1990. Habitat loss due to drainage and development was the main factor behind its decline. The last known dusky sparrow, named Orange Band, died in captivity in 1987.
Its extinction highlights the irreversible impact of human development on wetland habitats and how we must be more conscientious of industrial processes in the future.
10. Alaotra Grebe (2010)
The Alaotra grebe, native to Madagascar’s Lake Alaotra, was declared extinct in 2010. Its decline was due to habitat degradation, invasive species, and the introduction of non-native fish that outcompeted the grebe for food.
This extinction serves as a reminder of how delicate aquatic ecosystems are, especially when non-native species are introduced. Reassuringly, the extinction of Alaotra grebe has paved the way for more conscientious action towards preserving populations of other endangered bird species in the area.
11. Poʻouli (2004)
Native to Maui in Hawaii, the Poʻouli, or black-faced honeycreeper, was declared extinct in 2004. A combination of habitat loss, introduced predators, and disease led to its decline. Conservationists made desperate attempts to breed the last few individuals in captivity, but the effort failed.
The extinction of the Poʻouli underscores the ongoing threats to Hawaii’s unique bird populations from human activity and introduced species.
12. Guam Flying Fox (1960s)
The Guam flying fox, a species of small fruit bat, was declared extinct in the 1960s. Habitat loss for military purposes and overhunting during World War II contributed significantly to its decline.
The extinction of the Guam flying fox is part of a broader pattern of species loss in the Pacific Islands, where habitat destruction and overhunting have taken a heavy toll.
13. Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (2019)
One of the world’s largest freshwater turtles, the Yangtze giant softshell turtle was declared functionally extinct in 2019 when the last known female died in captivity. With only a few males left, the species has no chance of natural reproduction.
This extinction is a tragic reminder of the devastating effects of habitat loss and hunting on some of the planet’s most ancient species.
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With an honors degree in financial engineering, Omega Ukama deeply understands finance. Before pursuing journalism, he honed his skills at a private equity firm, giving him invaluable real-world experience. This combination of financial literacy and journalistic flair allows him to translate complex financial matters into clear and concise insights for his readers.
