Photographer Travelled The World to Capture Rare Shots of Endangered Animals

taloringer

Dec 29, 2017 2:00 PM EST

Endangered, a book by acclaimed photographer Tim Flach shares the results of his extraordinary multiyear project to document the lives of threatened species. Species some may or may not have ever heard of or seen. By traveling around the world, from forests to deserts, from the Arctic to coral reefs, he is able to offer us an incredible visual of these animals. Animals that are facing the challenges do to the harshness of the ecosystem. Here are only 14 from his amazing book...

h/t: Bright Side

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01
White-Bellied Pangolin

via Tim Flach

This exotic animal inhabits the tropical rainforests of African Savannah from Senegal to Kenya and to Zambia in the south. The white-bellied pangolin has been vulnerable since 2008 and has been critically endangered since 2014. In simple terms, if something isn't done and no special protective measure are being taken, this species numbers will decline by 30-50% in the next 10-20 years! It might seem like a long time, but its actually insanely quick!
02
Ring-Tailed Lemurs

via Tim Flach

Ring-tailed lemurs can mainly be found on dry open lands and in forests on the south of Madagascar. A huge decrease in this species. Factors driving the decline include rapid habitat loss, hunting, and the illegal pet trade.
03
Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey

via Tim Flach

They inhabit South and Central China and prefer to live in the mountains. Manin reason on the list? Habitat loss.
04
Proboscis Monkey

via Tim Flach

This monkey is endemic to the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, and it can be found in all 3 countries that share this island: Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia.
Sadly it is habitat loss that has been the primary cause of the dramatic decline of their population. The second reason is hunting because the meat of this monkey is used in Chinese medicine...
05
Red Panda

via Tim Flach

We know, we know!!! How is this adorable creature on the list?! There are less than 2,500 individuals left!!
So why? and how? Well, red pandas population density is very low, and their main threats are direct harvest from the wild, competition with domestic livestock resulting in habitat degradation, and deforestation resulting in habitat loss. The other reason and incredibly sad, is that red pandas are still hunted and poached in Southeast China.
06
Pied Tamarin

via Tim Flach

They can be found in a restricted area in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest as well as within and just north of the city limits of Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas state of Brazil. Because of the destruction of its natural habitat, the species is at risk.
07
Hooded Vulture

via Tim Flach

The area of their habitat is Central and South Africa. These birds usually feed off dead carcasses and you can easily remember them because of it. They are threatened due to various factors including poisoning, hunting, habitat loss, and degradation of habitat.
08
Polar Bear

via Tim Flach

We all know that Polar Bears inhabit the Arctic. They strive in the cold. So its not surprise that climate change, and pollution are major factors in the decline. But also the fact that they are slow breeders.
09
Iberian Lynx

via Tim Flach

The lynx inhabits the southwest of Spain. So here is some sad history... the adorable Lynx is the world's most endangered feline species. In 2002, there were only 100 individuals. Due to conservation efforts, there are 404 individuals now. However, in the beginning of the 20th century, there were around 100,000 Iberian lynxes. By the 1960s, there were only 3,000 left.
The main reason for the decline? Hunting! Yup, thats right! Although since 1970, hunting has been prohibited.
10
Shoebill

via Tim Flach

The shoebill inhabits tropical swamps in Central and Eastern Africa where marbled lungfish can be found — their main diet. These specific storks are extremely rare, and their number is limited to 5,000-8,000! That's nothing! This species is considered to be vulnerable with the main threats being habitat destruction, disturbance, and hunting.
11
Monarch Butterflies

via Tim Flach

This beautiful butterfly can be found in North America and each year, it migrates from the northern and central states and southern Canada to Florida and Mexico.
So how are they endangered? The main reason is habitat loss due to herbicide use.
12
Beluga Sturgeon

via Tim Flach

This very rare fish can be found in the Caspian, Azov, and Black Sea basins, from where they migrate upstream in rivers to spawn. Reason for being on the list? Fishing. Humans fishing for this fish mainly and not if only because its caviar.
Although the killing and trading of this fish are prohibited, and its caviar is banned, we will have to wait and see.
13
Phillippine Eagle

via Tim Flach

So, this bird can be found only in the Philippines. Hence, the name. But, did you know it is also the largest eagle in the world, because of the length of its' wings?
So how is the grand bird on the list? Deforestation. As simple as that.
14
Saiga

via Tim Flach

You've probably never seen this one! The sad population decrease is mainly caused by poaching (Because of their horns), and infectious diseases. But, it doesn't rule out that climate change also has a sad effect. The harsh winters made it hard for them to get food.