The most famous animal in the world.

 Good news to every person who appreciates the wildlife,of this vast world we share that we seem to consume every day more...the Giant Panda  is no longer an ENDANGERED species,BUT it has downgraded to VULNERABLE. 
  
  The giant panda also known as panda bear or simply panda is a bear native to south central China. A 2007 report showed 239 pandas living in China and 27 outside the country. As for 2004 there were 49 Pandas outside the country. The reports also say that the number of giant pandas living in the wild is rising lately. 
  
 Fortunately wildlife reserves have been set up in parts of China to make sure they can survive and live in the wild. Also a lot of people from all over the world are organising awareness campaigns and donating money to save the giant pandas.  

This big mammal,has been on the endangered species list,for the last few decades now,due to deforestation and excessive  illegal hunting of these animals. Since this animal symbolized conservation and was WWF icon for more than fifty years,it attracted the focus of the international media for many years. The Chinese government's efforts were not absent after the media's pressure.

In 2003,there was an estimated number of 1,600 pandas living in the wild. Now,a precise number is not given,but it is thought to be about 17% more than in 2003. 
Giant Pandas,classified as carnivores,are grown in the temperate forests of South China. They mostly feed on bamboo.  It is easily recognized by the unique black and color of its body,differing from all the other bears.

Aren't they the cutest creatures you have ever seen?

   Other than the giant panda there are hundreds of critically endangered animals. Pandas have taken all the attention lately but here is a list of ten most endangered animals. And they are lovely! 

1. Ivory-Billy Woodpecker   

A North American bird so endangered it may actually be extinct.

          2.  Amur Leopard 

  

       The World's rarest cat: there are only 40 left in Far East Russia.

      

    3. Javan Rhinoceros  

No more than 60 of these swamp-dwelling Asian rhinos extinct.

     4. Northern Sportive Lemur

  They live in Madagascar. You probably saw them in the Madagascar movie.

  5.Western Lowland Gorilla

  This animal is going extinct because of illegal hunting.

6. The Saola - an asian unicorn

 So rare it is almost mythological .

7. Leatherback Sea Turtle

  

The largest turtle in the World is going extinct. 

8. The Tiger

The World's biggest and strongest cat is almost gone.

                                   

             

9. Chinese Giant Salamander

 This animal is becoming extinct due to human hunger for them.

         

 10.The Little Dodo Bird

    

 The Little Dodo Bird is following the steps of its larger version and becoming extinct.

Unfortunately there are thousands of species becoming extinct like animals and plants. This was only a short article to raise awareness about these wonderful endangered creatures. If you are interested and want to know more about endangered animals here is a link that may help you: http://www.iucnredlist.org/. Thank you for reading.