Animals Who are Extinct Because of Hunting

Over the years Humans and corporations have played a huge part in unethical decisions in terms of the environmental issues on the planet. Global warming and pollution is at an all time high and sadly it's affecting the animals around us. Each day animals are constantly hunted for animal parts that are believed to be of value. Some people hunt for sport and others for money. Let's take a closer look at a few animals who are extinct because of hunting.

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Northern White Rhinoceros - It's not old news that Rhinos have been hunted for their horns. In parts like South Africa it is believed that the horns can cure cancer and fevers. Which of course in untrue. According to researchers there are only 3 Northern White Rhinoceros on this earth. Sadly there is not much we can do to save the species unless they reproduce. Some of the sperm has been frozen and the San Diego Zoo in California is planning on implanting them into Southern white rhinoceros.

Elephants - Elephants are known for their ivory tusks. Ivory is used for manufacturing and art. It is quite popular in South East Asia and China. Because of this demand poachers are constantly killing elephants. It is recorded that every hour 5 African elephants are killed.

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Bengal Tigers - As the national animal of India and Bangladesh it has the largest Tiger species. Countries like India, Nepal and China have failed to implement laws to stop poaching. These countries work in conjunction to tan, kill and trade the fur and bones. The Chinese use the Bengal Tigers bones for herbal medicines.

Atlantic Blue Fin Tuna - Many people don't know that this fish is becoming rare to find. Due to the high demands for the Sushi industry has led to over fishing. The Atlantic Blue Fin Tuna is heavily prized for its taste. It's used for sushi and sashimi. European nations are said to be responsible for over fishing and in 2010 is was banned by European officials.

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Pangolian - The Pangolian is rarely talked about but is on the top list of the most hunted animal in the world. This interesting creature is the only mammal to be completely covered in scales. Pangolian scales are said to cure acne and cancer. When threatened the Pangolian will roll up and their scales will shoot out. These scales are razor sharp. Also Pangolians will release an acid scent to scare off their predators. Similar to a skunk. In Asia and Africa thousands are Pangolians are hunted and killed for their meat and scales.

Sadly all we can do to prevent these animals from going extinct are educating our peers and refusing to buy products from companies or brands that endorse poaching or the use of these materials. It's important for us to know that we are contributing to these animals becoming extinct. Lets do our part and educate others on animals who are extinct because of hunting.

Blue Tigers?

Although most of us are familiar with white tigers, a rare color morph of the Bengal tiger, documented sightings of Maltese or “blue” tigers have also been reported throughout history.

Artist's rendering of what a Maltese tiger might look like.

As with domestic cats, the Maltese name refers to a “blue” fur coloration that is actually slate grey. Sightings of Maltese tigers have occurred numerous times throughout the 20th century in both the Fujian Province of China and Korea. It is assumed that these blue tigers were most closely related to the now critically endangered South China tiger. If they still exist, Maltese tigers may be some of the rarest animals on earth.

Siberian Tigers - The World's Biggest Cats

Though most people probably picture a wild tiger living in a warm climate, the largest of cats, the Siberian tiger, actually lives somewhere much colder.

The Siberian tiger is almost identical to the now-extinct Caspian tiger that was present across most of central Asia until recently. Caspian tigers were hunted aggressively during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries throughout Russia and China as forests were converted to farmland. The last confirmed Caspian tiger sightings occurred in the 1950’s, though unconfirmed reports still occur in the Middle East.

The current Siberian tiger can only be found in the birch forests of eastern Siberia, far northeastern China and North Korea. The wild population is estimated to be around 500 individuals. It is thought that they continue to exist in these areas because of the low human population density. 

At nearly four feet tall at the shoulders and weighing nearly 700lbs, Siberian tigers are taller and heavier than Bengal tigers. They grow shaggy winter coats to deal with cold temperatures and tend to be less brightly colored than other tigers.

The Siberian tiger is an apex predator that feeds almost exclusively on red deer and wild boar. Both black and brown bears are occasionally hunted, but this is very rare. Brown bears have been known to hunt Siberian tigers as well; an equally rare occurrence. Siberian tigers also occur in the same habitat as wolves, though wolf populations tend to be much sparser in areas where the tiger is present. 

Photo: Jelenia Sika

Despite their massive size, attacks by Siberian tigers on humans are rare. They are known to be extremely solitary animals that prefer to avoid human interaction. Most attacks throughout history have been either by wild tigers that were provoked or captive-raised tigers that did not possess an instinctual fear of humans.