What does “endangered species” mean?
A species is a group of similar living things. Tigers, butterflies, trees, and flowers are all different species. A species is considered endangered if there are so few left alive that they might go extinct [no more individuals of the species are alive].
Sunda Tigers
- Status: critically engadered
- Population: Less than 400
- Habitats: forest, grassland, wetland
Sunda tigers are critically endangered [extremely high risk of extinction]. The forest they live in is being cut down. Scientists use cameras to track these tigers and find wildlife areas that need to be protected.
Black Rhinos
- Status: critically endangered
- Population: 5,600
- Habitats: deserts, grasslands
Black rhinos are hunted for their horns. Conservationists [people who work to protect wildlife] work to protect these rhinos from hunters.
Hawksbill Turtles
- Status: critically endangered
- Population: 8,000
- Habitat: tropical oceans
Hawksbill turtles are threatened due to the loss of their habitats. People also hunt these turtles for their beautiful shells. Wildlife conservationists are working to protect where these turtles live.
What Do You Think? Why do you think it is important to protect animals?
Reading Response Click on the links to respond to your reading. Print out the response page or upload it to your classroom site.
Photo Credit: (t)Brian Mckay Photography/Moment/Getty Images, (m) Aurora Photos/Alamy Stock Photo(b)Ed Jenkins/Shutterstock
