GRID FRAME "Endangered Species"

The snow leopard lives in the highlands of Central Asia, but it's only found in small numbers. Its thick fur helps it survive the cold. Snow leopards are most active during low-light hours, hunting wild goats, sheep, birds, rodents, and rabbits.
The biggest threat to snow leopards is the loss of prey due to land development and other changes in their habitat. Even though trading their fur is illegal, poaching is still a problem. In areas near human settlements, snow leopards sometimes hunt livestock during winter, which can lead to conflicts with local residents, and they are sometimes killed as a result. Conservation efforts that help snow leopards and humans live alongside each other are very important.

The African penguin is known for its loud call, which resembles the braying of a donkey. In the early 20th century, the population numbered in the millions. In 1930, an estimated 3 million individuals inhabited Dassen Island, the largest breeding colony on the Atlantic coast of South Africa. However, by 1963, the population had sharply declined to 140,000, primarily due to illegal egg harvesting at breeding sites.
Since the late 1960s, many seabirds, including the African penguin, have lost their lives due to oil spills from shipping accidents. Additionally, large-scale fishing methods have led to many penguins dying after becoming entangled in drift nets, while their food sources, such as anchovies, have been heavily exploited by humans. The population decline has not been halted, and in 2010, the species was reclassified from Vulnerable (VU) to Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

Walruses live in groups, enjoy hauling out on beaches to bask in the sun, and dive to forage for food. They use the whiskers around their mouth to search through the sand on the ocean floor, feeding on bivalves and other marine organisms.
From the 18th to the 20th century, walruses were excessively hunted for their large tusks, which can grow up to 1 meter in length and were used for crafting, as well as for their meat and hides. Walruses rely on sea ice to escape predators and raise their young safely, so the shrinking of ice due to global warming has become the greatest threat to the species in recent years.

The Tasmanian devil inhabits forests and scrublands. During the day, it rests in underground dens, and at night, it becomes active, hunting small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Around 400 years ago, Tasmanian devils also lived on mainland Australia, but their population declined due to predation by dingoes introduced by humans. Today, they are found only on the island of Tasmania.
Tasmanian devils were later extensively culled as pests for attacking livestock. However, in 1941, they were granted legal protection.
In the 1990s, an outbreak of Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) led to a population decline of over 60%. This form of cancer spreads through direct contact and prevents affected Tasmanian devils from eating. A conservation program began in 2003, but developing a vaccine is expected to take time. Over the next decade, a further population decline of more than 60% is predicted.

The Galápagos land iguana is active on the ground and inhabits dry lowland areas. Its primary diet consists of the fruit and flowers of the prickly pear cactus, although it sometimes eats insects and crabs.
This species has been threatened by hunting for food and damage caused by invasive species. Many young iguanas have been preyed upon by feral dogs and cats, while plants they depend on have been consumed by feral goats. However, after the eradication of many invasive species, the population is now showing signs of recovery.
All three species of the genus Conolophus, which include the Galápagos land iguana, are found exclusively on the Galápagos Islands. Among them, the Galápagos pink iguana (C. marthae), which is found only on Isabela Island, was recognized as a separate species in 2009. With only around 200 individuals remaining, it is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, indicating a highly threatened status.

Grevy's zebra, the largest wild equid species, is found in Kenya and Ethiopia and is recognized by its narrower stripes compared to other zebras.
The population of Grevy's zebras has declined due to overhunting for their pelts, poaching, habitat degradation, and drought. In response, hunting of Grevy's zebras was banned in Kenya in 1976. The population decreased from around 15,600 in the late 1970s to about 2,000 in 2004, and there has been no significant change in numbers since. The growing number of cattle grazing raises concerns about the loss of feeding grounds and reduced access to water sources, both of which could impact the population of Grevy's zebras.
In addition, uncontrolled ecotourism is believed to be negatively affecting their behavior.