Over the past century and a half, humanity has witnessed the extinction of numerous animal species, primarily due to human activities such as habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change. While some species were brought to the brink by indirect causes, others were directly hunted or displaced. Though these creatures are no longer with us, they serve as reminders of the fragility of ecosystems and the importance of conservation. Here’s a look at 23 species that have vanished in the last 150 years.
1. Yangtze River Dolphin

The Yangtze River dolphin, or “baiji,” was native to China’s Yangtze River. Once abundant, the species began to decline rapidly due to human interference. Overfishing, pollution, and heavy boat traffic significantly reduced its numbers. The last confirmed sighting of a baiji was in 2002, and despite extensive searches, none have been found since.
Cause of Extinction: Overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, and boat traffic.
Despite ongoing conservation efforts, the baiji remains one of the first recorded dolphin species to become extinct due to human activity.
2. Golden Toad

This small, vibrant amphibian lived in the rainforests of Costa Rica and was last seen in 1989. Despite its striking golden color, the toad’s population dwindled rapidly due to habitat loss and disease. In 1994, it was officially declared extinct, with some researchers pointing to climate change as a significant factor in its demise.
Cause of Extinction: Pollution, global warming, and the spread of chytrid fungal infections.
3. West African Black Rhino

Declared extinct in 2006, the West African black rhinoceros was once a majestic creature roaming the savannas of Africa. Despite extensive conservation efforts, the species couldn’t recover from the heavy toll taken by poachers, who targeted the rhino for its horn.
Cause of Extinction: Poaching and loss of habitat.
Although there are ongoing projects to protect other rhino species, the West African black rhino is a stark reminder of the consequences of illegal wildlife trade.
4. Passenger Pigeon

At one point, the passenger pigeon was one of the most populous birds in North America, numbering in the billions. However, rampant hunting in the 19th century decimated the species. The last known passenger pigeon, named Martha, died in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914.
Cause of Extinction: Overhunting and habitat destruction.
The loss of this species serves as a tragic example of how quickly a once-abundant animal can be driven to extinction through human intervention.
5. Smooth Handfish

The smooth handfish, native to the waters around Australia, was declared extinct in 2020. These quirky fish, with their hand-like fins, disappeared due to habitat destruction and overfishing. The species is notable for its rarity and peculiar appearance, and sadly, only one preserved specimen remains.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat loss and destructive fishing practices.
Despite the recent extinction, little is known about this fascinating fish, making its loss even more tragic.
6. Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger)

The thylacine, a marsupial native to Tasmania, was hunted to extinction in the early 20th century. Known for its wolf-like appearance and distinctive stripes, the thylacine was feared by farmers who blamed it for livestock deaths. The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936.
Cause of Extinction: Overhunting and habitat destruction.
There have been numerous reported sightings since its official extinction, but none have been confirmed.
7. Bramble Cay Melomys

Native to Bramble Cay, a small island near Australia, this tiny rodent was declared extinct in 2015. It is believed to be the first mammal species to go extinct due to climate change, as rising sea levels destroyed its habitat and food sources.
Cause of Extinction: Climate change and habitat loss.
This extinction highlights the growing impact of global warming on vulnerable species.
8. Spix’s Macaw

Famously known as the inspiration behind the movie Rio, the Spix’s Macaw went extinct in the wild in the early 2000s. Native to Brazil, its vibrant blue feathers made it a target for illegal bird traders, while deforestation destroyed its habitat. Conservationists are attempting to reintroduce captive-bred birds to the wild.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat destruction and illegal pet trade.
There is hope that one day, Spix’s Macaw will fly freely in the wild again through ongoing breeding programs.
9. Javan Tiger

The Javan tiger, native to the Indonesian island of Java, was declared extinct in the 1970s. Despite conservation efforts, deforestation and agriculture drastically reduced its habitat. By the 1950s, only a handful of these tigers remained, and the last one was spotted in 1976.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat loss and human encroachment.
Java’s dense human population left little room for these magnificent predators.
10. Pyrenean Ibex

The Pyrenean ibex was officially declared extinct in 2000, but in 2009, scientists attempted to clone the species using preserved DNA. The cloned ibex lived for just a few minutes, making it the first species to become “un-extinct” and then extinct again.
Cause of Extinction: Extensive hunting.
The failed cloning experiment underscores the complexities of using technology to revive lost species.
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11. Carolina Parakeet

The Carolina parakeet was the only parrot native to the eastern United States. Once found in large flocks, their vibrant feathers made them a target for hunters. Additionally, deforestation and disease decimated the population, with the last bird dying in captivity in 1918.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat destruction, disease, and overhunting.
Their colorful legacy remains, though their songs have long since fallen silent.
12. Madeiran Large White Butterfly

Native to the lush forests of Portugal’s Madeira Islands, the Madeiran Large White butterfly has not been officially seen for decades. Scientists attribute its decline to habitat loss caused by deforestation and pollution from agricultural runoff.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat loss and pollution.
While not yet officially declared extinct, this butterfly is teetering on the brink of disappearance.
13. Northern White Rhinoceros

The last male northern white rhino died in 2018, leaving only two females. Scientists are now working on using advanced reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilization, to attempt to save the species.
Cause of Extinction: Poaching and loss of habitat.
The northern white rhino’s plight highlights the severe toll illegal poaching takes on vulnerable species.
14. Tecopa Pupfish

Native to the hot springs of the Mojave Desert, the Tecopa pupfish was officially declared extinct in the 1970s. The destruction of its natural habitat due to development sealed its fate, making it the first species to be listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat destruction due to human development.
Its extinction stands as a somber milestone in environmental legislation.
15. Falkland Islands Wolf

The Falkland Islands wolf was a friendly and curious predator native to the Falklands. It went extinct in the 1800s, mainly due to hunting by early settlers. Isolated from the mainland, the wolves had no natural predators and thus had little fear of humans, which made them easy targets.
Cause of Extinction: Overhunting.
Their extinction is a striking example of how vulnerable isolated species can be when exposed to human expansion.
16. Quagga

A subspecies of the Plains Zebra, the quagga was hunted to extinction in the late 19th century. Its unique coloring—striped in the front like a zebra and solid brown in the rear—made it a target for trophy hunters.
Cause of Extinction: Overhunting.
Efforts to selectively breed zebras with quagga-like traits are ongoing, but the original quagga is lost forever.
17. Po’ouli

Discovered in Hawaii in the 1970s, the Po’ouli, or black-faced honeycreeper, was critically endangered by the late 1990s due to habitat destruction and disease. Efforts to breed the last known individuals in captivity failed, and the species was declared extinct in 2004.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat loss, disease, and predation by non-native species.
The Po’ouli’s extinction was a major loss for Hawaii’s unique biodiversity.
18. Zanzibar Leopard

The Zanzibar leopard was believed to have gone extinct in the 1990s due to hunting. Locals believed the leopards were associated with witchcraft and aggressively hunted them. In 2018, footage surfaced of what appeared to be a Zanzibar leopard, though it has yet to be confirmed.
Cause of Extinction: Persecution and habitat loss.
The Zanzibar leopard’s possible reappearance offers a glimmer of hope, but its future remains uncertain.
19. Pinta Island Tortoise

Native to the Galapagos Islands, the Pinta Island tortoise was one of the many species Charles Darwin observed. The last known individual, Lonesome George, died in 2012, bringing the species to extinction. Conservation efforts have since been intensified for other Galapagos species.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat destruction and invasive species.
Lonesome George became a symbol of conservation efforts worldwide reminding us of the importance of protecting fragile ecosystems.
20. Dusky Seaside Butterfly

This small butterfly lived in the salt marshes of Florida and was declared extinct in 1990. Habitat destruction due to the construction of highways and pesticides led to its downfall. Despite efforts to breed the species in captivity, none were successful.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat loss and pesticide use.
Its extinction was a wake-up call for conservation efforts in the U.S.
21. Christmas Island Pipistrelle

A tiny species native to Christmas Island, this bat was declared extinct in 2009. Invasive species and habitat loss are thought to have driven it to extinction.
Cause of Extinction: Invasive species and habitat destruction.
The extinction of the Christmas Island pipistrelle highlights the vulnerability of small, isolated populations to environmental changes.
22. Poo-uli

The Hawaiian snake, known as the Poo-uli, was first discovered in the 1970s, but by the late 1990s, its population had dropped to just three individuals. Despite efforts to bring the snakes together for breeding, they remained isolated, and the species was declared extinct in 2004.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat loss, disease, and predation by invasive species.
The story of the Poo-uli is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting endangered species before they reach critical numbers.
23. Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Long believed to be extinct, the ivory-billed woodpecker was native to the southeastern United States. The last confirmed sighting was in the 1940s, though reports of sightings have persisted. Habitat destruction and overhunting were the primary reasons for its decline.
Cause of Extinction: Habitat destruction and overhunting.
While unconfirmed reports give hope that this woodpecker may still exist, its chances of survival are slim.
Each of these species represents a unique and irreplaceable part of our planet’s biodiversity. As we move forward, their loss serves as both a lesson and a call to action, urging us to protect the species we still have before it’s too late. Conservation efforts, habitat protection, and stricter anti-poaching laws are all crucial in preventing future extinctions.
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