10 Extinct animals in the world now 2023 How we can save them

However, here are 10 extinct animal species along with their short stories based on information available up to that point:

Pyrenean Ibex (Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica):

Once roaming the Pyrenees mountains, the Pyrenean Ibex stood as a symbol of rugged landscapes. But by 2000, the last individual, a female named Celia, succumbed to a combination of habitat loss, hunting, and disease. In 2009, scientists attempted to clone the species using preserved DNA, but the clone died shortly after birth, marking the bittersweet end of this noble creature.

Western Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis longipes):

In the savannas of western Africa, the Western Black Rhinoceros roamed. Yet, driven to extinction by relentless poaching for their valuable horns, these giants disappeared from their natural habitat. Their story serves as a somber reflection of the devastating impact of illegal wildlife trade.

Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer):

The Baiji, also known as the Yangtze River Dolphin, once navigated the waters of China’s Yangtze River. Revered as the “Goddess of the Yangtze,” pollution, habitat loss, and boat traffic took a toll. Despite extensive searches, no Baiji have been spotted since 2002, marking the tragic disappearance of a unique and ancient species.

Golden Toad (Incilius periglenes):

In the misty forests of Costa Rica, the Golden Toad once dazzled with its vibrant hue. But as climate change disrupted the amphibian’s delicate environment, their numbers declined. In 1989, the last sighting was reported. The loss of the Golden Toad remains a poignant example of how ecosystems can falter due to shifting environmental conditions.

Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii):

The vibrant blue Spix’s Macaw once soared over Brazil’s skies, its brilliant plumage a marvel. As habitat destruction and illegal capture ravaged its population, this beautiful bird faded from the wild. Efforts to reintroduce captive-bred individuals offer a glimmer of hope, but the extinction of the wild populations reminds us of the fragility of such captivating species.

Pinta Island Tortoise (Chelonoidis abingdoni):

On the Galápagos Islands, the Pinta Island Tortoise once lumbered. Named “Lonesome George,” the last of his kind faced a solitary existence, an emblem of the toll human activities took on these unique creatures. In 2012, George passed away, and with him went the lineage of his species, underscoring the urgency of conservation.

Quagga (Equus quagga quagga):

The Quagga, a subspecies of the Plains Zebra, once grazed the South African plains. With its distinctive front half striped and the back half brown, this animal was relentlessly hunted and overexploited. The last known Quagga died in captivity in 1883, a striking example of how human actions can drive species to extinction.

Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis):

Once adorning the skies of eastern North America, the Carolina Parakeet was the only parrot species native to the United States. Habitat loss, hunting, and the pet trade contributed to their decline. The last documented wild Carolina Parakeet was shot in 1904, and the last captive bird died in 1918, marking the end of this colorful species.

Caspian Tiger (Panthera tigris virgata):

Roaming the landscapes of Central Asia, the Caspian Tiger was a powerful apex predator. As humans encroached on its habitat and hunted it due to perceived threats, this tiger subspecies vanished from the wild by the mid-20th century. The extinction of the Caspian Tiger serves as a reminder of the toll of human activities on large carnivores.

Javan Tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica):

Once prowling the forests of Java, Indonesia, the Javan Tiger’s striped majesty was an integral part of the island’s ecosystem. Habitat loss and hunting drove this tiger to extinction, with the last reliable sighting in the mid-1970s. The disappearance of the Javan Tiger is a sobering lesson on the impact of habitat destruction and fragmentation.

These stories serve as poignant reminders of the interconnectedness of species, ecosystems, and human actions. They highlight the importance of conservation efforts to protect the biodiversity that remains on our planet.

How we can save or recover them:

Recovering extinct animals is a complex and challenging endeavor, but there are several scientific approaches that researchers are exploring to potentially achieve this goal. Here are some methods that scientists are working on:

• Cloning: One of the most well-known methods is de-extinction through cloning. This involves using preserved DNA from extinct animals to create a clone. The most famous attempt so far has been the cloning of the Pyrenean ibex, though it lived only briefly. Cloning is fraught with technical and ethical challenges, and it’s not always feasible due to the poor quality of ancient DNA.

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• Selective breeding: Another approach is to identify and selectively breed surviving species that share genetic traits with the extinct animal. Over time, this breeding process could potentially recreate certain traits or characteristics of the extinct species. This method is known as selective breeding or back-breeding.

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• Gene editing: Advances in genetic engineering techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9, offer possibilities for de-extinction. Scientists could edit the genes of closely related species to resemble those of the extinct animal, bringing back specific traits. This method is still in its early stages and faces significant challenges.

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• Hybridization: In some cases, scientists may consider hybridizing closely related species to recreate the characteristics of an extinct species. However, this approach can raise ethical concerns and may not be a perfect solution.

• Resurrection through conservation: While not a direct method of recovering extinct animals, conservation efforts can help preserve and protect endangered species before they become extinct. This approach ensures that more species don’t reach the brink of extinction in the first place.

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It’s important to note that de-extinction efforts are highly controversial, with concerns about the ecological impacts and ethical considerations. Additionally, the success of these methods depends on the availability of well-preserved DNA, the feasibility of cloning, and the potential ecological consequences of reintroducing extinct species into modern ecosystems.

While the idea of bringing back extinct species is fascinating, it’s still a work in progress, and the focus remains on preserving the biodiversity of currently endangered species and ecosystems.