Conservation.

Factual, in-depth conservation profiles for each species in the SNAPSBYMYLO™ gallery — covering IUCN status, threats, and the work being done to protect them.

Critically Endangered

Pongo abelii (Sumatran), Pongo pygmaeus (Bornean), Pongo tapanuliensis (Tapanuli)

Orangutan

All three orangutan species are listed as Critically Endangered. Populations have declined sharply due to habitat loss from palm oil expansion and illegal logging.

Vulnerable (African lion species)

Panthera leo (leucistic variant)

White Lion

White lions are not a separate species but a rare colour variant of the African lion. The African lion is classified as Vulnerable, with populations declining across much of its range.

Varies by species (Near Threatened to Endangered)

Equus quagga (Plains), Equus zebra (Mountain), Equus grevyi (Grevy)

Zebra

There are three zebra species, each with different conservation status. The Grevy zebra is Endangered, the Mountain zebra is Vulnerable, and the Plains zebra is Near Threatened.

Least Concern

Ciconia ciconia

White Stork

The White Stork is classified as Least Concern with an increasing global population, though it faces regional threats from habitat loss, power line collisions, and climate-driven changes to migration.

Endangered to Critically Endangered (most species)

Hylobatidae family (multiple species)

Gibbon

Gibbons are among the most threatened primates. Most gibbon species are Endangered or Critically Endangered, primarily due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

Least Concern

Vulpes vulpes

Red Fox

The Red Fox is the most widely distributed wild carnivore in the Northern Hemisphere and is classified as Least Concern, with stable and even expanding global populations.

Least Concern to Near Threatened (varies by species)

Phoenicopteridae family (six species)

Flamingo

There are six flamingo species. Most are Least Concern, but the Lesser Flamingo is Near Threatened, and all species rely on fragile saline wetland habitats that are increasingly under pressure.

Vulnerable

Fratercula arctica

Atlantic Puffin

The Atlantic Puffin was uplisted to Vulnerable in 2015. Populations have declined significantly, driven largely by climate change impacts on prey fish and breeding failures.

Vulnerable

Panthera pardus

Leopard

The Leopard is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with declining populations across Africa and Asia due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

Near Threatened

Panthera onca

Jaguar

The Jaguar is the largest cat in the Americas and is classified as Near Threatened, with populations declining due to deforestation, poaching, and conflict with ranchers.

Vulnerable

Bubo scandiacus

Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl was uplisted to Vulnerable in 2017. Climate change is altering its Arctic breeding habitat and the lemming population cycles it depends on for food.

Least Concern

Pelecanus onocrotalus

White Pelican

The Great White Pelican is classified as Least Concern, but it depends on fragile wetland and lake habitats that face growing pressure from water abstraction, pollution, and disturbance.

Least Concern (Gray wolf species)

Canis lupus (melanistic variant)

Black Wolf

Black wolves are not a separate species — they are gray wolves with a melanistic coat variant. The gray wolf is classified as Least Concern globally, but regional populations vary widely in status.

Least Concern to Vulnerable (varies by species)

Saimiri (multiple species)

Squirrel Monkey

There are several species of squirrel monkey in the genus Saimiri. Most are classified as Least Concern, though the Central American squirrel monkey is Vulnerable and all species face pressure from habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

Endangered

Loxodonta africana

African Elephant

The African elephant is the largest land animal on Earth. Once numbering in the millions across sub-Saharan Africa, decades of poaching for ivory and habitat loss have reduced populations dramatically. The species was uplisted from Vulnerable to Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2021.

Endangered

Panthera tigris

Tiger

The tiger is the largest cat species on Earth and is classified as Endangered. Wild populations have declined by over 95% in the last century, with fewer than 4,500 individuals remaining across all six surviving subspecies.

Critically Endangered (Western lowland & Cross River) to Endangered (Mountain)

Gorilla gorilla (Western), Gorilla beringei (Eastern)

Gorilla

Gorillas are the largest living primates and one of our closest relatives. Both species — the Western gorilla and the Eastern gorilla — are threatened with extinction, driven by habitat loss, poaching, and disease.

Endangered

Pan troglodytes

Chimpanzee

The chimpanzee is one of our closest living relatives, sharing approximately 98.7% of our DNA. Classified as Endangered, chimpanzee populations have declined significantly due to habitat loss, poaching, disease, and the illegal pet trade.