Category Endangered Animals

               A snow leopard is a large cat that is native to the mountain areas of Central and South Asia. These wild cats can be spotted sporadically in the alpine and subalpine zones of China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and Mongolia, at heights between 3000 to 4500m.

               In size, snow leopards are slightly smaller than others of its family. They have stocky bodies with thick fur and small, rounded ears, all of which together, help the animal to minimize heat loss.

               Although the animals are agile and powerfully built, their population is in great danger. The main reasons for such falling numbers are hunting, habitat loss, and retaliatory killings. With the reduction in the number of its prey like the Argali sheep, ibex, and hares, these leopards are forced to hunt domestic animals in its nearby areas.

               As a result, locals kill them in retaliation. The leopards are also poached for their skin for making fur coats.

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            The sei whale is one of the fastest whales in the world that inhabits all oceans and adjoining areas, except those in polar and tropical regions. They are the third largest rorquals, followed by blue whales and fin whales.

            Sei whales are sometimes seen travelling alone, or in pods of up to six individuals. A normal individual is about 14 to 20 metres long, with a weight up to 26 tonnes. Females are a little longer than males. If unharmed, these animals can live till the age of 65.

            As they are at the top of the food chain, whales have an important role in the overall health of a marine ecosystem. But today, they have a very insecure existence due to human activities.

            The biggest threat faced by the sei whale population is commercial whaling. Besides, there is something called scientific whaling, carried out by countries like Iceland and Japan. It means killing whales for scientific research.

            There have also been events of mass deaths of sei whales in the past due to pollution, and the presence of toxic substances in water.

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            The Grevy’s zebra is an important member of the horse family. Also known as the imperial zebra, they are the most endangered of the zebra species. Historically, they were seen in the semi-arid scrublands and plains of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Kenya in East Africa. But now, their range is confined to a few parts of Southern Ethiopia, and Northern Kenya.

            Compared to its relatives, Grevy’s zebras have larger ears and narrower stripes. They feed mostly on grass, roots, and tree bark, and also on hard seeds. It is believed that these zebras can live without water for about three days.

            During the 1970s, the population of Grevy’s zebras was thought to be 15,000. But at the start of the 21st century, this number came down to 3500.

            Today, there are estimated to be around 2500 in the wild. In captivity, there are around 600 individuals surviving. The main reason for the fall in population is poaching. The skin of these zebras is of great value in the global market.

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               The giant otter is a carnivorous mammal native to South America. It is a social animal that lives with family groups, supporting up to eight members. They are mostly seen in freshwater rivers and streams that are seasonally flooded. Sometimes, these animals are also spotted in freshwater lakes and springs.

               The primary cause of the decline of the giant otter population is poaching. They have been hunted for decades, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s, bringing their number to less than 5000. It is the velvety pelt that makes a giant otter an attractive target. Besides, the animals are extremely easy to hunt as they are active throughout the day. And by nature, otters are inquisitive and fearless towards human beings. This makes it even worse for them.

               Other factors are habitat loss and degradation caused by mining, logging, and over-fishing. Quite a lot of giant otters are killed by fishermen who consider them to be a menace.

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            The Rothschild’s giraffe is a subspecies of Northern giraffes. It is also known by the names Baringo giraffe and Ugandan giraffe.

            With just around 1500 individuals in the wild, it is yet another animal that has an endangered existence. Isolated population of this animal can be seen in savannah, grasslands, and the open woodlands of Uganda and Kenya. The strange name of these animals comes from zoologist Walter Rothschild, who was the first to describe the species.

            What makes a Rothschild’s giraffe different from others in the family is its appearance. It has a specific type of coat pattern, with light brown patches and creamy lines in between. Also, it has no markings below the knees, making one feel that the animal is wearing white stockings!

            The biggest threats to the lives of Rothschild’s giraffes are poaching, expansion of human population and habitat loss.

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               Iberian lynx is a wild cat native to the Iberian Peninsula. It is one of the most endangered animals on Earth, as classified by the IUCN Red List. Lynxes were once seen throughout the Iberian Peninsula, and the South of France. But since the mid 1990s, only fragmented populations have survived that too in Central and south-western parts of Spain, and in a few areas of Portugal.

               This wild animal is distinguished with a bobbed tail, spotted coat, muscular body and long legs. By nature, they are solitary and nocturnal. European rabbits alone form the diet for an Iberian lynx. In the 20th century, there was a sharp fall in the number of these rabbits. This in turn, caused a decline in the population of lynx too. Besides, there are other human-induced reasons like the destruction of forest habitat and its conversion to agricultural land, hunting, accidental killings, construction of dams highways and railways.

               By the start of the 21st century, the number of Iberian lynx came down to around 100, and the animal was on the verge of extinction.

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            The wild water buffalo is a large bovine native to South-east Asia, particularly India. They are seen mostly in wet grasslands, swamps, and river valleys in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand and Cambodia. With a wild population of less than 4000 individuals, these animals are now a rare sight.

            In general, wild water buffaloes are larger and heavier than domestic ones, and weigh up to 1200 kg.

            The major challenge for the survival of water buffaloes is habitat loss. Besides, the degradation of wetlands due to exotic species like stem twiners and linas, diseases and parasites transmitted from domestic livestock etc. have contributed largely to the decline of the water buffalo population.

            In countries like Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar these animals are hunted on a large scale. This happens despite the fact that hunting and killing of these endangered animals are prohibited in many countries including Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan and India.

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            The Przewalski’s horse is quite a strange name for an animal, isn’t? Not many of us have heard of the animal, mainly because not many exist today. Also known as the Dzungarian horse, these are a rare and endangered subspecies of wild horses, native to the steppes of Central Asia.

             It is a relatively small member of the horse family, with a stiff, dark, upright mane and a height up to 1.4 metres. They were once found throughout Mongolia, Northern China, and some parts of Siberia. But at present, they can be spotted only on the plains and prairies of Mongolia. There is no evidence to show that the animal was ever domesticated, and so one can say a Przewalski’s horse is the only wild horse in the world today.

            In the 1960s, the species was almost extinct in the wild, but was saved after a few individuals were reintroduced to their native habitats at the Khustain Nuruu National Park, Takhin Tal Nature Reserve, and Khomiin Tal in Mongolia. The main reasons for the disappearance were hunting for meat, and interbreeding with domesticated horses. Today, there are many zoos in the world where these horses are seen in small numbers.

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            Green sea turtles are large sea turtles that can be spotted in tropical and subtropical seas around the world. The distinct populations of these sea animals are seen predominantly in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and sometimes, in the Indian Ocean too. Over 80 countries are known to have the nests of these turtles on their beaches. With a weight up to 300 kg, green sea turtles are huge. Their name comes from the greenish colour of their cartilage and fat.

            Like many other species, green sea turtles too have an unsafe existence. As a result, they have been listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List.

            The reasons for the falling population of the turtles are both intentional and accidental. In general, these animals are continuously hunted for food and their eggs. Then there are other unintentional reasons like boat strikes and fishing nets that lack turtle excluder devices.

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            The name bonobo many sound really cute to many of us, but the lives of these animals are anything but cute. A bonobo is an endangered animal that can be seen only in the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Africa.

            They are also known by the names pygmy chimpanzees and gracile chimpanzees. The animal is distinguished by its long legs, dark face, pink lips, and parted long hair. In general, they are known to be peaceful primates, living in groups led by females.

            Along with common chimpanzees, bonobos are also very close relatives of human beings, and are of high intelligence.

            Although there isn’t much data, the remaining population of bonobos is thought to be something between 29,500 and 50,000. Hence, they are classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List.

            By now, you must be aware that almost all the species that are endangered, consider humans as their biggest threat. It’s not different in the case of bonobos either.

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            A hawksbill sea turtle is one of the most critically endangered species found in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Generally, these aquatic beings spend most of their time in shallow lagoons and coral reefs, feeding on sponges, sea anemones and jellyfishes.

            The appearance of a hawksbill turtle is similar to that of other marine turtles. They have narrow, pointed beaks and distinctive patterns of overlapping scales on their shells. It is said that depending on the temperature of the water, the shells of these turtles change colour, making them a highly valuable species.

            A hawksbill sea turtle is now a rare animal, merely because of human activities. They are widely hunted for meat, as well as for other purposes. In many parts of the world, they are still seen as delicacies. Another reason for their exploitation is the attractive shells of hawksbill turtles, which have largely become materials for decoration and jewellery-making. The existence of these turtles is also threatened by heavy pollution in water and loss of nesting areas due to coastal development.

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            The red wolf or the Florida wolf is one of the two species of wolves native to the Eastern United States. The other one is the gray wolf. The name red wolf comes from the reddish colour of the animal’s fur. Otherwise, these wolves are mostly brown and buff coloured. They are highly social animals living in packs, known to avoid humans and human activities. Raccoons, rabbits, white-tailed deer, nutria, and other rodents form their main diet.

            Red wolves are in the news often because of their decreasing number. It is one of the critically endangered species in the world, as classified by the IUCN Red List in 1996.

            Red wolves started disappearing by the 1990s. The belief that red wolves cause cattle loss is widespread, and this has resulted in indiscriminate killing of these animals in remote areas. Land clearing, hunting, logging, road development, mineral exploration, etc., too have affected this helpless species.

            The current wild population of red wolves is at its worst ever – there are less than 100 left.

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            An aye-aye may not sound like a living thing, but it is in reality, a lemur that is native to Madagascar. The appearance of this creature is as strange as its name. At first glance, it seems to be a rodent, but in fact, it is a primate.

            The name aye-aye, was given by French naturalist Pierre Sonner-at in 1782, while describing the lemur. This primate comes in dark brown or black colour, and has a bushy tail that is larger than their body.

            The species was thought to be extinct in 1933. In 1957, they were rediscovered. Currently, aye-ayes are the largest and the most endangered nocturnal primates classified by the IUCN Red List.

            There are many reasons for the fall in their numbers. One of them is superstition. There is a belief in Madagascar that an aye-aye brings bad luck. For this reason, many of these animals are mercilessly killed on sight. Then of course, they are hunted down, and their habitats destroyed to meet man’s selfish needs.

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            As adorable as their name, chinchillas are rodents seen in the Andes Mountains of Northern Chile. These beautiful creatures are best known for their soft, velvet-like fur.

            But sadly, the same feature has taken them close to extinction. They are one of the most critically endangered species on Earth, as classified by the IUCN Red List.

            The population of wild chinchillas has been in danger for at least a hundred years. Previously, they were found extensively in the coastal regions, hills and mountains of Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia. But poaching, hunting, habitat destruction, deforestation etc have strictly confined the animals to the very few regions where they are now seen.

            In 1920, legal measures were framed by the countries to protect the species. However, they still don’t help as required. Poaching for fur has been the greatest threat before chinchillas.

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            The golden lion tamarin or golden marmoset is one of the rarest animals in the world, native to the Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil. It is a peculiar, tree-dwelling monkey with a small rounded head that is surrounded by a thick, golden mane. Its body and tail are covered with long silky hair that comes in pale blonde to reddish golden colour.

            After observing a   shrinking population, the IUCN Red List classified the golden lion tamarin as an endangered species. Subsequently, a few wildlife organisations started reintroduction programmes from 140 zoos worldwide.

            Although it was a success, the population of the monkeys is still not out of danger. Due to logging, agriculture and industry-expansion, the rain forests of Brazil are disappearing.

            That means that the habitats of the golden lion tamarins are being destroyed. Yet another challenge the species face is the illegal pet trade. With all these, the estimated wild population of this golden animal is thought to be less than 3500.

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            Pygmy hippopotamuses, as appropriately named, are small-sized relatives of common hippopotamuses. They are native to the swamps of West Africa, mainly Liberia.

            Compared to their cousins, a pygmy hippo is tiny in size. It reaches just up to 80 cms in height, and its weight is less than one-fourth of that of a full-sized hippo.

            Pygmies in general are nocturnal and solitary animals, eating only tree leaves, branches, fallen leaves, and fruits. With just less than 3000 individuals, they are classified as an endangered species by the IUCN Red List.

            The main reasons for their population decline can be predicted – habitat loss, conversion to farm land and hunting for food. In spite of the prohibition of the bush meat trade and several awareness programs about the need to conserve endangered species, hunting of pygmy hippos is still a reality in Liberia.

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            An Asiatic cheetah is one of the rarest animals today, because of its status of being critically endangered.

            One of the fastest mammals alive, this animal was once prevalent on the Indian subcontinent. Its range extended throughout India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. But today, if one has to be lucky enough to see an Asiatic cheetah, he has to go to remote areas in Eastern Iran. Hence, the animal is now also known as the Iranian cheetah. Studies show that presently there are only less than 50 cheetahs in the wild.

            One of the reasons for the disappearance of Asiatic cheetahs is thought to be the absence of preferred preys. We know for a fact that when small animals in an area are over-hunted, it affects the larger ones too.

            Apart from this, cheetahs are poached in large numbers. In Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, it was hunting that brought the cheetah population to a close.

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            As their name suggests, Chinese alligators are members of the alligator family native to China. Originally, their range extended through much of the country. But today, they can be spotted in swamps and ponds in the lower basin of the Yangtze River alone. The population of these alligators has been reduced due to exploitation of their habitat and poisoning of prey.

            The skins of Chinese alligators were once used to make drums but it was never a popular material for making leather products. Besides, these alligators do not attack humans. Yet, we treat them so badly that they are on the verge of extinction. In 1998, the largest area where alligators lived was a small pond along the Yangtze River, surrounded by farmland. And the number of individuals in them was 11!

            Poaching is another threat. These animals are hunted for their meat, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Apart from all these, they are killed simply because people think of them as a menace. Experts warn that unless extreme actions are taken, this subspecies will soon become extinct in the wild.

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            Believed to be the cutest in the world, Borneo elephants are a subspecies of Asian elephants native to the lowland forests of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are also known as pygmy elephants, with relatively small sizes, baby-faces, large ears, and plump bellies. The size of these elephants is a fifth smaller than the mainland Indian elephants.

            The tails of Bornean elephants are so long that they often drag it on the ground as they move.

            With a population less than 2000 altogether, they have been classified as endangered by the IUCN Red List. Due to massive deforestation, the habitats of these elephants in Borneo are fragmented. This leaves the animals without shelter and food. Conversion of forest land to commercial plantations, logging, expansion of agriculture fields, and palm plantations too have affected the lives of Bornean elephants very badly.

            They are also hunted down for their valuable tusks. Reports reveal that snares or poisons are often used in forests to catch the elephants. However, this endangered species is protected by law in Malaysia.

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            African wild dogs are members of the dog family that are seen in southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa, especially Tanzania, and Northern Mozambique. They mostly roam in savannah, open plains, and sometimes, in the woodlands of these countries.

            Once respected by several hunter-gatherer societies, African wild dogs are known by various different names like painted dogs, cape hunting dogs, and African hunting dogs. They are highly social, and live in packs of around 10 individuals.

            However, the dogs are most talked about for their reducing numbers. They are considered to be the most endangered predators of Africa. The major threats to their existence are killing, both accidental and targeted, as well as diseases like rabies, canine distemper etc.

            As human encroachment increases, the habitats of the wild dogs are destroyed. This is another factor that leads to Man-animal conflict.

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            Gharials are large crocodiles found in the Indian subcontinent. They are among the largest living crocodiles in the world. These animals have long snouts and mouths with around 110 sharp teeth. The name of this species comes from the unique shape of their snouts. The snouts resemble earthenware pots used in India known as ‘gharas’, hence the name gharials.

            These animals were seen in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar other than in India. But today, it is a critically endangered species that can be spotted only in India and Nepal.

            This change, experts say, has happened over the past decades. With increase in farming and agricultural practices, many habitats of the crocodiles were encroached. Then, factors like mining, pollution and other general disturbances contributed to environmental changes.

            History points out that the species came close to extinction by the 1970s, but was saved by a long-term captive breeding and re-introduction programme. However, in the late 1990s the population again declined. The National Chambal Sanctuary and Katar-niaghat Sanctuary are two of the places in the country where gharials are protected.

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            The proboscis monkey is a large tree-dwelling primate that is native to the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. With its long and pendulous nose, this is one among the most easily identifiable species of Borneo’s primates. Hence, it is also called the long-nosed monkey.

            Proboscis monkeys have partially webbed feet that make them excellent swimmers.

            Due to extensive habitat destruction and hunting, they have become endangered. Today, there are just less than 1000 of them remaining in the world. Conversion of forest land for agriculture, and palm-plantations pose major threats to their existence.

            They are also vulnerable to poaching. They are hunted for bush meat, as well as to make traditional Chinese medicine. Hence, the population is said to have reduced by more than 50 per cent in the past four decades.

            Experts note that proboscis monkeys are highly sensitive to digestive complications, noise pollution, diseases, and human interference. They are therefore, protected by law, throughout the Borneo range.

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            The black-footed ferret is a member of the weasel family that is native to North America. This short-legged animal with a slender body is perhaps, the rarest mammal in the country.

            They are nocturnal animals that leave their burrows at night. Most of their time is spent underground. Prairie dogs form the major part of the diet of a black-footed ferret. It is said that the animal eats more than 100 prairie dogs in a year.

            Once numbered in the tens of thousands, this ferret species had almost been extinct in the 1960s. But slowly, they made a comeback. However, black-footed ferrets are still endangered with just around 300 individuals in the wild, and almost the same number in captive breeding facilities.

            The main threat facing ferrets is habitat destruction. Non-native diseases too pose an equally dangerous challenge, hampering their recovery. Another reason is the massive killing of prairie dogs. This leaves ferrets without food. Many programmes have been undertaken to protect this species from extinction.

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            Bornean orang-utans are a species of orang-utans that are seen on the island of Borneo. Sharing more than 90 per cent of their DNA with humans, orang-utans are highly intelligent and skilled animals. They are small sized apes that eat over 500 plant species for their diet.

            Experts hold that orang-utans are important for the major role they play in seed dispersal. This helps, in a large way, in keeping forests healthy.

            But this species is also special, and rather precious, because of their falling numbers, According to the IUCN, the population of Bornean orang-utans has dropped by almost two-third since the 1970s.

            The most important factors contributing to this includes hunting and conversion of forest land. The pet trade using young orang-utans that involves huge cash is another threat before the species.

            Besides these, there are merciless attacks and sometimes killings by local residents, when the orang-utans move into agricultural areas and feed on them.

            The WWF is one of the few organisations that work with governments, and local bodies to conserve Bornean orang-utans.

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            Amur leopards are known by different names across the world- as Manchurian leopards, Far Eastern leopards, or Korean leopards. They are a critically endangered subspecies that are just less than 70 in number.

            This attractive wild animal is native to the Primorye region of southeastern Russia, and the Jilin province of northeast China. Like other leopards, they too run at a speed of up to 60 kilometres per hour.

            In general, amur leopards are very strong and solitary beings. However, they are on the verge of being extinct. In spite of having some tracts of suitable habitats in Russia and China, encroachments, new roads and developmental activities into the wild have badly affected their population.

            However, the main reason for the fall in number of amur leopards is massive poaching. They are hunted mostly for their beautiful skin. Reports show that in many instances, the locals living around the habitats have killed these leopards for skin.

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            Asian elephants are those distributed throughout Southeast Asia, from India to Borneo. With its immense size and strength, this largest living animal has played an important role in our economies, religions and culture.

            By nature, Asian elephants are extremely sociable animals that form groups of six to seven individuals. Most of their time is spent feeding on grasses, but they also eat tree bark, roots, leaves, and small stems besides cultivated crops like bananas and sugar cane. They prefer staying close to sources of fresh water.

            Although suitable habitats exist for this species, Asian elephants are still endangered. In India, the biggest threat is habitat loss.

            In general, these elephants face the great risk of poaching too. Their tusks are the main reason why they are hunted. They are captured alive to be used as tourist attractions or sometimes, to be used in circuses and other inhumane entertainments. Different countries have taken different legal measures to protect their elephant species. Trading in ivory and elephant hunting is illegal in most countries.

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            As the name suggests, Mexican prairie dogs are a species of prairie dogs found in Mexico. They mostly inhabit flat prairies, and valleys between mountains, at a height of 1600 to 2200 metres.

            Thought to be highly social rodents, Mexican prairie dogs belong to the same family as squirrels. They live in extensive burrow networks known as towns. Depending on the habitat, each town may have up to a hundred individuals! This species is active during the day throughout the year, and feeds on just grasses.

            However, one cannot see many of these individuals together anymore, as Mexican prairie dogs have become an endangered species. Habitat loss is the main reason for the decline in the number of Mexican prairie dogs. It is also hunted for food, and poisoned by locals, since the dogs are believed to destroy farms.

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            As strange as their name, tapirs are animals that look like pigs with a trunk, but they are in fact, related to horses and rhinoceros. Baird’s tapir is a Latin American species of tapir that is seen in Mexico, Central America, and North-western South America.

            Not many researchers have been conducted on the lives of Baird’s tapirs. But experts say that the animals are shy and solitary, and live in forests, close to areas that have a permanent water supply.

            With less than 5500 individuals left in the wild, Baird’s tapirs are classified as endangered animals by the IUCN.

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            The Andean cat is considered to be one of the cutest, and the most endangered wild cats in the world. It is a small feline with long soft fur, a thick tale and pale silvery gray colour.

            Andean mountain cats are found in the areas of the Andes Mountains of Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. The cat is believed to be a solitary animal. Its population is estimated to be less than 2500, and hence, is classified as endangered by the IUCN.

            The main reasons for the danger these cats face is habitat loss, cattle grazing, and hunting. It is said that many Andean cats have been killed by local people who believe that the cats are predators of their domestic animals. They are also killed by local shepherds or their dogs, and hunted for food and traditional medicine in places in Peru. Besides, the reduction of its prey is also a factor for the decline of this cat population.

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            The brown spider monkey is one of the seven species of spider monkeys that can be spotted in the forests of Northern Colombia and Northwestern Venezuela.

            They are primates that prefer undisturbed dense forests, and stay most of the time high in trees. Instead of walking or running on all fours, these monkeys travel mostly by swinging and climbing.

            However, it is not for their strange eating habits that the brown spider monkeys are in the news, but for the threat of extinction they face. This species was among the world’s 25 most endangered primates as of 2004 and 2006, and has been classified as critically endangered, by the IUCN Red List.

            Hunting and habitat destruction due to human encroachment, conversion of forests into agricultural lands etc. are the main factors that threaten them. Its slow reproductive rate also makes the situation worse.

            Serrania de San Lucas in southern Bolivar is one of the places where the monkeys are protected. There are also various zoos, especially in Europe, that provide them safe shelters.

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            The name Siamese crocodiles may not be familiar to most of us. They are among the most endangered reptiles in the world today. These fresh water crocodiles were previously found throughout South Asia, in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. But today, their surviving population can be seen only in the Mekong River basin and wetlands in Cambodia, and a few other places. Even here, their habitat is fragmented, owing to hunting and human activities.

            The main threats to Siamese crocodiles are humans. Aggressive hunting for crocodile skin, conversion of rainforest habitats into agricultural farms, use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers etc have contributed greatly to the declining population of these reptiles. It is said that there are not more than 5000 Siamese crocodiles alive today.

            However, the crocodiles are extensively bred and maintained in captivity, in Cambodia, as well as in Thailand. There are also many conservation programmes underway in these two countries, which gives a little hope regarding the future of these endangered crocodiles.

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            The Malayan tiger is a subspecies of tiger found in the southern and central parts of the Malay Peninsula, and in the southern tip of Thailand. Unlike other tigers, they mostly live in open woodlands. Deer, wild boar, gaur, tapir, sun bear, and elephant calves are the main food source of these wild animals.

            In 2015, the Malayan tigers were classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. This was because their population was estimated to be less than 250, and had declined by more than 25 per cent in seven years.

            The main reasons for the fall in the Malayan tiger population are hunting and habitat destruction. The tigers especially are of high demand across markets in Asia, for their bush meat and bones, which are also used as a sign of wealth, or for making folk medicine.

            The Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT), comprising the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), Traffic South-east Asia, Wildlife Conservation Society, and WWF-Malaysia is a prominent organisation that works towards conserving this subspecies.

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