Ocean Sentry
They are among the most endangered seals in the world, having a total population of only about 310 individuals. Saimaa Seals reside only in Lake Saimaa in southern Finland. Breeding success of Saimaa ringed seal depends on sufficient ice and snow cover to build the lairs where they give birth. …
February, 2018
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6 February
Angelshark (Squatina squatina) – It is believed to be extinct across most of its former range
Angelsharks are among the most threatened fish worldwide, facing regional and global extinction. In Europe, populations of the three Critically Endangered angel sharks (Squatina aculeata, Squatina oculata, and Squatina squatina) have been severely depleted. Angelsharks were once widespread throughout Europe’s seas, but are now extinct from much of their former …
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4 February
Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso) – Population decline of over 90% in the past three generations
The Beluga sturgeon is native to the Black, Caspian, Azov and Adriatic Seas and can live in excess of 100 years. Based on catch data, and a number of recorded spawning individuals it is estimated that the species has seen a wild native population decline of over 90% in the …
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2 February
Abbott’s booby (Papasula abbotti) – About 6,000 individuals
This species breeds only in a few spots on the Australian territory of Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean, and it has a small population which has declined rapidly owing to the effects of past habitat clearance. The population is decreasing. Historically much of its former habitat was logged to make way …
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2 February
Amsterdam Albatross (Diomedea amsterdamensis) – About 130 individuals, with 80 adults
Diomedea amsterdamensis has an extremely small population confined to a tiny area on one island. Although numbers have recently been increasing, a continuing decline is projected owing to the impact of a disease which is probably already causing chick mortality. Amsterdam Albatross breeds only on Amsterdam Island in the southern …
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2 February
Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) – Fewer than 2,000
Galapagos penguin is endemic to the Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador. The species is undergoing severe fluctuations, primarily as a result of marine perturbations that may be becoming more extreme. Contamination from oil spills poses another severe potential threat. Non-native predators like rats, cats, and dogs remain problems on many islands. Feral cats …
January, 2018
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30 January
Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) – Between 50,000 – 90,000 remain
Over 725,000 fin whales were reportedly taken from the Southern Hemisphere between 1905 and 1976, as of 1997 only 38,000 survived. Recovery of the overall population size of southern species is predicted to be at less than 50% of its pre-whaling state by 2100 due to heavier impacts of whaling …
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30 January
Hector’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori) – Only 7,000 remain
Hector’s dolphin is endemic to New Zealand and is found in shallow coastal waters. Hector’s dolphin has the most limited range of any marine cetacean other than the Vaquita (Phocoena sinus). The main cause of population decline is ongoing bycatch in fisheries and entanglement in gillnets. Additional threats include pollution, …
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30 January
African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) – Only 55,000 individuals remain
Roughly 4 million penguins existed at the beginning of the 19th century. The African penguin is only found on the south-western coast of Africa, living in colonies on 24 islands between Namibia and Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It is the only penguin species that breeds in Africa. …
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30 January
Galápagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) – Only between 20,000 and 50,000 remain
Recent genetic data support the classification as a separate species that separated from the California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) about 2.3 ± 0.5 million years ago. The Galápagos Sea Lion population declined by 60-65% from 1978 to 2001. Since then there is no evidence of further decline or increase. Introduced …
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30 January
Indus River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica ssp. minor) – About 1,000-1,200 Indus river dolphins remain
The Indus River dolphin is one of two subspecies of the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica). The dolphin is endemic to the rivers of the lower Indus basin in Pakistan and India. The most significant threat to dolphins in the Indus has been the construction of the Indus basin irrigation system …
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30 January
Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) – Only 1,200 – 1,800 individuals remain
The Ganges River dolphin, or “susu”, inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. The reduction in population size continues, and its causes have not ceased. More barrages are planned and under construction, habitat quality is expected to deteriorate further, mortality primarily from fishing gear entanglement …