Not really born free!

here was a time when tigers and lions roamed the wild without fear. When the black rhino was the pride of Africa and the elephant was revered in Asia. But incessant poaching, destruction of their natural environment for development and climate change has made these pearls of the wild not just endangered but in many cases ‘critically’ endangered.

Here's a look at some species that may soon be Dinasaured out of the planet.



Asiatic Lion
This king of the jungle once ranged from the Mediterranean to the north-eastern parts of the Indian subcontinent, but excessive hunting, water pollution and decline in natural prey reduced their habitat. Today they are found only in the Gir Forest of Gujarat, India. In 2005, 359 Asiatic lions were reportedly sighted in the Gir forest.



Giant Panda


This cute and cuddly bear, that's been the inspiration not just for movies (Kung-fu Panda) but also many a stuff toys, is native to central-western and south western China. Due to farming, forest clearing, and other development, the Giant Panda has been driven out of the lowland areas where it once lived. Today China has 239 Giant Pandas in captivity and another 27 living outside the country. It also estimated that around 1,590 pandas are currently living in the wild.



Asian Elephant
Hunted for it ivory tusks, the majestic Asian elephant is considered an endangered species with only about 50,000 left in the wild. Found primarily in Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Indochina and parts of Nepal and Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, the animal is widely domesticated and has been used in forestry in South and Southeast Asia for centuries as well as in ceremonial purposes.



Bactrian Camel
Native to the northeastern Asia, this two-humped camel is in the critically endangered species list. Although an estimated 1.4 million Bactrian camels live in domestication, only 950 remain in the wild today and the number is decreasing.



Black Rhinoceros
About 3,600 Black Rhinos exist in the world today. Although referred to as 'black', the animal is actually grey, white or brown in appearance. The Rhino has been poached to near extinction for its horns, which are believed to have medicinal properties (and in some folklore magical properties). In 1990, the two horns from a single black rhino brought as much as $50,000.



Tiger
Tiger, tiger, burning bright, In the forests of the night.
What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

Sadly, William Blake didn't know that man could not just do that but also send the tiger to the cemetery. The natural habitat of this wild cat that once ranged from Mesopotamia and the Caucasus through most of South and East Asia, has been radically reduced. At the start of the 20th century, it is estimated there were over 100,000 tigers in the world but the population has dwindled to about 2,000 in the wild -- a result of mindless poaching and destruction of its habitat.



Mountain Gorilla
Although not really hunted for meat, a large number of mountain gorillas get killed or maimed by traps meant for other animals. They have been killed for their heads, hands, and feet, which are sold to collectors. Infants are sold to zoos, researchers, and people who want them as pets. The abduction of infants generally involves the loss of at least one adult, as members of a group will fight to the death to protect their young. Destruction of their natural habitat and disease also threaten the gorilla.



Snow Leopard
There are less than 7,000 of these cats remaining in the wild. Native to mountain ranges of central Asia, the snow leopard has been hunted for its fur and although the animal is protected in most areas, local hunting and trapping continues. The snow leopard is still hunted for its bones, which are commonly used in many Chinese medicines and this, along with the enforced decline of many of the cats larger prey species has put it in the endangered animal list.

Source: India Syndicate
Images: Reuters