5 Last Ever Photos & Video Footage of Now Extinct Animals

Extinction is a sad reality of our planet. Over the millions of years that life has existed on Earth, countless species have come and gone. In the last hundred years, however, the rate of extinction has accelerated due to human activity. This is a sobering reminder of how fragile life is and how easily entire species can be wiped out.

Here are five animals that went extinct in the last hundred years or so, along with the last photographs or video footage we have of them:

Baiji dolphin: The baiji, or Chinese river dolphin, was the rarest cetacean of all. It was a small, gray dolphin with a long, narrow beak. The baiji was found only in the Yangtze River in China. The last known sighting of a baiji was in 2006, and it is now presumed extinct.

Barbary lion: The Barbary lion once lived in the deserts and mountains of northern Africa. It was a large, powerful lion with a dark mane. The Barbary lion was hunted for its fur and its bones, and it was also killed in competition with domestic livestock. The last known Barbary lion was killed in Morocco in 1922.

Thylacine: The thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, was a marsupial that once lived in Australia. It was a large, dog-like animal with a striped back. The thylacine was hunted for its fur and its meat, and it was also killed because it was seen as a threat to livestock. The last known thylacine died in captivity in 1936.

Laysan rail: The Laysan rail was a flightless bird that lived on the Hawaiian island of Laysan. It was a small, brown bird with red eyes. The Laysan rail was hunted for food, and its habitat was destroyed by introduced predators. The last known Laysan rail was seen in 1944.

Caspian tiger: The Caspian tiger was one of the largest subspecies of tiger. It was found in the forests of Iran, Turkey, and Central Asia. The Caspian tiger was hunted for its fur and its bones, and it was also killed because it was seen as a threat to humans. The last known Caspian tiger was seen in the early 1970s.

These are just a few examples of the many animals that have gone extinct in recent history. It is important to remember these creatures and the threats that led to their extinction, so that we can work to prevent other species from meeting the same fate.

How can we prevent extinction?

There are a number of things that we can do to help prevent extinction. These include:

Reducing our impact on the environment. We can do this by reducing our consumption of resources, recycling, and using renewable energy.

Conserving habitats and protecting endangered species. We can do this by creating protected areas, managing our land use wisely, and supporting sustainable development.

Supporting scientific research. Scientific research can help us to better understand the threats facing endangered species and develop effective conservation strategies.

Raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity. We can do this by educating the public about the importance of biodiversity and the threats facing endangered species.

We all have a role to play in preventing extinction. By taking action today, we can help to ensure that future generations can enjoy the diversity of life on Earth.

In addition to the actions listed above, there are a number of other things that we can do to help prevent extinction. For example, we can choose to support businesses that are committed to sustainability. We can also avoid buying products that are made from endangered species or their products. And we can get involved in local conservation efforts.

Every little bit helps. By taking action, we can make a difference in the fight against extinction.