Gone Forever
Civilizations across the world have led to the extinction of multiple animal species, whether through hunting them, pollution, or other factors. In recent years especially, environmental degradation has gotten worse and worse. From beautiful birds to unique mammals, these are five animals that have gone extinct.
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1. Golden Toad
The golden toad of Costa Rica was a species that had a striking golden color and distinct reproduction patterns. They had a breeding cycle that was synchronized with regular rainfall patterns. The onset of climate change and shifting weather patterns caused a decline in their population, leading to their eventual recent extinction.
2. Chinese Paddlefish
The Chinese paddlefish was a freshwater fish in the Yangtze River of China. It is one of the largest species of freshwater fish. It was severely impacted by overfishing and dam building in its range, and in 2019, was declared officially extinct by the IUCN.
3. Po’ouli
The poʻouli, a tiny bird found in forests on the island of Maui in Hawaii, was only described as a species as recently as 1973. The fact that it was only known to live in one small area made it particularly at risk from loss of habitat and other environmental factors. It was also threatened by rats and competition from other birds.
4. Jalpa False Brook Salamander
The Jalpa false brook salamander was last seen in 1976 and has not been found in the wild since. The IUCN states that logging, agricultural expansion, and aquaculture led to habitat destruction, and the amphibian was driven to extinction by people. It was officially declared extinct in 2019.
5. Thylacine
The thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, was a carnivorous marsupial that was endemic to Tasmania, Australia, and New Guinea. It had a striped back and a dog-like appearance. It became extinct as a result of hunting, loss of habitat, and disease introduced by humans. The last known individual passed in captivity in 1936, but some claim to still see them in the wild, yet this is unconfirmed.
