The endangered animals conservationists are working to save in 2026

The fluffy orange Cao Vit Gibbon clings on to branches and leaves with its hooked black toes, carrying a small black gibbon baby on its stomach. — Image caption,
The Cao vit gibbon is on the list because it is the second rarest primate. Conservationists think there are only 74 of these gibbons still alive, living on the China-Vietnam border

7 January 2026

What links a rainbow tarantula, a venomous snake and a hook-fingered, fluffy gibbon?

They are all on a list of highly threatened animals conservationists are working to protect this year.

The Fauna & Flora charity, which looks after nature in lots of different countries, has named 10 animals which it will focus on helping this year.

Kristian Teleki, head of the charity, said time was running out to save "truly extraordinary" species but said there is still "hope" thanks to the people working to protect them.

Let's take a closer look at some of the animals.

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What are the main risks to the animals on the list?

Many animals are threatened because their habitat - or home - is being destroyed.

Activities like deforestation when forests are cleared for farmland, urbanisation and the expansion of roads and cities, hunting of species, overfishing and water pollution all have a negative impact on animal and plant species.

Climate change is also a big threat. Scientists say many of the changes to the Earth's climate are caused by human activity - this means things that humans are doing.

Conservationists research and carry out measures to protect the environment and the wildlife and plants that live in it for future generations.

Which animals are on the list?

A venemous Saint Lucia fer de lance snake stares with one eye at the camera. It is light brown speckled with gold and black, covered in scales.

This snake is called the Saint Lucia fer de lance. It can grow up to two metres long and is venomous, which means it releases dangerous venom when it bites something.

It is widely feared on the Caribbean island of St Lucia, where it lives, but it is not aggressive.

It is facing extinction, which means it could completely die out if nothing is done to protect it.

A long, silvery eel is being held over a white bucket. It has a silver underside and dark grey back, with one tiny fin visible.

Next on the list is the European eel.

The number of these slippery fish swimming about in the UK has dropped because of overfishing and pollution.

The Fauna and Flora charity is going to do more research on how to preserve the species.

The Psychedelic earth tiger also known as the Indian rainbow tarantula, points its furry black and orange front legs to the sky. It has a black and burgandy abdomen and is covered in tiny hairs.

The Indian rainbow tarantula, also known as the psychedelic earth tiger, is a colourful spider with a metallic shine only found in tropical forests in Kerala, South India.

It is threatened by deforestation and the illegal pet trade.

A Temminck's pangolin walks in the sun. It's body, tail and head are covered in brown scales.

Temminck's pangolin, a scaly mammal, is threatened by the illegal meat and scale trade.

It is found in areas of East and Southern Africa.

Conservationists are going to look after rescued and injured pangolins in Mozambique, a country in Southeastern Africa.

The body of a blackchin guitarfish is being held by a person wearing a white t-shirt and a blue and maroon board shorts. It has a flattened nose and broad, wing-like fins, but a long, finned tail.

This is a blackchin guitarfish - yes that's its real name.

It is critically endangered, meaning it is at extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

It is found in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic Ocean.

The Utila spiny-tailed iguana walks through grass. It has mottled blue and cream scales, and a forked pink tongue that sticks out, with small black eyes.

The Utila spiny-tailed iguana is named after a small island in Honduras, a country in Central America, and the only place it is found.

Conservationists are looking to protect and restore the mangrove trees, where the iguana lives, to make sure it has somewhere safe to reproduce.

A Saker falcon glids over a plain. It has brown and white feathers and a hooked beak.

The Saker falcon has been highly prized by falconers - people who train birds of prey - for centuries, particularly in the Middle East.

Because it is a popular pet, the numbers of the bird living in the wild have dropped.

A yellow and orange wild tulip with six orange petals and long pale green leaves stands in a field with other flowers.

Many wild tulips, the colourful spring flower, are threatened with extinction due to overgrazing and trampling by animals in their native Central Asian mountain homes.

A brown and black Clouded leopard with patterned fur is walking through some trees.

Clouded leopards, which are found in Cambodia, Indonesia and around the Himalayan mountains,are a prime target for the illegal wildlife trade.

They are often trapped and sold as pets, and their teeth, claws and bones are valuable.