5 Vulnerable Animal Species That May Surprise You

These animals aren’t quite on the endangered species list, but if we’re not careful, they soon could be.

By Allison Futterman
Nov 23, 2021 2:00 AMNov 23, 2021 2:20 AM
Humboldt Penguins
Credit: (Jearu/Shutterstock)

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The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) describes their Red List as “the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species.” The IUCN has multiple levels of conservation status, including critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable. Critically endangered and endangered animals get most of the attention. But there are many others who are at risk and vulnerable. Unfortunately, we don’t hear much about them. While there are many vulnerable plants, animals, and fungi on the IUNC Red List, here are five that may surprise you.

Bearded Pig

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