threatened

One third of more than five hundred shark species are threatened with extinction according to World Conservation Union. Many species of shark are facing a grave threat to their existence because of worldwide fishing trends.

Similar to many species of animals that are threatened, butterflies also risk disappearing from nature. It is estimated that 17,500 species of butterflies are spread throughout almost the entire world.

"What’s immediately needed if we are to halt the decimation of the western gorilla is nothing short of a massive global response," said Richard Parnell, of the Wildlife Conservation Society. This author agrees. The following list is a response to the immediate need for action to prevent the extinction of gorillas and other threatened primate species—our closest relatives on Earth.