Poachers and hunters are responsible for the early decline of black rhino population. The world's animal population has halved in 40 years as humans put unsustainable demands on Earth, according to <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F09%2F30%2Fbusiness%2Fwild-life-decline-wwf%2Findex.html">a 2014 report from the World Wide Fund for Nature</a>.
Black rhino —
Poachers and hunters are responsible for the early decline of black rhino population. The world's animal population has halved in 40 years as humans put unsustainable demands on Earth, according to a 2014 report from the World Wide Fund for Nature.
CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images
The existence of Hawksbill sea turtles have been traced back 100 million years. Now they are critically endangered, the WWF says.
Hawksbill sea turtle —
The existence of Hawksbill sea turtles have been traced back 100 million years. Now they are critically endangered, the WWF says.
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Image
As humans move more into the mountain gorillas' territory, the gorillas have been pushed farther up into the mountains, forcing them to endure dangerous and sometimes deadly conditions, the WWF report on the planet says.
Mountain gorilla —
As humans move more into the mountain gorillas' territory, the gorillas have been pushed farther up into the mountains, forcing them to endure dangerous and sometimes deadly conditions, the WWF report on the planet says.
STEPHANIE AGLIETTI/AFP/Getty Images
Amur Leopard, a rare species of leopard living on the borders of Russia and China, was the winner of the 2013 WWF award dedicated to the positive evolution of an endangered species, but remains critically endangered.
Amur leopard —
Amur Leopard, a rare species of leopard living on the borders of Russia and China, was the winner of the 2013 WWF award dedicated to the positive evolution of an endangered species, but remains critically endangered.
JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images
Sumatran orangutans are losing their natural habitats to mining, palm oil and paper plantations.
Sumatran orangutan —
Sumatran orangutans are losing their natural habitats to mining, palm oil and paper plantations.
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Image
The South China tiger is considered "functionally extinct," as it has not been sighted in the wild for more than 25 years.
South China tiger —
The South China tiger is considered "functionally extinct," as it has not been sighted in the wild for more than 25 years.
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Image
Sumatran elephants come into conflict with humans due to the rapid expansion of palm oil plantations which destroy their habitat.
Sumatran elephant —
Sumatran elephants come into conflict with humans due to the rapid expansion of palm oil plantations which destroy their habitat.
SUTANTA ADITYA/AFP/Getty Images
Sumatran tigers are the smallest surviving tiger species and are protected by law in Indonesia. But despite increased efforts in tiger conservation, they remain critically endangered.
Sumatran tiger —
Sumatran tigers are the smallest surviving tiger species and are protected by law in Indonesia. But despite increased efforts in tiger conservation, they remain critically endangered.
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images
Leatherback turtles are the largest sea turtle species and also one of the most migratory, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. According to WWF, their numbers have seriously declined during the last century as a result of intense egg collection and fishing.
Leatherback turtle —
Leatherback turtles are the largest sea turtle species and also one of the most migratory, crossing both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. According to WWF, their numbers have seriously declined during the last century as a result of intense egg collection and fishing.
Peter Richardson via Getty Images
Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered species. Because of poaching and disease, their numbers have declined by more than 60% over the last 20 to 25 years, according to the WWF's report.
Western lowland gorilla —
Western lowland gorillas are critically endangered species. Because of poaching and disease, their numbers have declined by more than 60% over the last 20 to 25 years, according to the WWF's report.
Oli Scarff/Getty Image
The population of Yangtze finless porpoises is declining rapidly. The freshwater dolphins are suffering due to pollution and hunting.
Yangtze finless porpoise —
The population of Yangtze finless porpoises is declining rapidly. The freshwater dolphins are suffering due to pollution and hunting.
PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images
Sumatran rhino populations are extremely threatened by poaching, the WWF says.
Sumatran rhino —
Sumatran rhino populations are extremely threatened by poaching, the WWF says.
Mike Simons/Getty Images