The rarest animal in the world is the Pin-ta Island Tortoise. This is one of the few remaining Galapagos tortoises. This species was thought extinct until 1971 when a male was found. Rangers are offering a $10,000 reward for anyone who finds a female. Otherwise, no more Pin-ta tortoises.

The second rarest animal is the Baiji, a Yangtze River Dolphin. Only about 50 or so survive of this species. Due to food competition with humans coupled with damming and barges, the habitats have slowly decreased and fragmented the dolphins. This species is possibly extinct.

Third up is the Vancouver Island Marmot. Found only in the mountainous regions of Vancouver, this marmot is very close to extinction. In 1998, only 75 were found. Since then, several captivities have been set up, hoping to rebound the population.

Seychelles Sheath-Tailed Bat is number 4 on the list. This bat inhabits the islands north of Madagascar. Fewer than 100 are believed to be in existence. Scientists believe that if the population is brought to 500, the species can have long term survival.

The Javan Rhino is up next on the list at number 5. The estimated survivor count is only 60 or fewer left. They were hunted for their horns that were though to have medicinal powers.

At number 6 is the hispid hare. It was though extinct in 1964, but one was spotted in 1966. They reside in the Himalayan foothills. 110 were left in 2001. Since then, the population has declined due to an inability to adapt to captivity.

At 7 comes the northern hairy-nosed wombat. An estimate 113 are left. A refuge is currently in use to try to help these creatures with a $250,000 government fund.

Coming up at 8 is the Tamar-aw. In 1900, 10,000 were alive. Since then, the numbers dropped dramatically. In 1975, only 120 were left. In 1987, 270. Agriculture, hunting, and disease are the killers of these beasts.

The Iberian Lynx is at 9 on the list. Of the 36 world’s cats, this is the most endangered. There may as little as 100 left. However there is hope. In 2005, 3 cubs were born signaling a light of hope to reintroduce these animals to the wild.

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The final animal at spot number 10 is the red wolf, a cousin of the more well known gray wolf. In 1980, only 20 pure red wolves were alive. However that number has increased to over 200. With very successful breeding programs, more wolves have been released into the wild.