The North Atlantic part of the world is home to many beautiful and rare species of mammals. Of these species, many have become endangered species over the last few decades. While this is unfortunate, very little has been done outside of non-profit work to help these animals repopulate. The following is a list of the top 5 most endangered mammals in the North Atlantic region.
North Atlantic Right Whale
This mammal hails in the Atlantic region of North America. It can typically be seen around the waters of Maryland, Connecticut and Delaware. In late 1998, the population of these beautiful whales was down to less than 70 individual whales, which is astonishingly low. This number is far below the set endangered threshold of 250. Their numbers have started to grow again recently, with the living number of Right Whales at around 350 – 400.
The Canada Wood Bison
The Canada Wood Bison is North America’s largest terrestrial mammal currently in existence. It is a close relative of the Plains Bison, which was almost driven to extinction in the 19th century. This majestic animal is currently facing a severe dilution of it’s gene pool due to cross-breeding with other types of Bison. They are also prone to diseases such as brucellosis, which is hindering efforts to help regrow their numbers.
The Canadian Beaver
This beaver mainly lives in the northeastern part of Canada. It became endangered in the early 20th century, mainly due to the fact that many people used to make hats from their fur. In the mid-20th century, the Canadian government made beaver trapping illegal, which has helped to replenish their numbers somewhat.
Stellar Sea Lion
The Stellar Sea Lion has been estimated to have a population of close to 85,000. Their numbers have declined over 50 percent since the early 1960s when their numbers were over 300,000.
Spotted Dolphin
While this creature is not yet endangered, they are well worth mentioning. because of the current trade practices of man, it is estimated that the declining number of these dolphins will soon place them in the list of endangered mammals. They tend to live in warmer climates, such as the South Pacific, but can be found as far as the North Atlantic region.