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We picked this topic, because we are very interested in learning about different endangered species. The decline in animals has been growing significantly in the last century. We want to find out why that is happening. We chose the following five animals to learn about in greater detail. This is the information we found on endangered species.

Cheetahs are an endangered species because of loss of habitat, decline in prey, poaching, being shot as a livestock predator and fur trade. Cheetahs are located in Africa and Asia. Cheetahs are already extinct in most of Asia and 16 African countries, the cheetah is often disliked because it feeds on other animals to survive. The cheetah is the fastest animal in the world. There slender, long legged body is built for speed.

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The Gorilla is today one of the most endangered species. Some of the reasons for this are human made while few are natural. Their population is fast dwindling. According to scientists, there are only about fifty thousand gorillas left in the African wild. There are just about two thousand five hundred eastern low land gorillas and about six hundred mountain gorillas in the world. The Mountain gorillas are on the verge of extinction.They are hunted, fall victims to traps laid for other animals, and are vulnerable to human diseases. Their habitat is under threat. media type="youtube" key="HDxA8-01cp4?fs=1" height="385" width="480" 

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Koala Although not officially classified as endangered, the population of the beloved koala has dropped by 90% in less than a decade! The koala is a marsupial animal. They are only found in the Eucalyptus forests of Eastern Australia. They only feed on the leaves of certain species of Eucalyptus. Within 30 years they may be extinct. Experts say that just seven years ago there were about 100,000 koalas in the forest of Australia. They are now cutting down forests for roads, homes, cities, etc. The koala population is now down to about 43,000. Many koala's were killed by cars when they were trying to cross the road, dog attacks, and by disease. Panda Bear Panda bears from China are an endangered species. Loggers have been cutting down there homes in the forest which has led to a lack of food and shelter. They are trying to save them by breeding them in captivity. Giant pandas are an endangered species and in fact, are the representatives of all endangered animals. There are only around 2,500 giant pandas left, worldwide. They are amongst the most threatened species of bears. Their population is on a considerable decline and this calls for prompt attention and action, to save them from extinction. Red pandas are classified as vulnerable and could become endangered soon, if their population continues to decrease. media type="custom" key="7975334" 



Polar Bears are one of the largest land animals and one of the two largest meat-eaters on land, but they are in serious danger of going extinct due to global warming. Polar Bears depend on sea ice for hunting and making their dens, but in the summer months especially, the sea ice is melting. With out sea ice the Polar Bears have to swim farther to find a suitable habitat and it takes longer for them to find a meal. Polar bears can only swim 6 miles an hour and it takes even longer for them to find food because of the sea ice melting, there food source is low. An interesting fact about polar bears is that there fur is really yellow, not white. These polar bears are located in the Tundra Shores of the Arctic Ocean. 

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">sources: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Scholastic News Edition 3, 2/1/2010 Volume 66 Issue 14 page 2-2 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Scholastic DynaMath Nov/Dec 2006 Volume 25 Issue 3 page 3-3