According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) there are many endangered species all over the world and some more than others. The IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.

The most critically endangered types of deer/antelope are the Addax, Hirola, Ader’s Duiker, Dama Gazelle, and the Saiga. These are found in parts of Africa, Europe as well as Asia. They are getting killed off because of other predators eating them or because of people hunting them.

A study by the University of Exeter provides the first evidence that coral reefs can recover from the devastating effects of climate change. Published Jan. 11, 2010 in the journal PLoS ONE, the research shows for the first time that coral reefs located in marine reserves can recover from the impacts of global warming.

Scientists and environmentalists have warned that coral reefs may not be able to recover from the damage caused by climate change and that these unique environments could soon be lost forever. Now, this research adds weight to the argument that reducing levels of fishing is a viable way of protecting the world's most delicate aquatic ecosystems.

1.  WhalesForever (http://www.earthprotect.com/your-details/898-WhalesForever.html) -

I have dreams of riding whales. I hope they are around forever

So it favorite Animals week, which I may be stretching animals to the insect kingdom, but for today this guy is my favorite. This is a Luna Moth and to some degree they're quite rare. Humans rarely see the moth because they fly at night. They also have become endangered as a result of pollution and loss of habitat.  Symbolically this moth represents spiritual transformation, so to find this guy on a quiet walk through nature was a nice reminder of our place within all things.

Just a century ago, more than 1 million chimpanzees roamed the African forests. Today, scientists figure there are perhaps as few as 300,000 chimpanzees left.

Without concerted action, the possibility of zero chimpanzees in the wild – indeed, a world in which remaining forests and savannas are virtually empty – is all too real. As Jane Goodall says, “We must not let it happen.”

Time may be running out for orangutans living in the rainforests of Sumatra, it has been warned.

According to the Jakarta Post, the "auburn haired" creatures may be facing extinction as they can now only be found in the north of Sumatra and Aceh, areas which are both being hit by deforestation.

By SINDYA N. BHANOO

The Center for Biological Diversity is spreading the word about the impact of population growth on the environment by distributing condoms with cheeky slogans.

The name “orangutan” literally translates into English as “man of the forest”. It comes from Malay and Bahasa Indonesian orang (man) and hutan (forest).

Orangutans are extremely intelligent creatures who clearly have the ability to reason and think. Their similarity to us is uncanny. Baby orangutans cry when they’re hungry, whimper when they’re hurt and smile at their mothers. They express emotions just like we do: joy, fear, anger, surprise…. it’s all there. If you take a few minutes and watch an orangutan, you’ll swear they’re just like us. And they kind of are….

This month, conservationists in the Czech Republic and Kenya launchedan audacious bid to save one of the world's rarest animals: thenorthern white rhinoceros. Four of the last eight known northern whitesin the world, two male and two female, were packed into wooden cratesand sent from a Czech zoo to Kenya, where scientists hope they will getdown to the business of breeding.

The rhinos arrived at Nairobi's main airport at 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 19. Hamish Currie prowled the tarmac directing trucks, tractors and a giant crane as the animals came off the 747.

Great Whites Could Go Extinct Before Tigers

Two of the world's most famous carnivores are now under the microscope for being perilously close to extinction. One of them, the tiger, has gotten plenty of PR recently, along with the frightening revelation that the entire species could be on the brink of being wiped out. But it turns out that the Great White shark may be even more endangered. With only a few thousand left in the wild, and an icier public opinion towards them, the fearsome Great White could well go extinct in coming years.

The Great White Plight

According to the Guardian, a recent survey completed as a part of the Census for Marine Life, has found that there are only some 3,500 individual Great Whites left in the wild--around the same number of tigers that conservationists believe are left. And shark populations are plummeting around the world--the Great White being no exception. The sharks are being killed from collisions with shipping vessels and from overfishing.