1. Extinct, Endangered, and Conserved Species By Aditi

2. Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus) Native to Australia, the thylacine was last seen on the mainland over 2,000 years ago Native to Australia, the thylacine was last seen on the mainland over 2,000 years ago Their heavy-handed hunting, prompted in part by farmers’ protection of their livestock, brought the animal to minimalist numbers by the early 20th century Their heavy-handed hunting, prompted in part by farmers’ protection of their livestock, brought the animal to minimalist numbers by the early 20th century Apex-predator Apex-predator Closest living relative is the tasmanian devil or numbat Closest living relative is the tasmanian devil or numbat Preferred the dry eucalyptus forests, wetlands, and grasslands in Australia Preferred the dry eucalyptus forests, wetlands, and grasslands in Australia Nocturnal and crepuscular hunter Nocturnal and crepuscular hunter Exclusively carnivorous Exclusively carnivorous The thylacine’s disappearance followed heavy persecution by colonists in Tasmania, in response to alleged sheep predation by this species. The thylacine’s disappearance followed heavy persecution by colonists in Tasmania, in response to alleged sheep predation by this species.

3. Vaquita (Phocoena sinus) Vaquita, the world’s most rare marine mammal, is on the edge of extinction. Vaquita, the world’s most rare marine mammal, is on the edge of extinction. Caught and drowned in gillnets used by illegal fishing operations in marine protected areas within Mexico's Gulf of California. Caught and drowned in gillnets used by illegal fishing operations in marine protected areas within Mexico's Gulf of California. Most often found close to shore in the Gulf's shallow waters Most often found close to shore in the Gulf's shallow waters No close relatives No close relatives They are top priority for conservation campaigns. They are top priority for conservation campaigns. Extinction of the vaquita could potentially cause negative effects on shark population sizes and lead to potential over-population of their prey species such as benthic fishes, squid, and crustaceans. Extinction of the vaquita could potentially cause negative effects on shark population sizes and lead to potential over-population of their prey species such as benthic fishes, squid, and crustaceans. Mexico is leading conservation efforts—>International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita (CIRVA), which has attempted to help prevent the accidental deaths of vaquita by outlawing the use of fishing nets within the vaquita’s habitat. Mexico is leading conservation efforts—>International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita (CIRVA), which has attempted to help prevent the accidental deaths of vaquita by outlawing the use of fishing nets within the vaquita’s habitat.

4. Przewalski Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) The World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Species listed the Przewalski’s horse as extinct until 2008 when they were re-introduced The World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Species listed the Przewalski’s horse as extinct until 2008 when they were re-introduced Causes of extinction: hunting, harsh climate, loss of habitat and loss of water source to farm animals Causes of extinction: hunting, harsh climate, loss of habitat and loss of water source to farm animals Habitat: Steppe vegetation, shrublands and plains Habitat: Steppe vegetation, shrublands and plains Diet: grasses and other vegetation Diet: grasses and other vegetation 400 horses now roam in re- introduction sites in Mongolia and China 400 horses now roam in re- introduction sites in Mongolia and China

5. Works Cited "EDGE of Existence." EDGE of Existence. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014. "EDGE of Existence." EDGE of Existence. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014. "Przewalski's Horse." Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014. "Przewalski's Horse." Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014. WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014. WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 21 Aug. 2014.