20 Remarkable Animals That Disappeared Forever in the Last 150 Years

In 2015, scientists at Conservation Biology deduced that the rate of species extinction is 1,000 times higher than natural extinction. They further highlighted the main causative agents as human-led activities like poaching, climate change, and destruction of animal habitat.

A 2019 UN report on biodiversity says that since the 16th century, at least 680 vertebral species have been wiped from the world, and many have been lost forever over the last hundred years alone. The loss of these animals would be irreparable damage to Earth’s biodiversity and culture, a tragedy we should reflect upon and, more importantly, take action on.

In the past 150 years, so many animals have vanished forever. Here are 20 of them.

Passenger Pigeon (1914)

At one time, they numbered in the billions and dominated North American skies. Their flocks were so dense that they would block the sun for hours.

These birds became extinct by the late 19th century, eliminating unchecked hunting and habitat loss. In 1914, the last known bird, Martha, died in captivity. She was about 29 years old.

Tasmanian Tiger (1936)

This wolf-like marsupial, known as the Thylacine, roamed Australia and Tasmania. Habitat destruction and intense hunting brought it to extinction.

The final evidence of human activity’s terrible impact came in 1936 when the last known individual died in the Hobart Zoo in Tasmania.

Great Auk (1844)

The Great Auk was a great swimmer for a flightless seabird—extinction by hunting for its feathers and meat. The last breeding pair was killed at Eldey Island, Iceland, in 1844, and this was the tipping point.

Golden Toad (1989)

A dazzling amphibian, the Golden Toad of Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest, almost disappeared due to climate change and disease. Conservationists have not seen it since 1989, and it has been declared extinct.

Pinta Island Tortoise (2012)

In June 2012, the Galápagos National Park lost Lonesome George, the last known member of this giant tortoise subspecies. The Pinta population was overhunted, and invasive species drove it to extinction, which was sad for conservationists.

Ivory Billed Woodpecker (2000s)

Most experts believed the animal to be extinct, and brief reports of sightings resuscitated this flicker of hope in the early 2000s. But extensive habitat destruction in the swamps of what is now the US South probably doomed it.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, though the species is not extinct, there are still no known surviving populations.

Baiji River Dolphin (2007)

Known as the “Goddess of the Yangtze,” the Baiji River Dolphin was declared functionally extinct due to pollution, overfishing, and dam construction in its freshwater habitat.

The loss means that cetaceans, including whales and dolphins, have become the first marine mammal species to go extinct due to human activity.

Caribbean Monk Seal (1952)

These seals were declared extinct due to overexploitation for their oil and are found throughout the Caribbean. Relentless hunting and habitat degradation caused the last confirmed sighting in 1952. The US, however, did not officially declare their extinction until 2008.

Pyrenean Ibex (2000)

The Pyrenees of Spain and France once housed this majestic mountain goat. Hunting decimated their numbers, and the last remaining female died in 2000. In 2009, a clone failed to survive.

The Western Black Rhinoceros (2011)

The Western Black Rhino was wiped out through persistent poaching of its precious horn. However, despite conservation efforts, the Sparrow disappeared, still holding a low subspecies declared extinct in 2011.

Toolache Wallaby (1939)

Native to Australia, this graceful wallaby was famous for its agile coat and dexterity. Its population declined due to sheep grazing and hunting, the last record being in 1939.

Dusky Seaside Sparrow (1987)

The Dusky Seaside Sparrow is native to Florida but disappeared because of habitat destruction caused by flood control projects. The last (known) bird, Orange Band, died in 1987 and was declared officially extinct in 1990. This shows the need to preserve habitat.

Tecopa Pupfish (1981)

By 1981, this little fish (native to the hot springs of California’s Mojave Desert) had disappeared entirely because, secondarily, its habitat was modified for tourism. It was the first animal ever to be removed by choice from the endangered species list because of extinction.

Javan Tiger (1990s)

The Javan Tiger once roamed the Indonesian Java island but was wiped out, partly due to agricultural expansion and hunting. Confirmed sightings date back to the late 1990s. A 2024 study, however, has hinted at the possible existence of this species.

Heath Hen (1932)

This prairie bird was once an Eastern United States icon that suffered because of land development and overhunting. The last Heath Hen, “Booming Ben,” died alone on Martha’s Vineyard in 1932.

Quagga (1883)

The half-stripped zebra subspecies was overhunted in South Africa. The Quagga died in Amsterdam Zoo in 1883, the last one recorded.

Scimitar-Horned Oryx (2000)

An antelope that lived only in North Africa went extinct in the wild after being overhunted to extinction and habitat loss. In recent years, conservationists have been working on captive breeding for rewilding.

Bubal Hartebeest (1950s)

Bubal Hartebeest, a favorite in ancient Egyptian artwork, once roamed North Africa. However, it was decimated due to overhunting and is believed to have died out in the 1950s.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared this species extinct in 1994.

Spix’s Macaw (2000)

Spix’s Macaw (C.) was famous for inspiring the movie Rio and has been extinct in the wild since 2000 due to deforestation and illegal wildlife trade. However, the home of this jewel detached nostril has the faintest chance with reintroduction programs.

Galápagos Damsel Fish (1982)

1982-83 experienced the greatest El Nino ever recorded. It created a vast pool of hot water around the Galapagos Islands, which led to the unfortunate extinction of the remaining Damsel Fish.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute further records that the intense El Niño event of 1982-83 badly affected the island’s marine fauna and flora.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

Disclosure: For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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