6th Annual Endangered Species Day: Friday, May 18, 2012; one in four of the world's mammals are threatened with extinction

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Endangered Animal Photos For Earth Day - On Earth Day, it is important to not only recognize cute animals, but also those whose species may be in peril. For many species across the globe, extinction is a legitimate threat. A 2008 IUCN study found that one in four of the world's mammals are threatened with extinction.

Several of the species seen at above link are what the World Wildlife Fund calls "flagship species." Protection of these species "influences and supports the survival of other species" and "offers opportunities to protect whole landscapes or marine areas," according to the organization.

Conservation efforts are needed in many parts of the world, especially where poaching and habitat destruction remain prevalent. Officials in South Africa recently announced that the country is enacting new hunting rules in an attempt to cut down on poaching and illegal rhino horn trading, reports AP. A record 448 rhinos -- which are listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List -- were poached in South Africa last year and 171 have already been killed this year.

Started by the United States Senate, Endangered Species Day is the third Friday in May.

Endangered Species will survive with YOUR help!a>

Koalas Expected to be Listed as Endangered Species in Australia
The Australian Government is expected to decide on Monday whether to list the national icon koala as an endangered species, based on advice that the koala population has declined rapidly. If listed as an endangered species, koalas, a marsupial native to Australia, will get federal government protection with imposed conditions on plans including mining projects, logging operations and housing developments in their habitat areas.

Australian Environment Minister Tony Burke is expected to list koalas in South East Queensland as "endangered", and those in east New South Wales as "vulnerable", according to local media reports.

There are fewer than 80,000 koalas left in the wild, living under the combined pressures of habitat destruction and climate change, according to the Australian Koala Foundation. Koala numbers are declining due to climate change, development and from the disease chlamydia.

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Images courtesy of biophage.com, The U.S. Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), fractalenlightenment.com, RSPB, 1x57.com, Alamy / Telegraph, and Care2