Not just the Rhinos, but other significant species are currently vulnerable to extinction, and it is up to us to make a difference. I have listed three species, that I believe, are the most or critically endanged today, and how anyone can aid, they are:

1. Pickergill?s Reedfrog

It is quite easy to overlook a frog or any other species that is only 3cm long, but once you know of its existence, it?s hard not to care about its future. The Pickersgill?s reed frog is one of the most endangered amphibians in South Africa. It?s endemic to the coastline of KwaZulu-Natal where their numbers are shockingly low and vastly spread out along the coast. 

Coastal development, habitat fragmentation, and draining of water used for agricultural and urban development count as major threats to this unique amphibian's existence. Two of the wetland areas where they live are currently protected. South Africa?s very first captive breeding project for the conservation of a threatened amphibian species has included the Pickersgill?s reed frog. 

The project is run by the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has named the Pickersgill?s reed frog its flagship species for its amphibian conservation programme.

How you can help

•Become a member of the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria.

•Join the EWT and either donate money (however small the amount) to the programme!

 2. Cape vulture

Because the name 'vulture' has a negative connotation, we misunderstand and underestimate the importance of vultures. But the essence of being a vulture is to clean up, and therefore, do good. They do so by eating off carcasses, thus preventing diseases from spreading amongst the animal kingdom. Cape Vultures are only found in Southern Africa, limiting the already decreasing population. The major threats to this specie are loss of habitat, electrocution on pylons or collision with cables and unintentional poisoning.

One of the leading Cape vulture conservation organisation in South Africa is VulPro . Their aim is to primarily conserve and protect Cape Vultures, but also to raise awareness around them. They recently launched a breeding and rehabilitation project and the first captive bred vulture chick hatched on 1 September last year at the Johannesburg Zoo.

How you can help

•VulPro has a wishlist of simple items needed for smooth operations. If you?re able to donate any of these, it?ll be greatly appreciated

•Donate money to VulPro or the Endangered Wildlife Trust?s Birds of Prey programme

 

3. Cheetah

No one can deny the grace and beauty of a cheetah, this unique cat  specie (one of the fastest land animals in the world) is rapidly becoming endanged.They have been the subject of countless incredible wildlife images, with their dark-fur tear trails and faultless spotted agile bodies. 

Unfortunately, many farmers don?t feel the same because cheetahs are smart enough to know that a sheep is a much easier catch than an antelope, kudu or springbok on the run. 

Thus,  many farmers resort to poisoning, shooting or trapping the cheetah culprits. its other threat over the years, like other animals and plants, has been loss of habitat.

Two organisations that have dedicated themselves to cheetah protection and conservation in their natural habitat are:  Cheetah Outreach in Somerset West- South Africa and the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia. Both have active guard dog programmes that place Anatolian shepherd dogs on farms to chase away cheetahs and other preditors. As cheetahs aren?t aggressive animals, they?ll rather find dinner somewhere else than face an opposition. These programmes have proven to be very successful.

How you can help?

•Become a volunteer at Cheetah Outreach by emailing cheetah@intekom.co.za.

•Sponsor an item on Cheetah Conservation Fund?s wish list.

•Volunteer at Cheetah Conservation Fund.

•Make a donation to either Cheetah Outreach or Cheetah Conservation Fund.

Reference-webpage: http://www.getaway.co.za/environment/conservation-environment/10-endangered-animals-south-africa-canbodies