WWF Scotland has identified the planet’s 10 most vulnerable species, claiming that climate change, poaching, and deforestation are leaving animals at greater risk then ever.

The charity states that if the world’s climate remains “broken” then work that has brought many species back from the brink will begin to unravel.

Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said: “We have a window of opportunity in which to step up and pull back some of the world’s most splendid animals from the brink of extinction.

“We urge everyone who wants to live in a world with tigers, polar bears and pandas to make it their New Year’s resolution to help save these amazing and threatened species before it’s too late.”

After world leaders failed to secure a legally binding agreement to tackle global warming in Copenhagen, the WWF said that Scotland’s pledge to cut emissions by 42% by 2020 was now a vital component of global efforts.

Dr Dixon said: “If our global governments continue to fail us, we must act locally.”

The message from the WWF is that, although Scotland has the “world’s leading climate bill”, it still has a duty to ensure that targets are met. It also described the Government’s green light to the new Aberdeen bypass as an example of the Government still carrying out policies on a day-to-day basis that increased the country’s carbon emissions.

The “10 to watch in 2010” list includes the polar bear, which has become a symbol of the destructive power of climate change as the earth’s ice caps have begun to melt. Many polar bear populations could be vulnerable to extinction within the next century if warming trends in the Arctic continue at the current pace.

Another species under threat is the Pacific walrus. It uses icebergs to rest and protect itself from predators as well as give birth and nurse its calves.

Last September, after many icebergs had melted, up to 200 dead walruses were spotted on the shore of the Chukchi Sea on Alaska’s north-west coast.

The Magellanic penguin and the leatherback turtle are also suffering from rising temperatures. Penguins have been forced to swim for miles to find food as fish are displaced by warming ocean currents.

There is now a shortage of male leatherback turtles because rising nest temperatures have resulted in the birth of increasing numbers of females.

Another animal on the list is the giant panda, which has been an international symbol of conservation since WWF’s founding in 1961. The 1600 remaining wild pandas face an uncertain future, with their forest habitat in China becoming fragmented, creating a number of small and isolated populations.

Poaching is also threatening the extermination of species. New studies indicate that there may be as few as 3200 tigers left in the wild, while scientists consider mountain gorillas to be critically endangered, with just 720 left outside captivity.

Next year has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations, with countries invited to take action across the 12 months to safeguard the variety of life on earth. Six events will be held in Edinburgh in January and February, aimed at ensuring the public are aware of the threats to biodiversity and what can be done to mitigate their effects.

 

The planet’s most endangered species

Tiger

WWF estimates just 3200 remain in the wild. Deforestation and poaching for body parts and skins are responsible.

 

Polar bear

Could be extinct within the next century if warming trends in Arctic continue. Land-based conflict with humans on the rise as bears become stranded due to lack of ice.

 

Pacific walrus

Arctic ice melt is causing severe habitat loss. They are on verge of being added to the Endangered Species Act in the US.

 

Magellan penguin

Last year hundreds were washed up on beaches around Rio de Janeiro because of fish being displaced by warming ocean currents.

 

Leatherback turtle

Facing extinction due to large numbers being killed accidentally by fishing fleets and high nest temperatures causing a surplus of female offspring.

 

Bluefin tuna

In high demand as sold as the highest grade of sushi. The WWF is campaigning for a temporary ban on trade in bluefin to allow numbers to recover.

 

Mountain gorilla

About 720 are still surviving in the wild. War and poaching have resulted in a severe depletion of sustainable habitats across Africa.

 

Monarch butterfly

Millions are under threat in Mexico, where the species spend winter. Extreme weather conditions and increased predators could lead to their extinction.

 

Javan rhinoceros

One of the most endangered animals in the world, with fewer than 60 left alive. Poachers kill to sell as a highly prized commodity in Asian medicine.

 

Giant panda

Just 1600 wild pandas remain and their habitat in south-west China is becoming increasingly fragmented as the country’s infrastructure develops.