ADVERTISEMENT

For most of us, endangered animals are a far-away mystery. British photographer Tim Flach, however, has spent the last two years braving their habitats and documenting the rare animals' fragile existences. The resulting body of work, Endangered, provides us with an intimate and rare view into the beautiful lives of Earth's most threatened species and reminds us of everything we should be afraid to lose.

From species we're all familiar with (polar bear, snow leopard, cheetah) to exotic wild animals we'd only imagine in fantasy films (saiga, Philippine eagle, olm salamander), Flach presents a wide spectrum of biodiversity of endangered species, and sheds light on the unique challenges each animal faces in order to survive. Some have had their numbers cut down by habitat destruction. Others endure more gruesome ordeals, such as hunting, poaching, and being sold into the black market.

Flach has often stated that he aims to reveal in his animal pictures the relationships that connect humans to our wilder counterparts. Staring into the eyes of the animals featured in Endangered, it's heartbreaking to imagine that any one of them would ever be considered less worthy of life than one of us. Scroll down to see the most stunning pictures of animals from the series, and vote for the ones that took your breath away.

More info: Endangered, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

#1

Saiga

Saiga

Tim Flach Report

Cilantro The Fox
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like it's staring into my soul... in a good way

View more comments
RELATED:
    #3

    Philippine Eagle

    Philippine Eagle

    Tim Flach Report

    Crazy Dog Lady
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love that he can have different hairstyles for day/night.

    View more comments
    #4

    Hyacinth Macaw

    Hyacinth Macaw

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    African Elephant

    African Elephant

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Iberian Lynx

    Iberian Lynx

    Tim Flach Report

    #7

    Snow Leopard

    Snow Leopard

    Tim Flach Report

    Tiari
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Snow leopards are not longer “endangered“, btw klassisches into “vulnerable“. A heartfelt Thanks to all the conservationists around the world <3

    View more comments
    #8

    Cheetah With Cubs

    Cheetah With Cubs

    Tim Flach Report

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The first time I saw a cheetah was a female with cubs, surrounded by safari vehicles. The thrill was real but it was kinda sad too

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Ring Tailed Lemur

    Ring Tailed Lemur

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    White Bellied Pangolin

    White Bellied Pangolin

    Tim Flach Report

    #11

    Ploughshare Tortoise

    Ploughshare Tortoise

    Tim Flach Report

    mr toto
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    are they coming out of the eggs with numbers on their back? :D

    View more comments
    #12

    Red Panda

    Red Panda

    Tim Flach Report

    Pastel Ghostie
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I WANNA SLAP THAT POPSICLE OF ADORABLENESS OFF THAT ENDANGERED LIST

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Fireflies

    Fireflies

    Tim Flach Report

    Hari Onago
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There used to be so many of them when I was a kid. It's been so long since I last saw one :(

    Charm
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're lucky you ever saw one... I only see those in pictures:(

    Load More Replies...
    Gerry Higgins
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People are always surprised insecticides kill insects. ALL insects. Bees. Fireflies. Butterflies. etc

    DancingToMyself
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Honey bees are in ok position right now. They are finally started to use some insecticide which isn't being bad for honey bees.

    Load More Replies...
    Debbie DuFresne
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember seeing them in large numbers as a child......but I cant remember the last time I saw them........I miss them.......we need to bring them back.......what is this world coming to that we are loosing fireflies too.

    Lee from Phoenix
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of the few things I miss from my childhood in Chicago. Glad to see the comments that they still exist in parts of the country.

    Joy Gerred
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wait I didn't know they were endangered. they're awesome.

    Emily Wilkie
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fireflies are the best part of a summer night. I wish there were more, like before.

    Tammy Chapman
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember chasing them when I was young. But I haven't seen any in a LONG time.

    Diana Hockley
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man-made pollution has murdered these exquisite insects. Marvellous, aren't we?

    Poor unfortunate soul
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m actually surprised fire flies are on here, where I live there are very many of them. But every animal deserves to be conserved

    Sable miner
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Still see plenty here in Dallas - all Sunmer.

    Sable miner
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Summer. Oh and we call them lightning bugs!

    Load More Replies...
    DancingToMyself
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have A LOT of fireflies, in the summer time. (Europe, Adriatic Sea)

    Warren Litsinger
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They make a summer evening magical... but they're pretty much locally extinct now, where I grew up.

    Mary-Ann Roach
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They can still be found in the mid to southern US but I remember when southern Ontario had so very many of them. Not now :(

    Di Campbell
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm afraid they're going the way of amphibians and some species of bats!! Their habitat is being destroyed by us, so their food supply is gone and their breeding sites too and they become more vulnerable to disease.

    Sarah Goben
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are everywhere like that where I live here in Missouri

    Heaven Scott
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    nooooooooooooooooo........my childhood....i'm 13 and i still catch them......

    Anaka Blackwood
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No... I WILL BE RUINED IF THESE ARE GONE!!

    Laura Causey
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ow there used to be so many it was awesome 30 yrs ago. In Maryland where I live, still see them but few and far between. I guess because ppl don't like mosguitos and they spray.

    Garth Davis
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see thousands of fireflies on my property every summer in my orchard. It almost looks like you are walking through a stary night sky

    7j6eqi
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Last year I saw them for the first time in my life. It was absolutely mesmerizing! We were in the countryside between Florence and Pisa, Italy.

    Laura Perkinson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    leave the leaves on the ground. that is where they lay their eggs and people burn them. for 2 years we have left all the leaves ( and we have lots) and this Spring I was walking by one of our bushes and there must have been 50 butterflies all fly up at once! it was a amazing sight.

    Judy Miner
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Haven't seen these in years. Remember catching them as a kid.

    Justin Helmcamp
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think fireflys and lightning bugs are different.

    Gillian Black
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we dont have them here in NZ but have seen them so lovely, but not in a jar

    Diane Bergman
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see them in my yard, Connecticut

    Elizabeth Mitchell
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same with Christmas beetles in Australia. As a kid, they were everywhere. It’s been years since I saw one.

    R john
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I remember holding them in rubber plantations when I was a kid. When I went back my grandma's place after 5 years there were hardly any :(

    Kristi Kelly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously!? I live in Michigan. Fireflies are everywhere! No way they're "endangered".But I do love the picture.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Hippopotamus

    Hippopotamus

    Tim Flach Report

    Desiré Yen
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No way I never knew hippos are becoming extinct 😱 nooooo!

    View more comments
    #15

    Giant Panda

    Giant Panda

    Tim Flach Report

    Mama Panda
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok I am going to move to where ever these animals reside and buy a huge piece of land and keep them all safe with me!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Golden Snub Nosed Monkey

    Golden Snub Nosed Monkey

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #19

    Sea Angels

    Sea Angels

    Tim Flach Report

    #20

    Shoebill

    Shoebill

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Northern White Rhinoceros

    Northern White Rhinoceros

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #23

    European Honey Bee

    European Honey Bee

    Tim Flach Report

    David
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Read an article not long ago that showed the numbers on honeybees is actually making a substantial comeback. This is a GOOD thing... No bees, no food.

    View more comments
    #24

    Egyptian Vulture

    Egyptian Vulture

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #25

    Scimitar Oryx's

    Scimitar Oryx's

    Tim Flach Report

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They were extinct in the wild but have been successfully captive bred and reintroduced.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    Western Lowland Gorillas

    Western Lowland Gorillas

    Tim Flach Report

    #27

    Scallope Hammerhead Aggregation

    Scallope Hammerhead Aggregation

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #28

    Blue Throated Macaw

    Blue Throated Macaw

    Tim Flach Report

    #29

    Proboscis Monkey

    Proboscis Monkey

    Tim Flach Report

    Michael Weinberg
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That looks like Trump. Nevermind, that's an insult to this Monkey.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #30

    Kaiser's Newt

    Kaiser's Newt

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #31

    Indian Gharial

    Indian Gharial

    Tim Flach Report

    --
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    named for the k**b on its snout - ghara as in "mud pot"

    View more comments
    #32

    Yellow-Eyed Tree Frog

    Yellow-Eyed Tree Frog

    Tim Flach Report

    #33

    Arabian Oryx

    Arabian Oryx

    Tim Flach Report

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The scimitar-horned oryx. They were extinct in the wild but captive breeding programmes have been successful enough to reintroduce them in selected protected locations.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #35

    Beluga Sturgeon

    Beluga Sturgeon

    Tim Flach Report

    PurpleUnicorn
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Due to our appetite for caviar, pregnant females are killed for their eggs - nothing left to grow up

    View more comments
    #37

    Yunan Snub Nosed Monkey

    Yunan Snub Nosed Monkey

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #38

    Smooth Fronted Cayman

    Smooth Fronted Cayman

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #39

    Yellow Eyed Tree Frog Eggs

    Yellow Eyed Tree Frog Eggs

    Tim Flach Report

    #40

    Hooded Vulture

    Hooded Vulture

    Tim Flach Report

    Dianne Wilson
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw a bird like this one in the NT up near Kakadu

    View more comments
    #41

    Olm Salamander

    Olm Salamander

    Tim Flach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    Siamese Crocodile

    Siamese Crocodile

    Tim Flach Report

    Howard Hendricks Jr
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought crocodile farms in Thailand had bred plenty of these for repopulating the species.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #43

    Partula Snails

    Partula Snails

    Tim Flach Report