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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

#5

African Elephant

African Elephant

Tim Flach Report

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Jessica Hunter
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be heartbroken to lose elephants. :( Every creature on this list deserves to live, but I have a special place in my heart for elephants.

BlueJean Yogini
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"For comparison's sake, while there are warnings and alarm bells ringing about the imminent extinction of the African elephant as a result of the poaching crisis—a situation not in any way to be minimized—there are an estimated 450,000 African elephants compared to 80,000 giraffe," says Kathleen Garrigan, senior African Wildlife Foundation

Isla Reyne
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and they've done nothing to stop it. When they're all gone, the poachers will move on to something else to kill. it's so sad to know that every year there are more people and less animals. I don't want to live in that world. Humans are the worst.

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

No matter how beautiful ivory is, they die from detusking. Even if they let them live tuskless, it's still cruel and immoral.

Heidi Hediger
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To look into an elephant's eye is to see their soul looking back at you.

Fiona Matthews
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There numbers are on the increase so hopefully the species won't die out.

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

These wonderful sentient, feeling beings are being pushed to extinction - they are being killed faster than they can breed so that some human creature can have an ivory trinket. Even though China is banning the import of ivory, I can see some sectors of the community wanting it, and it will still be available - illegally. The powers that be can't stop the smuggling of drugs, so how on earth are they going to stop the smuggling of ivory. They don't have the where-with-all - and, of course, money talks. These poor animals. It breaks my heart.l

Isla Reyne
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

what kills me about this is that China FINALLY decided to phase out ivory purchase in another couple of years, by which time they'll most definitely be gone. With the poachers knowing that they only have a couple of years left, they'll be going full throttle with the tusk trade. Great going, China. Thanks for nothing.

Catherine McCarty
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe that is the saddest looking eye I have ever seen. I feel so sorry for him, and so angry about what we have done to him and his.

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

sad sad as these animals are so smart and can think. but men think if it does not look like them, it is not worth anything.

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

The elephant is loyal, they grieve when they lose a family member. They'll fight to protect each other from predators. Unfortunately, they can't fight off greedy evil men who track them on the ground and in helicopters and shoot them down with guns, just for their ivory. They are some of the most intelligent animals alive. They will do everything in their power to keep their babies alive and healthy. They have a special bond with each other, even in captivity and from different family units. They need each other and can become deeply depressed when they are kept alone with no other elephants to interact with. And some have been known to die from loneliness. And because of their intelligence people torture them with whips and hooks and chains and train them to do tricks in circuses and give rides to tourists to make money off of them. The elephant is a noble, kind, loving, beautiful and intelligent creature and deserves better than to be treated in such cruel and evil ways.

Pattie Kelly
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a majestic beauty. Please don't take them away from our earth.

Analyn Lahr
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This photo really speaks of the pain of what elephants have gone through.

Gary McCutchen
Community Member
6 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

These could be saved if only them Trump boys were allowed to kill a few more.

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#7

Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard

Tim Flach Report

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Tiari
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated 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

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#8

Cheetah With Cubs

Cheetah With Cubs

Tim Flach Report

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PurpleUnicorn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated 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

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#11

Ploughshare Tortoise

Ploughshare Tortoise

Tim Flach Report

#12

Red Panda

Red Panda

Tim Flach Report

#13

Fireflies

Fireflies

Tim Flach Report

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Hari Onago
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated 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 :(

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#14

Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus

Tim Flach Report

#15

Giant Panda

Giant Panda

Tim Flach Report

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Mama Panda
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated 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!

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#23

European Honey Bee

European Honey Bee

Tim Flach Report

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David
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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#25

Scimitar Oryx's

Scimitar Oryx's

Tim Flach Report

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PurpleUnicorn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#29

Proboscis Monkey

Proboscis Monkey

Tim Flach Report

#31

Indian Gharial

Indian Gharial

Tim Flach Report

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--
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#33

Arabian Oryx

Arabian Oryx

Tim Flach Report

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PurpleUnicorn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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#35

Beluga Sturgeon

Beluga Sturgeon

Tim Flach Report

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PurpleUnicorn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated 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

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#40

Hooded Vulture

Hooded Vulture

Tim Flach Report

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#42

Siamese Crocodile

Siamese Crocodile

Tim Flach Report

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Howard Hendricks Jr
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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