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

#4

Hyacinth Macaw

Hyacinth Macaw

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
Barb Logan
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most species of macaws are listed as endangered, thanks to the pet trade and the poachers. At least 8 have already become extinct.

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

My mother in-law hand raised a hyacinth a few years ago. Treated it and all of her exotic birds like accessories really. This thing followed her around the the house and thought she was it's mother. Like all accessories she got bored and sold all her birds. I can only imagine the pure loss and pain that hyacinth felt having it's mother basically throw it away.

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

Now nothing more needs to be said about this bird. So much beauty and so much sadness if gone forever.

Nikola Kesic
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that last one passed away, and officially this breed has already extinct 😥

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

What a beautiful bird - and no doubt its sheer beauty is its downfall - some idiot with more money than sense won't rest untill they have one stuffed on their mantle piece!!

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

actually these will probably survive. there are many of them in the wild plus in homes all over the world plus zoos. a beautiful large parrot loved by many

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

They're some in the pet shop near me. They lose feathers because of stress and look so sad in a small window room in the petshop.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Cheetah With Cubs

Cheetah With Cubs

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#11

Ploughshare Tortoise

Ploughshare Tortoise

Tim Flach Report

#12

Red Panda

Red Panda

Tim Flach Report

#13

Fireflies

Fireflies

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
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 :(

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus

Tim Flach Report

#15

Giant Panda

Giant Panda

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#23

European Honey Bee

European Honey Bee

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

Scimitar Oryx's

Scimitar Oryx's

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Proboscis Monkey

Proboscis Monkey

Tim Flach Report

#31

Indian Gharial

Indian Gharial

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
--
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"

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#33

Arabian Oryx

Arabian Oryx

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Beluga Sturgeon

Beluga Sturgeon

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Hooded Vulture

Hooded Vulture

Tim Flach Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#42

Siamese Crocodile

Siamese Crocodile

Tim Flach Report

Add photo comments
POST
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu