(2009) MiNr. 4705 - 4708 ** - France - Extinct and endangered animals

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Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) - symbol of the Chinese wilderness

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is endemic to the mountainous regions of central China, where it inhabits bamboo forests at altitudes of 1,500-3,000 m. Although it is a carnivore, its diet consists of 99% bamboo.

A characteristic feature of the panda is the "sixth finger", a reshaped sesamoid bone that allows efficient manipulation of bamboo. The strong jaws and powerful molars are adapted to crushing it.

Pandas spend most of the day eating bamboo (12-38 kg per day) and resting. They are excellent climbers and swimmers. Females are only fertile for 1-3 days a year, and the young are born blind and weigh around 100g.

Thanks to conservation programs, the panda's status was changed from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2016. As a flagship species, it helps protect the ecosystems in which it lives, along with other rare species.

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White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) - the largest representative of the rhinoceros

The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is the largest species of rhinoceros and the second largest land mammal after the elephant. It can reach a body length of up to 4 metres and a weight of between 1 800 and 2 500 kg. Its distinctive feature is the two horns on its head, the front one being significantly longer and can grow up to 150 cm in length.

The species is divided into two subspecies, the northern (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and the southern (Ceratotherium simum simum). The northern subspecies is critically endangered, with the last two individuals remaining in captivity. The southern subspecies is more widespread and its population has stabilised thanks to conservation measures.

The white rhinoceros primarily inhabits the grassy savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a herbivore that feeds mainly on short grass. It has large, broad lips adapted for grazing. Although its name implies a white colour, its skin is actually grey. The term "white" probably comes from a mistranslation of the Afrikaans word wyd, which means "wide" and refers to the shape of its mouth.

Rhinoceroses are social animals, often moving in small groups. They are territorial, with males marking their territories with urine and dung piles. Their natural predators are large carnivores, but their biggest threat remains poaching for their horns, which are prized on the black market.

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Turochs (Aurochs, Bos primigenius) wild pratur

Theurochs (Aurochs, Bos primigenius) was a wild pratur, an ancestor of today's cattle, that inhabited large areas of Europe, Asia and North Africa. It was one of the largest herbivores of its time, growing up to 180 cm tall at the withers and weighing over a tonne. It was characterised by massive, forward-curving horns and a robust body structure adapted to life in forest and steppe ecosystems.

Fossil finds and historical records show that praetors were hunted as early as the Stone Age, which, along with the decline of their natural habitat, led to their gradual extinction. Today there are attempts to breed back breeds resembling the original turacos, such as the Heck's cattle.

Despite their extinction, the genetic legacy of the Pratur remains part of modern cattle, which still carry some of their characteristics, such as resistance to adverse conditions and certain physical traits.

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California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) - the largest flying bird in North America

The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is one of the largest flying birds in North America with a wingspan of up to 3 metres. This member of the condor family used to inhabit large areas of the western USA, but today it is found only in protected areas of California, Arizona, Utah and Mexico.

This species is a scavenger that feeds primarily on the carcasses of large mammals such as deer or cattle. It has a characteristic bald head which helps it maintain hygiene when eating its food. Thanks to its powerful wings, it can glide effortlessly on air currents and fly tens of kilometres a day.

In the 20th century, the population of California condors declined dramatically due to lead shot poisoning, food loss and destruction of natural habitat. By the 1980s, there were fewer than 30 individuals left in the world. Thanks to an intensive rescue program and artificial breeding, their numbers have increased to several hundred, yet they remain one of the most endangered bird species.

Reproduction is very slow - a female lays only one egg every two years. The chicks hatch after about 55 days of incubation and the parents care for them for up to two years. This long development time and low reproductive capacity is another factor threatening the species.

The California condor is an example of successful collaboration between conservation organizations, zoos and government agencies. Yet its future remains uncertain and depends on continued protection and monitoring of populations.