World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sumatran-rhino-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Sumatran Rhino, the World's Hairiest Rhino.

## Briefing
12 amazing facts about the Sumatran rhino The Sumatran rhino ( Dicerorhinus sumatrensis ) is one of the strangest and most endangered large mammals on Earth — a hairy, two-horned forest dweller that looks like it walked straight out of the Ice Age. Here are twelve facts that capture just how remarkable, and how fragile, this species really is. For the full picture, see our Sumatran rhino species guide . 1. It is the smallest rhino alive Standing roughly 112–145 cm at the shoulder and weighing about 500–1,000 kg, it is dwarfed by the white rhino, which can top 2,000 kg. 2. It is the hairiest rhino on Earth Its reddish-brown body is patchily covered in coarse hair — a feature no other living rhino shares, earning it the nickname the "hairy rhino." 3. It is the only two-horned Asian rhino The Javan and greater one-horned rhinos carry a single horn; the Sumatran rhino has two, like its African cousins. 4. It is a living link to the Ice Age It is the closest living relative of the extinct woolly rhinoceros and the last surviving member of the genus Dicerorhinus . 5. Fewer than about 50 remain The most recent IUCN-cited field estimate puts the wild population at roughly 34–47 animals, making it one of the rarest large mammals alive. 6. It is surprisingly vocal Sumatran rhinos communicate with whistles, squeaks and other sounds — far chattier than their larger, quieter relatives. 7. It eats from 100+ plant species As a browser it feeds on saplings, leaves, twigs, fruit and bark, consuming tens of kilograms of vegetation a day. 8. It loves a mud bath Daily wallowing cools the rhino and coats its skin to protect it from insects and sunburn. 9. It is a strong swimmer and climber Despite its bulk, it navigates steep, dense rainforest and crosses rivers with ease. 10. Calves are rare and slow to arrive After a 15–16 month gestation, a female usually produces just one calf every three to four years. 11. It is shy, not dangerous Solitary and elusive, it avoids people whenever it can — humans threaten it far more than it threatens us. 12. Captive births offer real hope A managed breeding programme in Indonesia has produced several hard-won calves, each one significant for a species this scarce. WARN helps fund the Indonesian partner teams protecting and breeding the last of these rhinos. If their story moves you, you can support the Rhino Appeal . Read the full Sumatran rhinoceros wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sumatran-rhino-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Sumatran Rhino, the World's Hairiest Rhino.

## Why is the Sumatran rhino called the hairy rhino?
Unlike any other living rhino, its reddish-brown body is patchily covered in coarse hair — a trait that links it visually to its Ice Age ancestor, the woolly rhinoceros.

## How many Sumatran rhinos are left?
Fewer than about 50. The most recent IUCN-cited field estimate puts the wild population at roughly 34–47 individuals, all in fragmented forests of Indonesia.

## Is the Sumatran rhino related to the woolly rhino?
Yes. It is the closest living relative of the extinct woolly rhinoceros and the sole surviving member of the genus Dicerorhinus.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sumatran-rhino-how-big-size-weight-speed): How Big Is a Sumatran Rhino? Size, Weight and Lifespan Explained.

## Summary
A Sumatran rhino is the smallest living rhino, standing about 112–145 cm at the shoulder, measuring 2.4–3.2 m long, and weighing roughly 500–1,000 kg (most near 700–800 kg); it lives about 35–40 years.

## Excerpt
How big, heavy and long-lived is the Sumatran rhino? Here are the numbers on the smallest rhinoceros on Earth, with how it compares to its giant cousins.

## Takeaway
The Sumatran rhino stands about 112–145 cm at the shoulder and 2.4–3.2 m in head-and-body length.

## Takeaway
It weighs roughly 500–1,000 kg (most near 700–800 kg) — the smallest of all living rhinos.

## Takeaway
A white rhino can be more than twice as heavy, exceeding 2,000 kg.

## Takeaway
Sumatran rhinos live around 35–40 years, occasionally up to about 45.

## Takeaway
Females produce just one calf every 3–4 years after a 15–16 month gestation.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sumatran-rhino-how-big-size-weight-speed): How Big Is a Sumatran Rhino? Size, Weight and Lifespan Explained.

## Briefing
How big is a Sumatran rhino? The Sumatran rhino is the smallest living rhinoceros — but "small" is relative when you are still talking about a half-tonne mammal. Here are the key numbers, plus how it stacks up against its much larger relatives. For the full profile, visit our Sumatran rhino species guide . Height and length A Sumatran rhino stands about 112–145 cm at the shoulder — roughly chest-height to an adult human — and measures around 2.4–3.2 m in head-and-body length. That compact build helps it slip through dense rainforest where larger rhinos simply could not go. Weight Adults weigh roughly 500–1,000 kg, with most animals near 700–800 kg. To put that in perspective, a southern white rhino can exceed 2,000 kg — more than twice as heavy — so the Sumatran rhino really is the lightweight of the family. How fast and strong is it? Despite its bulk, the Sumatran rhino is agile: it is a capable swimmer and can climb steep, slippery forest terrain that would defeat a heavier animal. Rhinos in general can break into a fast run over short distances, but the Sumatran rhino's real talents are stealth and surefootedness rather than raw speed. How long does a Sumatran rhino live? In the wild and under care, Sumatran rhinos live roughly 35–40 years, with some sources citing up to about 45. Females typically produce a single calf every three to four years after a 15–16 month gestation — a slow reproductive rate that makes every birth precious for a species numbering fewer than about 50. Why its small size matters for conservation Being a forest specialist, the Sumatran rhino depends on intact lowland rainforest. As that habitat is cleared and fragmented, the last animals become isolated in tiny pockets and rarely meet to breed. Size is part of what makes this rhino special — and part of what makes protecting its shrinking forest home so urgent. WARN channels support to the Indonesian rangers and veterinarians safeguarding these rhinos; you can quietly back that effort through the Rhino Appeal if you wish. Read the full Sumatran rhinoceros wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sumatran-rhino-how-big-size-weight-speed): How Big Is a Sumatran Rhino? Size, Weight and Lifespan Explained.

## How much does a Sumatran rhino weigh?
Adults weigh roughly 500–1,000 kg, with most animals around 700–800 kg — making it the smallest and lightest of the living rhinos.

## How tall is a Sumatran rhino?
It stands about 112–145 cm at the shoulder, roughly chest-height to an adult human, and measures about 2.4–3.2 m in head-and-body length.

## How long do Sumatran rhinos live?
They live roughly 35–40 years, with some sources citing up to about 45 years.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sumatran-rhino-why-endangered-and-hope): Why Are Sumatran Rhinos Endangered — and What's Being Done to Save Them.

## Summary
Sumatran rhinos are Critically Endangered — fewer than about 50 (an estimated 34–47) remain — because decades of poaching and rainforest loss have isolated the survivors so they rarely meet to breed; recovery now depends on protecting wild rhinos and a managed breeding programme in Indonesia.

## Excerpt
With fewer than about 50 left, the Sumatran rhino is sliding toward extinction. Here's why — and why a breeding programme in Indonesia offers real hope.

## Takeaway
The Sumatran rhino is Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2020), with an estimated 34–47 left in the wild.

## Takeaway
Decades of poaching for horn cut the population by more than 80%.

## Takeaway
Habitat loss has isolated the survivors, so solitary rhinos rarely meet to breed.

## Takeaway
Recovery relies on protecting wild rhinos and a managed captive-breeding programme in Indonesia.

## Takeaway
Recent calves show the species can still reproduce, offering cautious hope.

## Briefing
Why are Sumatran rhinos endangered? The Sumatran rhino is Critically Endangered (IUCN, assessed 2020), with fewer than about 50 animals — an estimated 34–47 — surviving in fragmented forests of Indonesia. Its decline is one of the steepest of any large mammal, and the reasons are now well understood. For the full species background, see our Sumatran rhino species guide . A legacy of poaching For decades, relentless poaching for rhino horn drove the population down by more than 80%. Although poaching pressure has eased in places, it gutted the species and left only scattered survivors. Habitat loss and fragmentation The clearing of lowland rainforest for plantations, roads and settlement has carved the remaining forest into isolated pockets. The few rhinos left are now separated by landscapes they cannot safely cross. The hidden crisis: too few mates This is the threat that now matters most. Sumatran rhinos are naturally solitary and live at low density, so when groups become tiny and isolated, individuals simply stop meeting one another. Females that go too long without breeding can develop reproductive problems, compounding the decline — a quiet extinction by loneliness as much as by hunting. What's being done to save them Recovery now rests on two efforts working together. First, protecting and monitoring the last wild rhinos through anti-poaching patrols and habitat protection. Second, bringing isolated animals into a managed breeding programme so they can reproduce safely under expert care. In Indonesia, a dedicated sanctuary now cares for a small group of rhinos, and conservationists report the breeding programme is in its strongest position yet, with several proven breeding pairs and a string of hard-won calves born in recent years. Is there hope for the Sumatran rhino? Yes — cautiously. Every birth matters enormously when so few animals exist, and recent successes show the species can still reproduce when the right animals are brought together and supported. The work is slow, expensive and carried out by skilled local rangers, veterinarians and sanctuary staff in remote forest. Indonesia is one of WARN's focus countries, and we help fund those frontline partner teams rather than running operations ourselves. If you would like to help keep rangers in the field, you can support the Rhino Appeal or visit /donate . Read the full Sumatran rhinoceros wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sumatran-rhino-why-endangered-and-hope): Why Are Sumatran Rhinos Endangered — and What's Being Done to Save Them.

## Why are Sumatran rhinos so endangered?
Decades of poaching for horn cut the population by more than 80%, and rainforest loss has fragmented the survivors into tiny isolated pockets. Because the rhinos are solitary and now so few, they rarely encounter mates, so breeding in the wild has nearly stalled.

## How many Sumatran rhinos are left in 2026?
Fewer than about 50. The most recent IUCN-cited field estimate is roughly 34–47 individuals across fragmented forests in Indonesia, and the wild population has not been rising.

## Can the Sumatran rhino still be saved?
There is cautious hope. A managed breeding programme in Indonesia has produced several recent calves and now has multiple proven breeding pairs, while anti-poaching patrols protect the last wild animals.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/capybara-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Capybara, the World's Largest Rodent.

## Summary
The capybara is the world's largest rodent, a semi-aquatic South American herbivore that can weigh up to about 65 kg, stay underwater for roughly five minutes, and lives in social groups near water.

## Excerpt
From holding its breath underwater to napping with just its nose above the surface, here are 12 surprising, well-sourced facts about the gentle giant of South America's wetlands.

## Takeaway
The capybara is the world's largest rodent, reaching about 1.3 m long and up to roughly 65 kg.

## Takeaway
It is semi-aquatic and can stay submerged for up to about five minutes, even sleeping with just its nose above water.

## Takeaway
Capybaras are social herbivores that live in groups of around 10-20 and graze on grasses and aquatic plants.

## Takeaway
Their incisors grow continuously and they re-ingest droppings to extract more nutrients from fibrous plants.

## Takeaway
The species is Least Concern overall but faces local pressure from hunting, wetland loss and the pet trade.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/capybara-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Capybara, the World's Largest Rodent.

## Briefing
The friendliest giant in the rodent world The capybara ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ) looks like a guinea pig that never stopped growing, and in a sense that is exactly what it is. This barrel-bodied, water-loving mammal is the largest living rodent on Earth, and its calm temperament has turned it into one of the internet's most beloved animals. Behind the memes, though, is a genuinely remarkable wetland specialist. Here are twelve facts worth knowing. 12 facts about the capybara It is the world's heaviest rodent. Large adults reach about 1.3 metres (over 4 feet) in body length and can weigh up to roughly 65 kilograms (about 140 pounds). It is semi-aquatic. Partially webbed feet make the capybara a strong, confident swimmer that spends much of its day in or beside water. It can vanish underwater. A capybara can stay fully submerged for up to about five minutes to hide from predators such as jaguars, caimans and anacondas. It sleeps in the water. It can doze with only its nose poking above the surface, like a furry snorkel. Its face is built for water. Eyes, ears and nostrils all sit high on the head, so it can stay alert while almost fully submerged. Its teeth never stop growing. Like other rodents, the capybara has continuously growing incisors that are worn down by a lifetime of grazing on tough grasses. It is a committed vegetarian. The diet is grasses and aquatic plants, plus fruit and bark, and it can be remarkably selective about which grass species it crops. It eats its own droppings. Capybaras practise coprophagy, re-ingesting their dung to squeeze more nutrients from fibrous plant matter, a trick shared with rabbits. It is highly social. Herds typically number around 10 to 20 animals, occasionally swelling to 50 or more where water concentrates in the dry season. It is a chatterbox. Capybaras communicate with barks, whistles, purrs and clicks to keep the group coordinated. Its babies hit the ground running. Pups are born well-developed, eyes open, and can walk, swim and nibble plants within hours. It has a tiny cousin. A separate, smaller species, the lesser capybara, lives west of the Andes, but the familiar capybara is the giant of the genus. Why these gentle giants still need watching The capybara is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern, with a stable overall population, but that headline hides local pressure from hunting for meat and hide, wetland drainage, and capture for the exotic-pet trade. You can read the full profile in our capybara species guide . Because two of the wetland regions where local partners work, in Brazil and Colombia, sit inside the capybara's range, protecting its habitat also protects the fish, birds and caimans that share it. If you would like to help, you can support wetland habitat protection . Read the full Capybara wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/capybara-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Capybara, the World's Largest Rodent.

## What is the most surprising fact about capybaras?
Many people are surprised that capybaras can stay fully submerged underwater for up to about five minutes to hide from predators, and can even sleep in water with only their nose above the surface.

## Are capybaras rodents?
Yes. The capybara is a true rodent in the family Caviidae, related to guinea pigs, and it is the largest living rodent on Earth.

## Why do capybaras eat their own poop?
Capybaras practise coprophagy, re-ingesting their droppings to extract more nutrients from tough, fibrous grasses, a digestive strategy also used by rabbits.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/capybara-how-big-and-how-heavy): How Big Is a Capybara? Size, Weight and How It Swims.

## Summary
A large adult capybara reaches about 1.3 metres (over 4 feet) in body length and can weigh up to roughly 65 kilograms (about 140 pounds), making it the largest and heaviest rodent in the world.

## Excerpt
A capybara can reach the size of a large dog and the weight of an adult human. Here is how big the world's largest rodent really gets, with verified measurements.

## Takeaway
A large adult capybara reaches about 1.3 m (over 4 ft) long and up to roughly 65 kg (about 140 lb).

## Takeaway
That makes it the heaviest rodent in the world, far larger than the next-biggest rodents.

## Takeaway
Typical adults weigh about 35-66 kg and stand around 50-62 cm at the shoulder.

## Takeaway
Its size and webbed feet make it a strong swimmer that can stay underwater for about five minutes.

## Takeaway
Despite their bulk, capybaras are calm herbivores and rarely a danger to people.

## Briefing
How big is a capybara? A large adult capybara reaches about 1.3 metres (over 4 feet) in body length and can weigh up to roughly 65 kilograms (about 140 pounds), which makes it the heaviest rodent in the world. In practical terms, a big capybara stands at roughly knee to mid-thigh height on an adult human, is about as long as a Labrador, and can weigh as much as a grown person. There is no other rodent close to it in size. Typical measurements Body length: around 106-134 cm (up to about 1.3 m). Shoulder height: roughly 50-62 cm. Weight: commonly about 35-66 kg (77-146 lb), with females often a little heavier than males. Tail: essentially none, just a small vestigial stub. For comparison, the next-largest rodents, such as the beaver, top out far lighter, which is why the capybara wears the "world's largest rodent" crown without contest. Built like a swimmer The capybara's bulk is not just for show. Its barrel-shaped body, short powerful legs and partially webbed feet make it a strong swimmer that can stay submerged for up to about five minutes to escape predators. Eyes, ears and nostrils sit high on the head so it can keep watch while almost fully underwater, and it can even sleep afloat with just its nostrils breaking the surface. That semi-aquatic build is the whole point of the animal's size and shape. Does size make them dangerous? Despite being as heavy as a person, capybaras are calm, non-aggressive herbivores that pose little threat to people. Their size matters most for swimming, grazing and surviving predators, not for confrontation. You can find full measurements, lifespan and range in our capybara species guide . Keeping the wetlands these giants depend on intact is the best way to protect them, and you can help fund habitat protection in their home range across Brazil and Colombia. Read the full Capybara wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/capybara-how-big-and-how-heavy): How Big Is a Capybara? Size, Weight and How It Swims.

## How big is a capybara compared to a human?
A large capybara stands roughly knee to mid-thigh height on an adult and can weigh as much as a grown person, up to about 65 kg, but it is much longer and lower-bodied than a human.

## What is the biggest rodent in the world?
The capybara is the biggest rodent in the world, reaching about 1.3 m in length and up to roughly 65 kg, well ahead of the next-largest rodents such as the beaver.

## How long can a capybara stay underwater?
A capybara can stay fully submerged for up to about five minutes, using its webbed feet to swim and its high-set eyes and nostrils to stay alert near the surface.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/capybara-are-they-dangerous-to-humans): Are Capybaras Dangerous to Humans? What the Science Says.

## Summary
Capybaras are generally calm, non-aggressive herbivores that rarely threaten people, but as large wild rodents with long incisors they can bite if cornered, handled or provoked.

## Excerpt
Capybaras are famously chilled out, but they are still large wild rodents with formidable teeth. Here is an honest, sourced look at whether they pose any risk to people.

## Takeaway
Capybaras are generally calm, non-aggressive herbivores and rarely a danger to people.

## Takeaway
They are escape-first animals that flee into water rather than confront threats.

## Takeaway
They can still bite with their large incisors if cornered, handled, or provoked.

## Takeaway
Extra caution is wise around dominant males and mothers protecting pups.

## Takeaway
The bigger issue is human pressure on capybaras: hunting, wetland loss and the pet trade.

## Briefing
Are capybaras dangerous to humans? For the most part, no. Capybaras are calm, non-aggressive herbivores that rarely pose a threat to people. They are best known for their placid temperament, often seen lounging beside birds, turtles and even other mammals that perch on them. That said, a capybara is still a large wild animal weighing up to roughly 65 kilograms, equipped with long, continuously growing incisors, and like any wild creature it can bite if it feels cornered, handled or provoked. Why they are usually so docile Capybaras are grazing animals built for fleeing rather than fighting. Their defence against jaguars, caimans and anacondas is to bolt into the water and disappear, staying submerged for up to about five minutes, not to stand and confront a threat. Socially, they live in cooperative groups of around 10 to 20 animals where calm coexistence is the norm. That deep-rooted, escape-first temperament is why they so rarely show aggression toward people. When a capybara might bite If cornered or trapped with no escape route to water. If handled or restrained, especially a wild or semi-wild animal. If a dominant male feels its group or territory is challenged. If a mother is protecting young pups. Their incisors are large and sharp enough to deliver a serious wound, so wild capybaras should be observed at a respectful distance and never cornered or fed by hand. The bigger picture The real story with capybaras is not danger to humans but pressure from humans: they are hunted for meat and hide, lose wetland habitat to agriculture, and are taken for the exotic-pet trade, even though they are wild animals poorly suited to life as pets. For full details on behaviour, range and conservation, see our capybara species guide . Protecting the wetlands they live in, including partner-supported sites in Brazil and Colombia, is the most effective way to keep these gentle giants thriving, and you can support that habitat work if you would like to help. Read the full Capybara wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/capybara-are-they-dangerous-to-humans): Are Capybaras Dangerous to Humans? What the Science Says.

## Do capybaras attack humans?
Capybara attacks on humans are very rare. They are docile grazers that flee into water when threatened, but they can bite defensively if cornered, restrained or protecting young.

## Are capybaras good pets?
Capybaras are wild, semi-aquatic herd animals with complex needs for water, space and companionship, and they are poorly suited to life as pets. Many in the pet trade end up needing rescue or rehabilitation.

## How strong is a capybara's bite?
A capybara has large, continuously growing incisors capable of inflicting a serious wound, which is why wild animals should never be cornered or hand-fed even though they are usually placid.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/borneo-pygmy-elephant-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About the Borneo Pygmy Elephant, the World's Smallest Elephant.

## Summary
The Borneo pygmy elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) is the world's smallest elephant subspecies, found only on Borneo; it stands about 2.5 to 3 metres tall, has been isolated on the island for some 300,000 years, and was listed as Endangered by the IUCN in 2024 with around 1,000 left.

## Excerpt
From tails that drag the ground to a 300,000-year island exile, here are ten true facts about the gentle, round-bellied dwarf elephant found only on Borneo.

## Takeaway
The Borneo pygmy elephant is the smallest elephant subspecies on Earth, standing about 2.5 to 3 metres at the shoulder.

## Takeaway
It has been genetically isolated on Borneo for around 300,000 years, evolving bigger ears, a longer tail and straighter tusks.

## Takeaway
Only about 1,000 remain, with roughly 400 breeding adults, almost all in Sabah, Malaysia (IUCN, 2024).

## Takeaway
It is a bulk herbivore that can eat more than 100 kg of plants a day and has one of the longest pregnancies of any land animal at about 22 months.

## Takeaway
Listed as Endangered by the IUCN in 2024 and protected under CITES Appendix I.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/borneo-pygmy-elephant-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About the Borneo Pygmy Elephant, the World's Smallest Elephant.

## Briefing
The gentle giant that history shrank The Borneo pygmy elephant is the smallest elephant on the planet, a rounder, sweeter-faced cousin of the mainland Asian elephant that lives only on one tropical island. It is also one of the most threatened, with the IUCN listing it as Endangered in 2024. Here are ten things worth knowing about this remarkable animal, all grounded in our full Borneo pygmy elephant species guide . 1. It really is the smallest elephant alive Adults stand roughly 2.5 to 3 metres (about 8 to 10 feet) at the shoulder, making this the smallest of all elephant subspecies and noticeably more compact than its mainland relatives. 2. It has been an island castaway for 300,000 years DNA studies show the population became genetically isolated on Borneo hundreds of thousands of years ago, long enough to evolve into a distinct, dwarfed form. 3. Its tail can almost touch the ground One of its quirkiest features is an unusually long tail that sometimes drags as the animal walks, alongside proportionally bigger ears and straighter tusks than other Asian elephants. 4. It lives in only one place on Earth Almost the entire population is in the Malaysian state of Sabah in north-eastern Borneo, with a small group across the border in Indonesia's Kalimantan. 5. There are only about 1,000 left The IUCN's 2024 assessment estimates roughly 1,000 individuals, of which only about 400 are breeding adults. 6. Herds are run by grandmothers Family herds are led by the oldest female, the matriarch, who holds the group's memory of feeding grounds and water sources. 7. It eats more than 100 kg of plants a day A bulk herbivore, it grazes on grasses and strips leaves, bark, roots, shoots and wild fruit; a single adult Asian elephant can consume well over 100 kilograms of vegetation daily. 8. Its pregnancies are among the longest on land Gestation lasts about 22 months, one of the longest of any land mammal, and almost always produces a single calf raised by the whole herd. 9. It has a reputation for being placid Keepers and field researchers often describe this subspecies as relatively calm and tolerant, though, like any wild elephant, a startled mother with a calf deserves a wide berth. 10. It is internationally protected As an Asian elephant it sits on CITES Appendix I, which bans commercial international trade in the animal or its parts. With so few left, awareness matters. You can read more in the full guide , or learn how the network supports frontline teams through the Elephant Appeal . Read the full Borneo elephant wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/borneo-pygmy-elephant-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About the Borneo Pygmy Elephant, the World's Smallest Elephant.

## What makes the Borneo pygmy elephant special?
It is the smallest elephant subspecies in the world and lives only on Borneo. Isolated on the island for around 300,000 years, it evolved a smaller, rounder body with proportionally larger ears, a longer tail and straighter tusks than mainland Asian elephants.

## How many Borneo pygmy elephants are left in the world?
About 1,000 remain according to the IUCN's 2024 assessment, of which roughly 400 are breeding adults. Almost all live in Sabah, Malaysia, with a small population in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

## Are Borneo pygmy elephants friendly?
They are often described as more placid than other elephants, but they are still large wild animals. Most serious conflict happens when habitat loss forces elephants and people into the same space, not because the elephants are naturally aggressive.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/borneo-pygmy-elephant-how-big-size-explained): How Big Is a Borneo Pygmy Elephant? The World's Smallest Elephant, Sized Up.

## Summary
A Borneo pygmy elephant stands about 2.5 to 3 metres (8 to 10 feet) tall at the shoulder, making it the smallest elephant subspecies in the world, though large bulls can still weigh roughly 5,000 kg.

## Excerpt
Despite the name, a pygmy elephant still weighs several tonnes. Here is exactly how tall, how heavy and how much smaller this island dwarf is than its mainland cousins.

## Takeaway
Borneo pygmy elephants stand about 2.5 to 3 metres (8 to 10 feet) at the shoulder, the smallest of any elephant subspecies.

## Takeaway
They are still heavy: large bulls can weigh roughly 5,000 kg, several tonnes.

## Takeaway
Their small size is a result of island isolation on Borneo for around 300,000 years.

## Takeaway
They are rounder and more compact than mainland Asian elephants, with proportionally larger ears and a longer tail.

## Takeaway
Being small has not protected them: only about 1,000 remain, and the IUCN listed them as Endangered in 2024.

## Briefing
Small for an elephant, still a giant for Borneo "Pygmy" is doing a lot of work in this animal's name. The Borneo pygmy elephant is genuinely the smallest elephant subspecies in the world, yet it is still the largest land mammal anywhere on the island of Borneo. Here is what its real measurements look like, drawn from our Borneo pygmy elephant guide . How tall is it at the shoulder? Adults generally stand around 2.5 to 3 metres tall at the shoulder, roughly 8 to 10 feet. That is shorter than a typical mainland Asian elephant and well below an African savanna elephant, the largest land animal alive today. How much does a Borneo pygmy elephant weigh? Despite the modest height, these are heavy animals. Large bulls can reach roughly 5,000 kilograms, several tonnes of muscle, bone and appetite. The "pygmy" label describes proportion and subspecies, not a small or harmless animal. Why is it smaller than other elephants? The answer is island life. Cut off on Borneo for around 300,000 years, the population evolved a more compact, rounded body, a phenomenon biologists see again and again when large mammals are confined to islands. Along with the smaller frame came proportionally larger ears, a longer tail that can nearly brush the ground, and straighter tusks. How does it compare to a mainland Asian elephant? Height: shorter at the shoulder than mainland Asian elephants. Body shape: rounder and more compact, often described as baby-faced. Ears and tail: proportionally larger ears and a longer tail. Range: Borneo only, versus a sweep from India and Sri Lanka across mainland Southeast Asia and Sumatra. Does smaller mean safer? Sadly, no. Size has not protected this subspecies from the loss of around 60% of its forest in just four decades. With only about 1,000 animals left, the IUCN classed it as Endangered in 2024. You can explore the full picture in the species guide , or back the local teams working in its range through the Elephant Appeal . Read the full Borneo elephant wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/borneo-pygmy-elephant-how-big-size-explained): How Big Is a Borneo Pygmy Elephant? The World's Smallest Elephant, Sized Up.

## How big is a Borneo pygmy elephant?
Adults generally stand around 2.5 to 3 metres (about 8 to 10 feet) at the shoulder. They are the smallest elephant subspecies and noticeably rounder than mainland Asian elephants, though large bulls can still weigh several tonnes.

## How much does a Borneo pygmy elephant weigh?
They weigh several tonnes, with large bulls reaching roughly 5,000 kilograms. The 'pygmy' name refers to their proportions and subspecies rather than implying a genuinely small or lightweight animal.

## Why are Borneo pygmy elephants so small?
They evolved a smaller body after being isolated on the island of Borneo for around 300,000 years, an example of island dwarfism, gaining proportionally larger ears, a longer tail and straighter tusks along the way.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/borneo-pygmy-elephant-why-endangered-conservation): Why Are Borneo Pygmy Elephants Endangered — and What's Being Done to Save Them.

## Summary
Borneo pygmy elephants are Endangered (IUCN, 2024) mainly because around 60% of their forest has been lost in 40 years to logging and oil palm, leaving about 1,000 left; conservation now centres on wildlife corridors, fencing, early-warning systems and rescuing animals caught in human-elephant conflict.

## Excerpt
Sixty percent of their forest is gone and only about 1,000 remain. Here is what pushed the world's smallest elephant onto the Endangered list, and the work giving it a chance.

## Takeaway
The IUCN listed the Borneo pygmy elephant as Endangered in 2024, with about 1,000 left and roughly 400 breeding adults.

## Takeaway
Habitat loss is the biggest threat: around 60% of its forest has been cleared in 40 years, mainly for timber and oil palm.

## Takeaway
Forest fragmentation forces elephants into farms and plantations, fuelling human-elephant conflict that can kill elephants through shooting, snaring or poisoning.

## Takeaway
Conservation focuses on wildlife corridors, electric fencing, early-warning systems, rapid-response teams and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned animals.

## Takeaway
Lasting recovery depends on local rangers, sanctuaries and community partners across Sabah and Kalimantan.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/borneo-pygmy-elephant-why-endangered-conservation): Why Are Borneo Pygmy Elephants Endangered — and What's Being Done to Save Them.

## Briefing
From abundant to Endangered in living memory In June 2024 the IUCN Red List classified the Borneo elephant as Endangered for the first time, estimating roughly 1,000 animals with only about 400 breeding adults. The population is judged to have fallen by at least half over the last three generations, a span of some 60 to 75 years. For the world's smallest elephant, the threats are concentrated and very modern. Our species guide covers the science in full; here is the short version. The biggest threat: vanishing forest The single largest driver is habitat loss. Around 60% of the elephants' forest has disappeared in just four decades, cleared first for timber and then for the vast oil-palm plantations that now blanket lowland Borneo. What forest remains is sliced apart by roads, settlements and plantation boundaries, cutting elephants off from food, water and one another. When elephants and people collide As plantations replace forest, elephants cross into farmland and estates to feed, trampling and raiding crops. The resulting conflict can be lethal for the elephants, which are sometimes shot, snared or poisoned; high-profile poisoning cases in Sabah have drawn international concern. With so few breeding adults left, every animal lost this way is a serious blow to the subspecies. Other pressures Poaching for tusks. Mining and infrastructure that fragment habitat further. Collisions with vehicles on plantation and logging roads. What's being done to save them Recovery hinges on two goals: keeping forest connected, and keeping people and elephants safely apart. In practice that means wildlife corridors linking the remaining core habitat blocks through plantation country, electric fencing and early-warning systems to cut crop raids, rapid-response teams that move elephants out of danger, and the rescue and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned animals. Because so much of the range sits inside working plantations, lasting solutions depend on local rangers, sanctuaries and community partners on the ground in Sabah and Kalimantan. Is there hope? Yes. The subspecies is often described as relatively placid, and where corridors and conflict-reduction measures are in place, elephants and communities can share a landscape. The challenge is scaling that work fast enough. Both range states sit among the countries where our network funds vetted local partners; a gift to the Elephant Appeal helps those frontline teams keep going. You can read the full story in the Borneo pygmy elephant guide . Read the full Borneo elephant wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/borneo-pygmy-elephant-why-endangered-conservation): Why Are Borneo Pygmy Elephants Endangered — and What's Being Done to Save Them.

## Why are Borneo pygmy elephants endangered?
The main reason is habitat loss: around 60% of their forest has been cleared in four decades, mostly for timber and oil-palm plantations. Fragmentation then drives human-elephant conflict, and the IUCN estimates only about 1,000 elephants remain, leading to its 2024 Endangered listing.

## What is being done to protect Borneo pygmy elephants?
Conservation efforts focus on wildlife corridors that reconnect forest, electric fencing and early-warning systems to reduce crop raids, rapid-response teams that move elephants away from danger, and the rescue and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned animals, all led by local partners in Sabah and Kalimantan.

## How many Borneo pygmy elephants are left?
About 1,000 remain according to the IUCN's 2024 assessment, of which roughly 400 are breeding adults, almost all in Sabah, Malaysia, with a small population in Kalimantan, Indonesia.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Hyacinth Macaw, the Cobalt Giant of the Pantanal.

## Summary
The Hyacinth Macaw is the world's largest flying parrot — a cobalt-blue, roughly one-metre-long Brazilian bird with a wingspan over four feet and a beak strong enough to crack rock-hard palm nuts, listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

## Excerpt
From a beak that cracks rock-hard palm nuts to a wingspan over four feet, here are 11 surprising, source-checked facts about the world's largest flying parrot.

## Takeaway
The Hyacinth Macaw is the world's largest flying parrot at about one metre long with a wingspan over four feet.

## Takeaway
It is a palm-nut specialist whose powerful beak cracks acuri and bocaiuva nuts almost no other animal can open.

## Takeaway
In the Pantanal it nests almost exclusively in cavities of the manduvi tree, tying breeding to one tree species.

## Takeaway
It can live 30 to 50 years in the wild and over 50 years in captivity, but breeds slowly with just one or two eggs per clutch.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable with roughly 4,300 mature individuals (2021); Brazil reassessed it as Endangered nationally after the 2020 fires.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Hyacinth Macaw, the Cobalt Giant of the Pantanal.

## Briefing
11 amazing facts about the Hyacinth Macaw Wrapped in brilliant cobalt-blue plumage and standing about a metre tall from beak to tail, the Hyacinth Macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ) is one of the most striking birds on Earth. Here are eleven facts that explain why this Brazilian giant fascinates birdwatchers and conservationists alike. 1. It is the largest flying parrot in the world At roughly one metre (about 3 ft 3 in) from head to tail tip, the Hyacinth Macaw is the longest parrot species and the largest of all macaws. Only the flightless kakapo of New Zealand outweighs it among parrots. 2. Its wingspan tops four feet Spread wide, the wings can exceed 1.2 metres (more than four feet), giving the bird a powerful, unhurried flight across open wetland skies. 3. The beak can crack nuts that defeat a hammer This is a palm-nut specialist. Its enormous curved beak cracks the rock-hard nuts of acuri and bocaiuva palms — a food source almost no competitor can exploit. 4. Its tongue has a bone in it Behind that crushing beak, the dry, scaly-looking tongue contains a small bone and is used to tap and taste food with surprising delicacy. 5. It nests in just one kind of tree In the Pantanal, pairs nest almost exclusively in cavities of the soft-cored manduvi tree ( Sterculia apetala ), a tight ecological link that ties breeding success to a single tree species. 6. It can live for decades Hyacinth Macaws commonly live 30 to 50 years in the wild, and individuals in human care have passed 50 years of age. 7. Pairs raise very few chicks Clutches hold only one or two eggs, incubation lasts about a month, and chicks do not fledge until roughly 110 days old — making the species slow to recover from any loss. 8. Its stronghold is the world's largest tropical wetland Most of the global population lives in Brazil's Pantanal, with smaller numbers in the dry Cerrado and along the southern Amazon fringe. 9. It is not naturally aggressive — but the bite is formidable These birds are gentle toward people by nature, yet their beak is among the most powerful of any parrot, so a bite can cause serious injury. 10. CITES gives it the strictest possible trade protection Listed on CITES Appendix I, commercial international trade in wild Hyacinth Macaws is banned — a response to the trapping that once devastated wild numbers. 11. It is recovering, but still vulnerable The IUCN classifies the species as Vulnerable, estimating around 4,300 mature individuals in 2021 with a declining trend. Brazil reassessed it as Endangered nationally after the 2020 Pantanal fires. For the full profile — taxonomy, range maps and conservation detail — see our Hyacinth Macaw species guide . Protecting this bird is mostly about safeguarding nest trees and palms; our partner-funded work in Brazil helps keep that field monitoring going, and you can support the parrot and macaw appeal if you'd like to help. Read the full Hyacinth macaw wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Hyacinth Macaw, the Cobalt Giant of the Pantanal.

## What makes the Hyacinth Macaw special?
It is the largest flying parrot in the world, with brilliant cobalt-blue plumage, a wingspan over four feet, and a beak powerful enough to crack the hard palm nuts that make up most of its diet.

## How many Hyacinth Macaws are left?
The IUCN's 2021 assessment estimates around 4,300 mature individuals (roughly 6,500 birds in total), with a declining population trend. Most live in Brazil's Pantanal.

## Are Hyacinth Macaws endangered?
The IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable globally. After the catastrophic 2020 Pantanal fires destroyed nesting trees, Brazil reassessed it as Endangered at the national level.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-how-big-strong-largest-parrot): How Big and Strong Is a Hyacinth Macaw? Meet the World's Largest Flying Parrot.

## Summary
A Hyacinth Macaw is the world's largest flying parrot: about one metre (3 ft 3 in) long, weighing 1.2 to 1.7 kg, with a wingspan over four feet and a beak powerful enough to crack rock-hard palm nuts.

## Excerpt
How long, how heavy, how wide its wings and how powerful its bite — a clear, source-checked answer to just how big the Hyacinth Macaw really is.

## Takeaway
The Hyacinth Macaw measures about one metre (3 ft 3 in) head to tail — the longest of any flying parrot.

## Takeaway
Adults weigh roughly 1.2 to 1.7 kg, with a wingspan exceeding 1.2 m (over four feet).

## Takeaway
Its beak is among the most powerful of any parrot, able to crack rock-hard acuri and bocaiuva palm nuts.

## Takeaway
It is long-lived, commonly reaching 30 to 50 years in the wild and over 50 in captivity.

## Takeaway
Despite its size and strength, the species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN with about 4,300 mature individuals.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-how-big-strong-largest-parrot): How Big and Strong Is a Hyacinth Macaw? Meet the World's Largest Flying Parrot.

## Briefing
How big is a Hyacinth Macaw? The Hyacinth Macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ) is the largest flying parrot on Earth and the biggest of all the macaws. Measured from the top of its head to the tip of its long tapering tail, an adult reaches about one metre — roughly 3 ft 3 in. No other parrot capable of flight is longer. Length, weight and wingspan Length: about 1 m (3 ft 3 in), head to tail tip. Weight: roughly 1.2 to 1.7 kg, making it one of the heaviest parrots that can fly. Wingspan: spread wide, the wings exceed 1.2 m (more than four feet). Only the kakapo, a flightless ground parrot, is heavier — so among flying parrots, the Hyacinth Macaw stands alone at the top. How strong is its beak? Size is only half the story. The Hyacinth Macaw's curved black beak is built to crack the rock-hard nuts of acuri and bocaiuva palms — a food source almost no other animal can open. A 2025 study of parrot bite forces published in the Journal of Anatomy measured exceptionally large bite forces in macaws, on the order of several hundred newtons, consistent with a beak that can split nuts that would resist a hammer. The bird is not aggressive toward people, but that same power means a defensive bite can cause serious injury. How long does it live? Big, slow and long-lived go together. Hyacinth Macaws commonly live 30 to 50 years in the wild, and individuals in human care have exceeded 50 years. They mature slowly, reaching breeding age around seven, and raise just one or two chicks per clutch — which is exactly why population recovery is so gradual. Why its size matters for survival A metre-long bird that depends on specific palms for food and a single tree species for nesting needs a lot of intact habitat. The IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable, with about 4,300 mature individuals in 2021 and a declining trend, and Brazil reassessed it as Endangered nationally after the 2020 Pantanal fires. You can explore the full profile in our Hyacinth Macaw species guide . Much of the conservation effort is quiet, long-term work — monitoring nests and protecting palms — and our partner-funded teams in Brazil are part of it if you'd like to help keep that work going . Read the full Hyacinth macaw wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-how-big-strong-largest-parrot): How Big and Strong Is a Hyacinth Macaw? Meet the World's Largest Flying Parrot.

## How big is a Hyacinth Macaw?
It is the largest flying parrot in the world, reaching about one metre (3 ft 3 in) from head to tail tip, weighing roughly 1.2 to 1.7 kg, with a wingspan of more than four feet.

## How strong is a Hyacinth Macaw's bite?
Its beak is among the most powerful of any parrot — strong enough to crack the rock-hard nuts of acuri and bocaiuva palms, and even coconuts — so a bite can cause serious injury despite the bird's generally gentle nature.

## Is the Hyacinth Macaw the biggest parrot in the world?
It is the largest flying parrot. The flightless kakapo of New Zealand is heavier, but among parrots that can fly, the Hyacinth Macaw is the largest by length.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-vs-lears-macaw-key-differences): Hyacinth Macaw vs Lear's Macaw: How to Tell the Two Blue Giants Apart.

## Summary
The Hyacinth Macaw is larger (~1 m vs ~70–75 cm) and a deeper cobalt blue than Lear's Macaw, and has a slim yellow band at the bill rather than Lear's larger rounded yellow patch; both are Brazilian Anodorhynchus macaws protected on CITES Appendix I.

## Excerpt
They are both big blue Brazilian macaws, but size, shade, face markings and rarity set them apart. Here is a clear, source-checked guide to the differences.

## Takeaway
The Hyacinth Macaw (~1 m) is markedly larger than Lear's Macaw (~70–75 cm), the quickest way to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
Hyacinth plumage is deep cobalt; Lear's is a duller, slightly greener blue.

## Takeaway
Face markings are the best field mark: Hyacinth has a slim yellow band, Lear's a larger rounded yellow patch at the bill base.

## Takeaway
Both are Brazilian, but the Hyacinth ranges widely while Lear's is confined to a small area of north-eastern caatinga.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the Hyacinth as Vulnerable and Lear's as Endangered; both are protected on CITES Appendix I.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-vs-lears-macaw-key-differences): Hyacinth Macaw vs Lear's Macaw: How to Tell the Two Blue Giants Apart.

## Briefing
Hyacinth Macaw vs Lear's Macaw: what's the difference? At a glance, the Hyacinth Macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ) and Lear's Macaw ( Anodorhynchus leari ) look like the same bird at two sizes: both are large blue parrots from Brazil in the same genus. But they are separate species with clear differences in size, colour, face markings, range and rarity. Size: the Hyacinth is noticeably bigger The Hyacinth Macaw is the world's largest flying parrot at about one metre (3 ft 3 in) long, weighing 1.2 to 1.7 kg. Lear's Macaw is distinctly smaller — roughly 70 to 75 cm long and around 950 g. If you can judge scale, size is the quickest clue. Colour: cobalt vs a greener blue The Hyacinth Macaw is a deep, uniform cobalt blue. Lear's Macaw tends toward a slightly duller blue with a faint greenish or teal cast, often with a more bluish-grey head, giving it a marginally less saturated look in good light. Face markings: the key field mark The most reliable difference is the bare yellow skin at the base of the bill. In the Hyacinth Macaw this is a slim, neat band of yellow around the lower beak and a narrow ring around the eye. In Lear's Macaw the yellow patch at the base of the bill is larger and more rounded, forming a noticeable teardrop-shaped lappet — the single best feature for telling them apart up close. Range: both Brazilian, but Lear's is far more localised The Hyacinth Macaw ranges across central South America, with its stronghold in Brazil's Pantanal and smaller populations in the Cerrado and southern Amazon fringe. Lear's Macaw is restricted to a tiny area of dry caatinga scrubland in north-eastern Brazil, where it depends heavily on licuri palm nuts. Rarity and status The Hyacinth Macaw is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with roughly 4,300 mature individuals in 2021. Lear's Macaw is rarer and more range-restricted; once Critically Endangered, intensive nest protection helped it recover enough to be reassessed as Endangered. Both are on CITES Appendix I, banning commercial international trade in wild birds. Quick comparison Length: Hyacinth ~1 m; Lear's ~70–75 cm. Colour: Hyacinth deep cobalt; Lear's duller, greener blue. Face: Hyacinth slim yellow band; Lear's larger rounded yellow patch. Range: Hyacinth across central South America; Lear's tiny part of NE Brazil. IUCN status: Hyacinth Vulnerable; Lear's Endangered. Want the full profile of the cobalt giant? Read our Hyacinth Macaw species guide . Both blue macaws owe their survival largely to patient, on-the-ground nest protection in Brazil — the kind of partner-funded work you can support through the parrot and macaw appeal if you'd like to help. Read the full Hyacinth macaw wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyacinth-macaw-vs-lears-macaw-key-differences): Hyacinth Macaw vs Lear's Macaw: How to Tell the Two Blue Giants Apart.

## How do you tell a Hyacinth Macaw from a Lear's Macaw?
Look at size, colour and the bill. The Hyacinth is larger (about 1 m vs 70–75 cm) and a deeper cobalt blue, with a slim yellow band at the base of the bill; Lear's is smaller, a slightly greener blue, and has a larger, rounded yellow patch at the bill base.

## Are Hyacinth and Lear's macaws the same species?
No. They are separate species in the same genus, Anodorhynchus — the Hyacinth Macaw is Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus and Lear's Macaw is Anodorhynchus leari.

## Which is rarer, the Hyacinth or Lear's Macaw?
Lear's Macaw is rarer and far more range-restricted; the IUCN lists it as Endangered, while the more widespread Hyacinth Macaw is listed as Vulnerable.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About the Proboscis Monkey, Borneo's Big-Nosed Swimmer.

## Summary
The proboscis monkey is a Borneo-only primate famous for the male's 10 cm hanging nose, its underwater swimming, and a cow-like fermenting stomach, and the IUCN classes it as Endangered with fewer than about 7,000 mature individuals remaining.

## Excerpt
From a nose that doubles as a loudspeaker to a stomach that ferments leaves like a cow's, here are ten things that make Borneo's proboscis monkey one of the strangest primates alive.

## Takeaway
A male proboscis monkey's nose can reach about 10 cm and works as a resonating chamber that deepens his calls.

## Takeaway
They are endemic to Borneo and among the most aquatic primates, swimming underwater for up to roughly 20 metres.

## Takeaway
A chambered, ruminant-like stomach lets them ferment tough leaves, producing their distinctive pot belly.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the species as Endangered, with fewer than an estimated 7,000 mature individuals left.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About the Proboscis Monkey, Borneo's Big-Nosed Swimmer.

## Briefing
Few animals look as improbable as the proboscis monkey ( Nasalis larvatus ), a leaf-eating primate found only on the island of Borneo. With a pendulous nose, a round belly and a talent for swimming, it breaks almost every rule we expect a monkey to follow. Here are ten facts that explain why. 10 fascinating proboscis monkey facts 1. The nose is a built-in loudspeaker A dominant male's nose can hang lower than his mouth and reach around 10 cm long. Research published in Science Advances shows it works as a resonating chamber, deepening his honking calls and advertising his size across dense forest. 2. Females choose the biggest noses Nose size correlates with body mass and the number of females a male attracts, evidence that sexual selection drove the trait through female choice and male rivalry alike. 3. Males and females look like different species Females and infants have small, neat, upturned noses, while males grow the famous droop. Males are also roughly twice the weight of females. 4. They are among the best swimmers of all primates Proboscis monkeys belly-flop from branches into rivers and can swim underwater for up to about 20 metres to dodge crocodiles or reach feeding trees. 5. They have partly webbed hands and feet Partial webbing between the fingers and toes helps them swim and spreads their weight on soft mangrove mud. 6. Their belly is a fermentation tank A multi-chambered stomach full of bacteria ferments tough leaves, similar to a cow's digestion, giving them their pot-bellied silhouette. 7. They live nowhere else on Earth The species is endemic to Borneo, shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, and clings to coastal mangroves, peat swamps and riverbanks. 8. Society runs on harems and bachelor bands Groups are typically one male with several females and young, alongside separate all-male bachelor bands that gather and split along the same river. 9. They are gentle and shy Despite their size, they are plant-eaters that avoid people and spend most of their time in trees near water. 10. They are Endangered The IUCN estimates fewer than 7,000 mature individuals remain after a decline of more than 50% in about 40 years, driven by habitat loss. Read the full proboscis monkey species guide for the complete picture. Protecting them means protecting Borneo's riverside forests. WARN channels donor support to local rescue and ranger teams in Indonesia and Malaysia who keep those mangroves standing. Read the full Proboscis monkey wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About the Proboscis Monkey, Borneo's Big-Nosed Swimmer.

## What is special about the proboscis monkey's nose?
The male's enlarged nose acts as a resonating chamber that deepens and amplifies his honking calls and signals his size and status. Females prefer larger-nosed males, and nose size is linked to body mass and mating success.

## Can proboscis monkeys really swim underwater?
Yes. They are among the most aquatic primates, with partial webbing on their hands and feet, and can swim across rivers and even underwater for up to roughly 20 metres to escape predators or reach feeding trees.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-how-big-and-can-they-swim): How Big Is a Proboscis Monkey, and Can It Really Swim Underwater?

## Summary
A male proboscis monkey typically weighs about 16 to 22 kg (up to roughly 30 kg) and measures 66 to 76 cm head-and-body, females are much smaller at 7 to 12 kg, and both can swim underwater for up to about 20 metres.

## Excerpt
Male proboscis monkeys can weigh up to about 30 kg and swim underwater for 20 metres. Here is how this big-nosed Borneo primate measures up in size, weight and aquatic skill.

## Takeaway
Male proboscis monkeys are large, about 16 to 22 kg and up to roughly 30 kg, with a head-and-body length of 66 to 76 cm.

## Takeaway
Females are far smaller, around 7 to 12 kg and 53 to 62 cm, reflecting a one-male breeding system.

## Takeaway
They are among the most aquatic primates, swimming submerged for up to about 20 metres.

## Takeaway
Partial webbing on the hands and feet aids swimming and movement across soft mangrove mud.

## Briefing
The proboscis monkey ( Nasalis larvatus ) is one of the largest monkeys in Asia, and one of the most surprising. Males are heavyweights with enormous noses, females are far smaller, and both are unusually at home in the water. Here is how they measure up. How big is a proboscis monkey? Size depends heavily on sex. Males have a head-and-body length of roughly 66 to 76 cm and typically weigh about 16 to 22 kg, with exceptional individuals reaching around 30 kg. Females are much smaller, around 53 to 62 cm and roughly 7 to 12 kg. Both sexes add a long tail of similar length to the body. That makes a big male one of the heaviest of all the leaf-eating monkeys. Why males are so much larger This strong size difference between the sexes is tied to their breeding system. A dominant male defends a group of females, so larger body size and a bigger nose help in competition and in attracting mates, while females stay compact. Can a proboscis monkey swim underwater? Yes, and this is where they outshine almost every other primate. Proboscis monkeys regularly leap from branches into rivers, often with a comical belly-flop, and can swim submerged for up to about 20 metres. They do this to cross wide rivers, reach feeding trees, and escape predators such as crocodiles. The body of a swimmer They have partial webbing between their fingers and toes, which improves their stroke in water and helps spread their weight on soft mangrove mud. Living their whole lives beside coastal mangroves, swamps and rivers, water is central to how they move and survive. How they compare at a glance Male weight: about 16 to 22 kg, up to roughly 30 kg. Female weight: about 7 to 12 kg. Underwater swim: up to about 20 metres. Lifespan: at least 23 years in captivity. For the full breakdown of biology and behaviour, see the proboscis monkey species guide . These river specialists only survive where their forests do, and WARN helps fund the local teams in Borneo working to keep those river corridors intact. Read the full Proboscis monkey wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-how-big-and-can-they-swim): How Big Is a Proboscis Monkey, and Can It Really Swim Underwater?

## How much does a proboscis monkey weigh?
Males usually weigh about 16 to 22 kg, with large individuals reaching around 30 kg. Females are much smaller at roughly 7 to 12 kg.

## How far can a proboscis monkey swim underwater?
They can swim submerged for up to about 20 metres, using partially webbed hands and feet, to cross rivers, reach feeding trees and avoid predators such as crocodiles.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-why-endangered): Why Are Proboscis Monkeys Endangered, and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## Summary
Proboscis monkeys are Endangered because Borneo's mangrove and riverside forests, which they cannot live without, have been cleared for oil palm, logging and development, cutting the population by more than 50% in about 40 years; conservation now focuses on protecting and reconnecting river corridors and mangroves.

## Excerpt
Borneo's proboscis monkey has lost more than half its population in about 40 years as its riverside forests are cleared. Here is why, and what conservation on the ground looks like.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the proboscis monkey as Endangered (assessed 2020), with fewer than an estimated 7,000 mature individuals remaining.

## Takeaway
The population has declined by more than 50% over roughly 40 years, driven mainly by habitat loss to oil palm, logging and coastal development.

## Takeaway
Forest clearing fragments groups along single rivers, leaving them isolated and more vulnerable to disturbance and hunting.

## Takeaway
Conservation centres on protecting river corridors and mangroves, supported by local rangers, community reserves and sanctuary teams.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-why-endangered): Why Are Proboscis Monkeys Endangered, and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## Briefing
The proboscis monkey ( Nasalis larvatus ) is classed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, assessed in 2020. The reason is tied to where it lives: the flat, water-rich lowland forests of Borneo that are also the easiest land for people to clear and convert. Why are proboscis monkeys endangered? This species depends on mangroves, peat-swamp forest and riverbank vegetation, and it cannot survive away from them. That habitat has been lost on a large scale to oil-palm plantations, logging, shrimp farming and coastal development. The IUCN estimates the population has fallen by more than 50% over roughly the last 40 years, about three generations, leaving fewer than an estimated 7,000 mature individuals across a fragmented range. It is also listed on CITES Appendix I, the strictest level of trade protection. Fragmentation makes things worse As forests are cut, surviving groups end up isolated along single stretches of river, cut off from one another. Small, separated populations are far more vulnerable to disturbance, hunting and snaring, and have fewer chances to mix and stay genetically healthy. What is being done to protect them? Because the problem is habitat, so is the solution. Effective conservation focuses on safeguarding river corridors, restoring degraded mangroves, slowing forest conversion and keeping patches of forest connected so isolated groups can move between them. On the ground, that work includes monitoring populations, reducing hunting and snaring, managing wildlife tourism so it does not stress the animals, and rehabilitating individuals orphaned or displaced when land is cleared. Why local teams matter most This is slow, place-based work that depends on people who know the rivers: local rangers, community-run reserves and sanctuary teams who can respond quickly when a group is cut off or an animal is displaced. The long-term task of habitat protection sits largely with established field organisations and government reserves, which local partners support rather than replace. The hopeful part Where mangroves and river corridors are protected, proboscis monkeys can persist, because intact forest is something we can defend and restore. You can learn more in the proboscis monkey species guide . A gift toward habitat protection helps WARN fund the in-country rescue and ranger teams in Indonesia and Malaysia keeping Borneo's riverside forests, and the monkeys in them, standing. Read the full Proboscis monkey wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/proboscis-monkey-why-endangered): Why Are Proboscis Monkeys Endangered, and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## How many proboscis monkeys are left in the wild?
The IUCN estimates fewer than around 7,000 mature individuals remain, spread across a fragmented range in Borneo, after a decline of more than 50% over roughly the last 40 years.

## What is the main threat to proboscis monkeys?
Habitat loss is the main threat. Their mangrove, peat-swamp and riverbank forests are cleared for oil-palm plantations, logging, shrimp farming and coastal development, with hunting an added pressure in parts of the range.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Indus River Dolphin, the Bhulan That Swims on Its Side.

## Summary
The Indus River dolphin, or bhulan, is a nearly blind freshwater dolphin found only in Pakistan's Indus River system; it swims on its side, hunts by echolocation, is Pakistan's national mammal, and is Endangered with fewer than about 2,000 mature individuals.

## Excerpt
From swimming sideways to hunting in total darkness, here are 11 surprising facts about the Indus River dolphin, one of the world's rarest freshwater dolphins.

## Takeaway
The Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor), or bhulan, is the national mammal of Pakistan and lives only in the Indus River system.

## Takeaway
It is functionally blind, lacking an eye lens, and navigates entirely by echolocation.

## Takeaway
It famously swims on its side, trailing a flipper along the riverbed to find prey it cannot see.

## Takeaway
It was recognised as a separate species in 2021 and is classified Endangered, with about 1,987 mature individuals.

## Takeaway
Irrigation barrages have fragmented its range and cut its distribution by roughly 80 percent.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Indus River Dolphin, the Bhulan That Swims on Its Side.

## Briefing
Few animals are as strange, as specialised, or as quietly endangered as the Indus River dolphin. Known locally as the bhulan , this nearly blind freshwater dolphin lives in just one river system on Earth and behaves unlike almost any other cetacean. Here are 11 facts that capture what makes it remarkable. For the full picture, see our Indus River dolphin species guide . 1. It is the national mammal of Pakistan The bhulan holds official status as Pakistan's national mammal, a recognition of how tightly its survival is bound to the Indus River that defines the country. 2. It is functionally blind The Indus River dolphin has no crystalline lens in its eyes. It can probably sense only the direction and brightness of light, not images. In the silt-choked Indus, eyesight would be nearly useless anyway. 3. It "sees" with sound Instead of vision, the dolphin relies on a near-constant stream of echolocation clicks to map its surroundings and locate prey hidden in murky water. 4. It usually swims on its side One of its oddest habits: the bhulan typically swims tilted onto one flank, trailing a flipper along the riverbed, then rolls upright to breathe. 5. Females outsize males Unusually, females are the larger sex, reaching roughly 2.4 to 2.6 metres, while males stay around 2 to 2.2 metres. 6. It lives in only one river system The species is overwhelmingly confined to Pakistan's Indus, with only a tiny remnant lingering in India's Beas River. 7. It was named a full species in 2021 Long treated as a subspecies, the Indus River dolphin was recognised as its own species, Platanista minor , after genetic and skull studies published in 2021. 8. Fewer than about 2,000 remain The 2021 IUCN assessment estimated roughly 1,987 mature individuals, based on a 2017 survey, and lists the species as Endangered. 9. Dams reshaped its world Irrigation barrages have sliced its once-continuous 3,400 km range into fragments and cut its distribution by around 80 percent. 10. It hunts the river bottom Its diet is mostly bottom-dwelling fish such as catfish and carp, plus prawns and other invertebrates detected by sonar. 11. Its numbers have clawed back After dropping to a few hundred animals, decades of rescue and protection have lifted the population toward 2,000, a rare conservation bright spot, though it remains Endangered. The bhulan survives entirely within Pakistan, one of the countries where our partner-funded teams work. If this dolphin moved you, you can support river-habitat protection that keeps the Indus flowing for its last dolphins. Read the full Indus River dolphin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Indus River Dolphin, the Bhulan That Swims on Its Side.

## How many Indus River dolphins are left?
The 2021 IUCN assessment estimated about 1,987 mature individuals based on a 2017 survey. The species is Endangered, though numbers have recovered from only a few hundred decades ago.

## Why does the Indus River dolphin swim on its side?
Swimming tilted onto one flank lets the dolphin trail a flipper along the riverbed and detect bottom-dwelling prey by touch and echolocation in water where it cannot see. It rolls upright to surface and breathe.

## Where do Indus River dolphins live?
Almost entirely in the Indus River system of Pakistan, with a tiny remnant population in the Beas River in India.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-vs-ganges-river-dolphin): Indus River Dolphin vs Ganges River Dolphin: What's the Difference?

## Summary
The Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor) and Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) were recognised as separate species in 2021 based on distinct skull shape, genetic differences and long isolation; the Indus lives in Pakistan and the Ganges across India, Bangladesh and Nepal, and both are blind and Endangered.

## Excerpt
They look nearly identical and both are blind, but the Indus and Ganges river dolphins are now classed as separate species. Here's how to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
The Indus (Platanista minor) and Ganges (Platanista gangetica) river dolphins were recognised as separate species in 2021.

## Takeaway
The split was based on distinct skull shapes, fixed genetic differences and an estimated half-million years of isolation.

## Takeaway
The Indus dolphin (bhulan) lives in Pakistan's Indus; the Ganges dolphin (susu) ranges across India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

## Takeaway
Both species are functionally blind, hunt by echolocation, and are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

## Takeaway
Both face the same primary threat: dams and irrigation barrages that fragment their river habitat.

## Briefing
The Indus and Ganges river dolphins are so alike that scientists treated them as a single species for decades. Both are blind, both have long tooth-lined beaks, and both haunt the muddy rivers of South Asia. Yet in 2021 researchers concluded they are in fact two distinct species. Here is what separates them. For a deeper profile of the Indus animal, see our Indus River dolphin species guide . They were split into two species in 2021 A taxonomic revision published in 2021 examined skulls, body measurements and DNA and found the two populations had been reproductively and geographically isolated for roughly half a million years. The Indus dolphin was elevated to its own species, Platanista minor , separate from the Ganges dolphin, Platanista gangetica . The evidence behind the split Skull shape: the frontal bones behind the nasal openings differ consistently between the two, regardless of an animal's age, sex or size. Genetics: the two river systems share no mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, with fixed genetic differences pointing to long-term separation. Other traits: the species also differ in tooth counts, coloration and growth patterns. Different rivers, different names The Indus River dolphin, or bhulan , lives in Pakistan's Indus system. The Ganges River dolphin, called susu or shushuk , ranges across the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Their ranges do not overlap. What they share Both are functionally blind, lacking a crystalline eye lens, and both navigate and hunt by echolocation. Both are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and both face the same core threat: dams and water diversion that fragment their rivers. Quick comparison Indus River dolphin — Platanista minor ; bhulan; Indus River, Pakistan; Endangered. Ganges River dolphin — Platanista gangetica ; susu/shushuk; Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system; Endangered. Of the two, the Indus dolphin lives within a country where our partner-funded teams operate. If you'd like to help, you can back river-habitat protection that supports the bhulan's last strongholds. Read the full Indus River dolphin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-vs-ganges-river-dolphin): Indus River Dolphin vs Ganges River Dolphin: What's the Difference?

## Are Indus and Ganges river dolphins the same species?
No. They were long treated as one species but were recognised as two separate species in a 2021 taxonomic revision, based on skull, genetic and morphological differences.

## How do you tell an Indus River dolphin from a Ganges River dolphin?
By range and biology rather than by sight in the field: the Indus dolphin lives in Pakistan's Indus, the Ganges dolphin in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna system. Scientifically they differ in frontal-bone skull shape, tooth counts and DNA.

## Are both river dolphins endangered?
Yes. Both the Indus and Ganges river dolphins are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, mainly because of dams and water diversion that fragment their habitat.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-why-blind-echolocation): Why Is the Indus River Dolphin Blind? How a Dolphin Learned to See With Sound.

## Summary
The Indus River dolphin is functionally blind because its eyes have no crystalline lens to focus images; it lives in silt-clouded water where vision is useless, so it evolved to navigate and hunt entirely by echolocation, emitting clicks and reading the echoes.

## Excerpt
The Indus River dolphin has eyes but cannot see images. Here's why it lost its sight and how echolocation lets it hunt in total darkness.

## Takeaway
The Indus River dolphin is functionally blind because its eyes lack a crystalline lens and cannot form images.

## Takeaway
It evolved to lose useful vision because it lives in extremely silty, dark water where eyesight offers little advantage.

## Takeaway
It navigates and hunts entirely by echolocation, emitting clicks and reading the returning echoes.

## Takeaway
It swims on its side, sweeping a flipper near the riverbed to detect bottom-dwelling prey.

## Takeaway
Its real threat is not blindness but dams and water diversion; it is listed as Endangered with about 1,987 mature individuals.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-why-blind-echolocation): Why Is the Indus River Dolphin Blind? How a Dolphin Learned to See With Sound.

## Briefing
The Indus River dolphin is often called the "blind dolphin" for good reason. It has eyes, but they cannot form images. Instead, this remarkable animal navigates one of the murkiest rivers on Earth entirely by sound. Here is why it lost its sight, and how it copes. For the full profile, see our Indus River dolphin species guide . It lives where eyes are useless The Indus carries enormous loads of silt, leaving its water thick and brown. Light barely penetrates. In an environment this dark, sharp vision offers almost no advantage, and over evolutionary time the dolphin's eyes degenerated. Its eyes have no lens The bhulan lacks a crystalline lens, the structure that focuses light into an image. As a result it is considered functionally blind. It can probably still detect the direction and intensity of light, enough to sense day from night or the shadow of an obstacle, but not enough to see shapes. How it "sees" with sound In place of vision, the dolphin produces a near-constant stream of high-frequency clicks and listens for the echoes that bounce back. This biological sonar, or echolocation, builds a detailed acoustic picture of the riverbed, obstacles and prey, even in zero visibility. Why it swims on its side The Indus dolphin commonly swims tilted onto one flank, sweeping a flipper just above the bottom. This posture is thought to help it scan the riverbed and detect bottom-dwelling fish such as catfish and carp, along with prawns and other invertebrates. It rights itself to surface and breathe. What this means for its survival Being blind is not the dolphin's problem; people are. Because it relies on a healthy, flowing river full of fish, anything that drains or fragments the Indus hits it hard. Dams and irrigation barrages have divided its range and cut its distribution by around 80 percent, and dolphins are regularly stranded in canals when flows drop. The IUCN lists the species as Endangered, with roughly 1,987 mature individuals. A sense worth protecting The bhulan's sonar makes it superbly adapted to its river, but it cannot adapt to a river that is drained away. Front-line teams in Pakistan rescue dolphins trapped in canals and work to keep enough water flowing past barrages. If you'd like to help, you can support river-habitat protection for one of the world's rarest dolphins. Read the full Indus River dolphin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/indus-river-dolphin-why-blind-echolocation): Why Is the Indus River Dolphin Blind? How a Dolphin Learned to See With Sound.

## Can the Indus River dolphin see at all?
Not in the usual sense. Its eyes lack a lens, so it cannot form images. It can probably only detect the direction and intensity of light, and relies on echolocation to find its way and hunt.

## How does a blind dolphin hunt?
It uses echolocation, emitting high-frequency clicks and listening for the echoes to locate prey such as catfish, carp, prawns and other bottom invertebrates in murky water.

## Why did the Indus River dolphin go blind?
It lives in heavily silt-laden water where light barely penetrates and vision provides little benefit. Over evolutionary time its eyes degenerated, leaving it functionally blind but highly tuned to sound.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Harpy Eagle, the Rainforest's Apex Raptor.

## Summary
The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is the largest and most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, with rear talons up to about 13 cm long, females weighing up to 9 kg, and a diet built around canopy mammals such as sloths and monkeys.

## Excerpt
From talons as long as a grizzly bear's claws to a single chick every two to three years, here are 11 fact-checked things that make the Harpy Eagle the most powerful bird of prey in the Americas.

## Takeaway
Harpy Eagle rear talons reach about 13 cm (5 in), similar in length to a grizzly bear's claws.

## Takeaway
Females weigh up to roughly 9 kg, far more than the 4-6 kg males.

## Takeaway
It is a canopy ambush hunter, preying mainly on sloths and monkeys.

## Takeaway
Pairs usually rear only one eaglet every two to three years.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable (2021) with a decreasing population.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Harpy Eagle, the Rainforest's Apex Raptor.

## Briefing
11 amazing Harpy Eagle facts, fact-checked The Harpy Eagle ( Harpia harpyja ) is the heavyweight champion of the Neotropical rainforest, a canopy hunter built on a scale that can look almost mythical. Here are eleven verified facts about this giant raptor. For the full species profile, see our Harpy Eagle guide . 1. Its talons rival a grizzly bear's claws A Harpy Eagle's rear talons can reach roughly 13 cm (about 5 inches) — comparable in length to the claws of a grizzly bear, and long enough to seize and crush prey in mid-air. 2. It is the most powerful raptor in the Americas No other bird of prey in the Western Hemisphere combines this much weight, grip and muscle. The Harpy Eagle sits at the very top of the rainforest food web. 3. Females dwarf the males A large female can weigh up to about 9 kg, while males typically weigh only around 4 to 6 kg — one of the most pronounced size gaps of any eagle. 4. Its legs are as thick as a human wrist Those heavy legs anchor the grip the eagle uses to lift prey approaching its own body weight, including sloths and monkeys. 5. It hunts inside the forest, not above it Rather than soaring over open country, the Harpy Eagle threads between trees on broad, rounded wings, ambushing animals in the canopy. 6. Sloths and monkeys are its staple diet It is a carnivore that targets tree-dwelling mammals, supplemented by opossums, porcupines, iguanas and snakes. 7. It raises just one chick every two to three years Pairs usually lay two eggs but normally rear only a single eaglet, giving the species an exceptionally slow reproductive rate. 8. The nest is enormous Breeding pairs build a massive stick platform high in an emergent tree, often a kapok, and reuse it for years. 9. Eaglets depend on their parents for months After an incubation of roughly 53 to 56 days, the young eagle fledges at around six months and lingers near the nest long after. 10. It can live for decades Harpy Eagles are generally reported to live around 25 to 35 years, which combined with slow breeding makes every adult bird precious to the population. 11. It is classed as Vulnerable The IUCN assessed the Harpy Eagle as Vulnerable in 2021, with a decreasing trend driven by deforestation and shooting. WARN's partners in Brazil and Colombia help protect nesting forest and care for rescued birds; you can read more on our habitat protection appeal . Read the full Harpy Eagle wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Harpy Eagle, the Rainforest's Apex Raptor.

## How big are a Harpy Eagle's talons?
A Harpy Eagle's rear talons can reach about 13 cm (5 inches) long, comparable to the claws of a grizzly bear, giving it a grip strong enough to crush the bones of its prey.

## What do Harpy Eagles eat?
The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is the largest and most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, with rear talons up to about 13 cm long, females weighing up to 9 kg, and a diet built around canopy mammals such as sloths and monkeys.

## How long do Harpy Eagles live?
Harpy Eagles are generally reported to live around 25 to 35 years, with similar lifespans in the wild and in well-managed captivity.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-how-big-strong-fast): How Big, Strong and Fast Is a Harpy Eagle? The Numbers Explained.

## Summary
A Harpy Eagle has a wingspan of about 176-224 cm, a female weight up to roughly 9 kg, rear talons near 13 cm long, and can reach around 50 mph (80 km/h) in short bursts, making it the most powerful raptor in the Americas.

## Excerpt
A Harpy Eagle can span two metres in wingspan, weigh up to 9 kg and grip with talons as long as a bear's claws. Here is what the science says about the most powerful raptor in the Americas.

## Takeaway
Wingspan is about 176-224 cm (close to 2 m), with a body length of 86-107 cm.

## Takeaway
Females weigh up to roughly 9 kg, among the heaviest of any eagle; males are 4-6 kg.

## Takeaway
Rear talons reach about 13 cm, comparable to a grizzly bear's claws.

## Takeaway
Harpy Eagles can reach roughly 50 mph (80 km/h) in short bursts toward prey.

## Takeaway
Their strength lets them lift prey approaching their own body weight.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-how-big-strong-fast): How Big, Strong and Fast Is a Harpy Eagle? The Numbers Explained.

## Briefing
How big, strong and fast is a Harpy Eagle? The Harpy Eagle ( Harpia harpyja ) is the largest and most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, with a wingspan of about two metres, a female weight of up to roughly 9 kg, and rear talons near 13 cm long. Below are the numbers, with the context behind them. For the full profile, see our Harpy Eagle guide . How big is a Harpy Eagle? Body length runs about 86 to 107 cm (34 to 42 inches), with a wingspan of roughly 176 to 224 cm — close to two metres. Interestingly, its wingspan is not the widest among eagles; the wings are deliberately shorter and broader than an open-country eagle's, an adaptation for steering between rainforest trees rather than soaring above them. How heavy is a Harpy Eagle? This is where the Harpy Eagle excels. A large female can weigh up to about 9 kg, placing it among the heaviest eagles alive, while males are much lighter at around 4 to 6 kg. That difference between the sexes is one of the most extreme of any raptor. How strong is a Harpy Eagle? Strength, not size, is the Harpy Eagle's defining trait. Its rear talons reach roughly 13 cm — about the length of a grizzly bear's claws — set on legs as thick as a human wrist. That grip lets it seize and lift prey approaching its own body weight, crushing the bones of sloths and monkeys as it strikes. Popular grip-strength figures of several hundred pounds per square inch circulate widely, but these are estimates rather than carefully measured values, so the safest statement is simply that the grip is powerful enough to kill mid-sized mammals on impact. How fast is a Harpy Eagle? Harpy Eagles are reported to reach around 50 mph (about 80 km/h) in short bursts as they accelerate toward prey through the canopy. They are not long-distance speed specialists like the diving peregrine falcon; their advantage is explosive acceleration and agility in tight forest, launching from a perch and closing the gap before the prey can react. Why these numbers matter for conservation A predator this large needs vast areas of intact forest and a steady supply of canopy mammals, which is exactly what deforestation removes. WARN's local partners in Brazil and Colombia focus on keeping nesting forest standing and caring for injured or confiscated birds; our habitat protection appeal explains the work. Read the full Harpy Eagle wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-how-big-strong-fast): How Big, Strong and Fast Is a Harpy Eagle? The Numbers Explained.

## How fast can a Harpy Eagle fly?
Harpy Eagles are reported to reach around 50 mph (about 80 km/h) in short bursts when accelerating toward prey, relying on agility through the canopy rather than sustained high-speed flight.

## How much can a Harpy Eagle lift?
Harpy Eagles can lift prey approaching their own body weight, allowing a large bird to carry off sloths and monkeys from the rainforest canopy.

## Is the Harpy Eagle the biggest eagle in the world?
It is among the largest and heaviest eagles alive and the most powerful in the Americas, though some other eagles, such as the Steller's sea eagle and Philippine eagle, rival or exceed it in particular measurements.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-vs-philippine-eagle): Harpy Eagle vs Philippine Eagle: How the World's Two Giant Forest Raptors Compare.

## Summary
The Harpy Eagle and the Philippine Eagle are the world's two largest forest eagles; the Harpy Eagle ranges across Latin America and is heavier (females up to ~9 kg) and rated Vulnerable, while the Philippine Eagle is a Philippines-only endemic rated Critically Endangered.

## Excerpt
They are the two largest forest eagles on Earth, but they live oceans apart and face very different odds. Here is how the Harpy Eagle and the Philippine Eagle compare on size, range, diet and survival.

## Takeaway
The Harpy Eagle (Latin America) and Philippine Eagle (Philippines only) are the world's two largest forest eagles.

## Takeaway
The Harpy Eagle is generally the heavier bird, with females up to ~9 kg versus ~6-8 kg for the Philippine Eagle.

## Takeaway
Both are canopy ambush hunters of tree-dwelling mammals such as monkeys.

## Takeaway
The Harpy Eagle is Vulnerable; the Philippine Eagle is Critically Endangered.

## Takeaway
Both are threatened by rainforest loss, shooting and very slow breeding.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-vs-philippine-eagle): Harpy Eagle vs Philippine Eagle: How the World's Two Giant Forest Raptors Compare.

## Briefing
Harpy Eagle vs Philippine Eagle: two giants of the canopy The Harpy Eagle ( Harpia harpyja ) and the Philippine Eagle ( Pithecophaga jefferyi ) are the two largest forest-dwelling eagles in the world, yet they evolved on opposite sides of the planet and now face very different futures. Here is how they compare. For the full profile of the American giant, see our Harpy Eagle guide . Where they live The Harpy Eagle ranges widely across Latin America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. The Philippine Eagle is found nowhere else on Earth but the Philippines, making it an island endemic with a far smaller total range. Size and build Both are heavyweights. A female Harpy Eagle can weigh up to about 9 kg, while the Philippine Eagle weighs roughly 6 to 8 kg. Their wingspans are similar — about 176 to 224 cm for the Harpy Eagle and around 184 to 220 cm for the Philippine Eagle. The Harpy Eagle tends to be the bulkier, heavier bird, while the Philippine Eagle is famously long-bodied with a shaggy crest. What they hunt Both are canopy ambush predators of tree-dwelling mammals. The Harpy Eagle specialises in sloths and monkeys; the Philippine Eagle takes monkeys, flying lemurs and other mammals. In each case the eagle sits at the apex of its rainforest food web. How they are doing This is where the two diverge most sharply. The Harpy Eagle is classed as Vulnerable by the IUCN (2021), with a broad but uncertain population and a decreasing trend. The Philippine Eagle is in far greater peril, listed as Critically Endangered, with only a small number of breeding pairs remaining on a handful of islands. The shared threat Both giants are undone by the same forces: the loss of large blocks of lowland rainforest and direct persecution by shooting. Slow breeding compounds the danger, since a single pair raises few young over many years. WARN supports partners in Brazil and Colombia working to keep Harpy Eagle nesting forest standing; our habitat protection appeal describes how that work is funded. Quick comparison Range: Harpy Eagle — Mexico to Argentina; Philippine Eagle — Philippines only. Female weight: Harpy up to ~9 kg; Philippine ~6-8 kg. Wingspan: Harpy ~176-224 cm; Philippine ~184-220 cm. Main prey: Harpy — sloths and monkeys; Philippine — monkeys, flying lemurs, other mammals. IUCN status: Harpy — Vulnerable; Philippine — Critically Endangered. Read the full Harpy Eagle wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/harpy-eagle-vs-philippine-eagle): Harpy Eagle vs Philippine Eagle: How the World's Two Giant Forest Raptors Compare.

## Which is bigger, the Harpy Eagle or the Philippine Eagle?
They are very close, but the Harpy Eagle is generally the heavier and bulkier bird, with females reaching up to about 9 kg compared with roughly 6 to 8 kg for the Philippine Eagle. Their wingspans are similar at around two metres.

## Are the Harpy Eagle and Philippine Eagle related?
Both belong to the hawk and eagle family Accipitridae and fill the same role as apex forest raptors, but they are distinct species in different genera that evolved on opposite sides of the world.

## Which eagle is more endangered?
The Philippine Eagle is far more endangered, listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered, while the Harpy Eagle is classed as Vulnerable with a decreasing population.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/giant-otter-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Giant Otter, the Amazon's River Wolf.

## Summary
The giant otter is the world's longest otter, a diurnal, highly social Amazon predator that grows up to 1.8 m, identifies kin by unique throat patches, eats 3 to 4 kg of fish a day, and is classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

## Excerpt
From a throat patch as unique as a fingerprint to a voice box with at least nine distinct calls, here are eleven facts that explain why the giant otter is one of the Amazon's most remarkable predators.

## Takeaway
The giant otter is the longest otter in the world, reaching up to 1.8 m nose to tail.

## Takeaway
Each individual has a unique cream throat patch that researchers use like a fingerprint.

## Takeaway
Family groups of 3 to 8 hunt by day and raise pups cooperatively.

## Takeaway
It is the most vocal otter, using a wide range of distinct calls to coordinate the group.

## Takeaway
Classed as Endangered by the IUCN (2021), with fewer than 5,000 mature individuals left.