International Union For Conservation Of Nature Pictures, Images and Stock Photos

This stunning Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) image was captured at Koh Haa islands in the Andaman Sea, Krabi, Thailand. Numerous Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) aka Wahoo, can be seen swimming around the Whale Shark. Cobia can grow up to two meters long and are often mistaken for sharks. This image shows their primal instinctive behavior as they use the Whale Shark for both protection and to scavenge unwanted food. This is a particular strategy adopted by Cobia to ensure their success and survival. Whale sharks are pelagic fish who feed on plankton, small fish and are the largest of the extant species. They are classed as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN red list, due to being hunted for their meat and liver oil, however are now a protected species.

Wildlife shot of a large male Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) at the beach of Komodo islands. The Komodo Dragon (also called Komodo monitor) is the largest living species of lizard, with a maximum length of 3 metres (10 ft) and a body weight up to 70 kg (150 lb). The animal is a relict of very large lizards that once lived across Indonesia and Australia.

The Large flying fox, Pteropus vampyrus, aka Malayan, Malaysian or Greater flying fox, hanging from a branch. This fruit eating bat is an importatnt pollinator of durian fruit and other fruits.

Andaman Sea, Thailand - April 19, 2015: This stunning Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) image was captured at Koh Haa islands in the Andaman Sea, Krabi, Thailand. Numerous Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) aka Wahoo, can be seen swimming around the Whale Shark. Numerous incidental unrecognizable people are swimming together with the whale Shark. Whale sharks are an endangered species according to the IUCN red list and now protected in many places.

This large owl with the distinctive face, large forward-facing eyes, horns and deep resonant call is associated with a number of superstitions. Like many other large owls, these are considered birds of ill omen. Their deep haunting calls if delivered from atop a house are considered to forebode the death of an occupant. A number of rituals involving the capture and killing of these birds have been recorded. Salim Ali notes a wide range of superstitions related to them but notes two as being particularly widespread. One is that if the bird is starved for a few days and beaten, it would speak like a human, predicting the future of the tormentor or bringing them wealth while the other involves the killing of the bird to find a lucky bone that moved against the current like a snake when dropped into a stream.Belief in these superstitions has led to the persecution of the species in many areas by tribal hunters. The capture of these birds is illegal under Indian law but an underground market continues to drive poaching.

Tiger lie in wait. Feline predator before atack. Sweet wild cat.

Portrait of a Male Proboscis Monkey with a big nose and a wary look.

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) suffers from low reproductive success if exposed to disturbance at breeding colonies (e.g. from tourists, low-flying aircraft and especially all-terrain vehicles , or if water-levels surrounding nest-sites lower (resulting in increased access to and therefore predation from ground predators such as foxes and feral dogs) . The lowering of water levels in lakes can also lead to hyper-salinity which may affect food resources . Other threats to the species's habitat include effluents from soda-ash mining , pollution from sewage and heavy metal effluents from industries . The species also suffers mortality from lead poisoning , collisions with fences and powerlines , and from diseases such as tuberculosis, septicemia and avian botulism . Utilisation In Egypt large numbers of adults are shot or captured to be sold in markets and egg collecting from colonies occurs in some areas this may become a threat.

Komodo Island, Indonesia - September 21,2017: Wildlife shot of a large male Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) at the beach of Komodo islands - in the backgroud a small local boat and a large international Cruise Ship. The Komodo Dragon (also called Komodo monitor) is the largest living species of lizard, with a maximum length of 3 metres (10 ft) and a body weight up to 70 kg (150 lb). The animal is a relict of very large lizards that once lived across Indonesia and Australia.

Portrait of a Male Proboscis Monkey with a big nose. Looking left.

Sword Slope (Kılıcbayiri) area in the Battle of Canakkale

On the morning of April 25, the boats carrying the ANZAC soldiers had drifted and approached the Arıburnu coast. The ANZAC soldiers, bewildered, had emerged from this area surrounded by high hills and steep cliffs in very difficult conditions and were the target of bullets. It had been the logistics base for ANZAC troops throughout the war.

Dardanelles Strait, cargo ship and Monument

Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) during his hunt in the night. Bera, Rajasthan/India, wildlife shot. The species Panthera pardus is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List

The White-headed Black Langur, the IUCN Red List, China animal protection at the national level and CITESⅠ in Chongzuo of Guangxi, China.

Boto, brazilian river dolphin

Critically endangered pangolin walking past a small bush in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. The pangolin is the most trafficked animal in the world, due to the chinese eating their scales as a delicacy

This large owl with the distinctive face, large forward-facing eyes, horns and deep resonant call is associated with a number of superstitions. Like many other large owls, these are considered birds of ill omen. Their deep haunting calls if delivered from atop a house are considered to forebode the death of an occupant. A number of rituals involving the capture and killing of these birds have been recorded. Salim Ali notes a wide range of superstitions related to them but notes two as being particularly widespread. One is that if the bird is starved for a few days and beaten, it would speak like a human, predicting the future of the tormentor or bringing them wealth while the other involves the killing of the bird to find a lucky bone that moved against the current like a snake when dropped into a stream.Belief in these superstitions has led to the persecution of the species in many areas by tribal hunters. The capture of these birds is illegal under Indian law but an underground market continues to drive poaching.

The Large flying fox, Pteropus vampyrus, aka Malayan, Malaysian or Greater flying fox,hanging from a branch. Fruit is hanged in the trees to feed the bats. Importatnt pollinator of durian fruit,

A male of the endangered Brow-antlered Deer (Rucervus eldii), AKA Eld's Deer, crossing a stream

Milos viper, the rarest snake in Europe ( Macrovipera lebetina schweizeri ), full length animal in natural habitat

greek tortoise isolated over white background ( Testudo graeca ), wild reptile for your design

Adult curlew in Springtime, foraging with a long beak amongst a rocky outcrop on the North Yorkshire Moors, UK. Facing right. Scientific name: Numenius Arquata. Clean background. Copy space.

The endangered Sunda Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang) on an open vertical branch

Wildlife shot of a large male Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis). The Komodo Dragon (also called Komodo monitor) is the largest living species of lizard, with a maximum length of 3 metres (10 ft) and a body weight up to 70 kg (150 lb). The animal is a relict of very large lizards that once lived across Indonesia and Australia.

The rhim gazelle or rhim (Gazella leptoceros), also known as the slender-horned gazelle, African sand gazelle or Loder's gazelle, is a pale-coated gazelle with long slender horns and well adapted to desert life. It is considered an endangered species because fewer than 2500 are left in the wild. They are found in Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, and possibly Chad, Mali, Niger, and Sudan.

Lion, Panthera leo, Lionesse walking towards camera, in snow, white background. Captive animal in a zoo in Kristiansand, Norway, where the animals often choose to go outside in the cold snow even if they can stay inside.

Lion, Panthera leo, Lionesse standing in snow, bright background. Captive animal in a zoo in Kristiansand, Norway, the animals often choose to go outside in the cold snow even if they can stay inside.

Austria, rest area at the traditional old draw well and wine fields in the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park and walnut tree with its first shoots, part of Eurasian Steppe in Burgenland and part of international Union for Conservation of Nature

male meadow viper emerged from hibernation ( Vipera ursinii rakosiensis ); reptile ready for sloughing its skin

Podarcis milensis schweizeri basking on rocks ( Milos wall lizard )

Kleinmann's tortoise walking in the dessert

Closeup on adult critically endangered neotenic Anderson's salamander ,Ambystoma andersoni, endemic to Zacapu Lagoon in Mexico

The Rhinoceros Iguana, Cyclura cornuta, is a threatened species of lizard in the family Iguanidae that is primarily found on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Close-up.

The rhim gazelle or rhim (Gazella leptoceros), also known as the slender-horned gazelle, African sand gazelle or Loder's gazelle, is a pale-coated gazelle with long slender horns and well adapted to desert life. It is considered an endangered species because fewer than 2500 are left in the wild. They are found in Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, and possibly Chad, Mali, Niger, and Sudan.

The rhim gazelle or rhim (Gazella leptoceros), also known as the slender-horned gazelle, African sand gazelle or Loder's gazelle, is a pale-coated gazelle with long slender horns and well adapted to desert life. It is considered an endangered species because fewer than 2500 are left in the wild. They are found in Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, and possibly Chad, Mali, Niger, and Sudan.

The rhim gazelle or rhim (Gazella leptoceros), also known as the slender-horned gazelle, African sand gazelle or Loder's gazelle, is a pale-coated gazelle with long slender horns and well adapted to desert life. It is considered an endangered species because fewer than 2500 are left in the wild. They are found in Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, and possibly Chad, Mali, Niger, and Sudan.

Gran Canaria, November 2018, view from strict nature reserve Inagua towrads western mountains and Guigui massif and Teide on Tenerife above it, first snow on Teide

Portrait of a Male Proboscis Monkey with a big nose and a wary look.

The White-headed Black Langur, the IUCN Red List, China animal protection at the national level and CITESⅠ in Chongzuo of Guangxi, China.

Milos wall lizard closeup, a very rare reptile prezent only on this greek island ( Podarcis milensis ); listed as endangered on IUCN red list

Kleinmann's tortoise walking in the dessert

cute wild bear cuscus aulirops ursinus arboreal against blure background. protect rare animals

rarest european viper, female meadow adder ( Vipera ursinii rakosiensis )

The White-headed Black Langur, the IUCN Red List, China animal protection at the national level and CITESⅠ in Chongzuo of Guangxi, China.

Portrait of the adult male mandrill, Mandrillus sphinx, standing outdoors, side view.