What is an endangered species? It refers to species of plants and animals that will soon be extinct if something is not done to protect and increase their numbers. Why are they endangered? Here are some reasons: loss of living space, change or destruction of habitats, disease, pollution and over hunting by humans. Some animals are listed as threatened species if their numbers are reducing drastically, but not yet considered an endangered species.

Across

3. I am a spotted cat that lives in the forests of Central and South America. Humans have adored our beauty for many years.

4. I am the largest of the big cats, and I really enjoy water. My striped fur helps me hide when I hunt.

5. I am a primate from Madagascar. There are several species of my kind.

6. My name means "Man of the Forest". I live alone in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra. I have orange-red hair.

7. I use my long arms to swing through the trees. I sing loudly, and I have black fur.

8. I entertain the zoo visitors by swinging by my prehensile tail. I am native to the rainforests of Central and South America.

11. I am the "gentle giant" of the African forests. I am the largest ape, and I am a vegetarian. My group is lead by a silverback.

Down

1. I am the smallest of all the bears. I am a good tree climber in Southeast Asia, and I love to sunbath. (threatened species)

2. My babies are the size of a bean when they are born, and I carry them in my pouch. I can jump 30 feet in a single leap.(threatened species)

5. I am a solitary predator that can carry my prey up into the trees. We either appear spotted or black.

9. We are native to the Himalayan Mountains. We have beautiful red fur and eat bamboo, acorns, and berries.

10. I have ivory tusks and a long trunk. I am from Africa or Asia.