2025’s Rarest Animal Births: These critically endangered species welcome their new babies

The births of critically endangered species in 2025. (Image: Canva)

2025 has proven to be a landmark year for wildlife conservation. Across the globe, rare births of critically endangered species have been recorded by IUCN Red List. These births are bringing new hope for their survival. From big cats to primates, these babies represent lifelines for species on the brink of extinction.

Some of the most celebrated births of 2025 include:

Amur leopard cubs with mom Mina at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. (Image: Brookfield Zoo/Chicago)

Two critically endangered Amur leopard cubs were born in July this year. They were born in the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago to first time mother "Mina".

These are among the rarest big cats on Earth. Fewer than 120 remain in the wild. Zookeepers celebrated the births as a major conservation milestone.

A rare Eastern black rhino calf arrived at the Cleveland Zoo in March this year. Globally, black rhinos are critically endangered, with only around 5,000 left. Each birth is vital for species recovery.

Critically endangered eastern black rhino male calf born in Ohio. (Image: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo)

The cotton-top tamarin, one of the world’s most endangered primates, welcomed a baby at Lake Superior Zoo in Minnesota, supporting important captive breeding effort. Captive breeding programs play a key role in saving these tiny primates.

A cotton-top tamarin baby was born at Lake Superior Zoo. (Image: Lake Superior Zoo)

Twycross Zoo in the UK welcomed the country’s only bonobo baby this year in September. Bonobos are among the world’s most endangered apes. This became a rare event for one of the world’s most endangered apes. This birth gives hope for long-term conservation.

UK’s Only Bonobo Baby born at Twycross Zoo (Image: Adam Kay/Twycross Zoo)

The Philadelphia Zoo celebrated four Galápagos tortoise hatchlings in April. They are born from nearly 100-year-old parents. Such births are extremely rare and historic for the zoo. This birth created history in wildlife assuring conservation do play an important role in bringing back species from brink of extinction.

The hatching of four critically endangered Galapagos tortoises were shared by Philadelphia Zoo. (Image: Philadelphia Zoo)

The IUCN Red List is a global inventory assessing the conservation status of species. It classifies animals into categories like critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable based on population size, threats and trends. Species listed as critically endangered face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, making every birth a vital contribution to survival.

Scientists and conservationists use several strategies to save these animals by captive breeding programs, wildlife monitoring, habitat protection, community engagement and genetic research. 2025 has offered a rare glimpse of hope for some of the world’s most endangered species. Conservation efforts, backed by science and public awareness, remain critical to ensure that these rare animals survive for generations to come.