Photographer spends two years taking pictures of animals that could disappear because of us

A London-based photographer has spent two years travelling to some of the most remote habitats in the world to capture the world's endangered species before they disappear for good.

Tim Flach, who has published his stunning and deeply powerful images in his book Endangered, documents the challenges these animals face, all because of the human race

The project explores the plight of threatened species affected by deforestation, hunting and poaching.

Flach says:

I wanted an array of endangered species which represented various aspects, some better and some lesser known.

Here are just a few of the images from Endangered.

Saiga Antelope

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN )Red List: Critically endangered

One of the animals Flach managed to track down was the critically endangered Saiga antelope. The Saiga's natural habitat is in the vast Eurasian Steppe area stretching through Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Mongolia and more.

On his Instagram, Flach writes:

Here's the magnificent Saiga, who is relatively unknown and would probably feel at home in the cantina in Star Wars.

Flach said he pursued the Saiga in the area around the Caspian Sea during summer. He waited in a hideout close to where they go for water but says the summer temperatures distorted his photos. He added:

So we went back in the winter when it was -30C and I was lying down on the ground in camouflage for three days using the longest possible lens, and finally got the shot.

Picture: © Tim Flach, from Endangered by Tim Flach

Military macaw

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Military macaws are reportedly one of the most sought-after species of parrot in Mexico.

Defenders of Wildlife estimated that 78,500 birds were caught each year for the illegal pet trade and that fewer than 10,000 are left today - spread over a patchy area of Mexico.

Picture: © Tim Flach, from Endangered by Tim Flach

Hippopotamus

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

On his Facebook page, Flach says:

Eradicating the ivory trade will be a tall challenge.

Hippo teeth are highly sought after but until law is enforced on the ground, Hippo fortunes will continue to founder.

Picture: © Tim Flach, from Endangered by Tim Flach

Snow Leopard

IUCN Red List: Endangered

Flach says:

The majestic snow leopard is one of the most endangered big cats, with its mountain territories shrinking due to farming and climate change, and an average of four snow leopards killed every week since 2008.

Around four to seven thousand remain in the wild.

Picture: © Tim Flach, from Endangered by Tim Flach

Monarch Butterflies

IUCN Red List: Not evaluated

Scientists are increasingly concerned about the monarch butterfly. In summer, they migrate to the east of the Rocky Mountains. Their numbers are decreasing and their survival is threatened by a reduction in milkweed plants in that area.

Picture: © Tim Flach, from Endangered by Tim Flach

White-bellied pangolin

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Pangolins are considered the most trafficked animal in the world, writes Baille. They're hunted for their meat in Africa and in Asia for their scales.

Picture: © Tim Flach, from Endangered by Tim Flach

Bengal tiger

IUCN Red List: Endangered

The numbers of Bengal tigers decreased as a result of the loss of their habitat across India. Today, over 50 tiger reserves take care of the remaining 2,500 individuals.

Picture: © Tim Flach, from Endangered by Tim Flach

You can find out more information about Endangered here, and you can see more photographs from the collection here.

More: These are the countries with the most endangered animals