The Lemur is a curious looking animal, and one that not many people ever see as they are quite reclusive. In the last 30 years its population in the wild has decreased by 30%, due mainly to the compromise of its natural habitat by expanding towns and farms in its homeland of Madagascar. But you can sponsor or adopt a Lemur, through the Aspinall Foundation, quickly and easily online, and help protect them.

Research suggests the shy and elusive Bush Dog, or Savannah or Vinegar Dog, as it is also known, is threatened with extinction. Human activities, such farming and the suburban expansion of cities in South America, are the main reason its habitat is slowly disappearing. It is estimated that fewer the 15,000 mature adult Bush dogs now exist in the wild. It has never been more important to protect this dwindling species through adoption or sponsorship.

The Javan Langur monkey, found mostly in the mangrove, beach and freshwater swamp forests of Indonesia, is in danger of extinction. It has never been more important to protect this striking animal. And you can do so today through the Aspinall Foundation - by adopting a monkey quickly and easily online.

Due to inbreeding, and farmers' mistaken impression that they eat their livestock, numbers of Cheetahs in the wild have long been in serious decline. Sponsor or adopt a cheetah today here

If you know someone who is into big cats then adopting a leopard could be your perfect gift. Click here to find out how to adopt a leopard

If penguins are your thing, then why not adopt a penguin or give the gift of penguin adoption to someone for Christmas or a birthday. Find out how to adopt a penguin by clicking here

Many people now prefer to sponsor an animal in addition to – or rather than – having their own pet. Sponsoring an animal has many benefits – both to the person who is taking out the sponsorship or adoption not to mention the organisation and the animal being sponsored.

The Barbary, or Atlas Lion, is now extinct in the wild. The Aspinall Foundation, at their Port Lympne reserve, look after several dozen of them, and they desperately need your help in looking after what is one of the largest groups of these animals that remain in captivity. Adopt a lion here

Tigers are facing extinction but you can adopt or sponsor Tugar, a spectacular looking tiger who was raised in captivity at Port Lympne, as a great gift.

Sponsoring a monkey makes a great gift. You could sponsor or adopt Jakarta, a playful and adventurous Grizzled Leaf monkey currently resident at Howletts, a reserve park owned by the Aspinall Foundation.