The largest animal to go extinct in recent history is the blue whale, which can reach lengths of up to 100 feet and weigh over 200 tons.
While some may argue for other extinct giants like the woolly mammoth or the giant ground sloth, the blue whale surpasses them all in size.
The blue whale's extinction is a stark reminder of the impact humans can have on the natural world.
Overhunting and habitat destruction drove these majestic creatures to the brink of extinction in the 20th century.
While their numbers have rebounded somewhat thanks to conservation efforts, the blue whale remains a vulnerable species.
