IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: shocking statistics revealed

The most comprehensive assessment of the world’s mammals has confirmed an extinction crisis, with almost 1 in 4 at risk of disappearing forever, according to the recently updated IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The new study to assess the world’s mammals shows at least 1,141 of the 5,487 listed mammals on Earth are known to be threatened with extinction. With better information more species may also prove to be in danger of extinction. But the results also show conservation can bring species back from the brink of extinction, with 5% of currently threatened mammals showing signs of recovery in the wild.

Overall, the IUCN Red List now includes 44,838 species, of which 16,928 are threatened with extinction (38 percent). Of these, 3,246 are in the highest category of threat, Critically Endangered, 4,770 are Endangered and 8,912 are Vulnerable to extinction.

Habitat loss and degradation affect 40 percent of the world’s mammals. It is most extreme in Central and South America, West, East and Central Africa, Madagascar, and in South and Southeast Asia. Over harvesting is wiping out larger mammals, especially in Southeast Asia, but also in parts of Africa and South America.

Quote from Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General

“Within our lifetime hundreds of species could be lost as a result of our own actions, a frightening sign of what is happening to the ecosystems where they live”. “We must now set clear targets for the future to reverse this trend to ensure that our enduring legacy is not to wipe out many of our closest relatives.”

The IUCN red List: a key conservation tool

Biodiversity loss is one of the world’s most significant crises with many species declining to critically low levels and with significant numbers going extinct. Biodiversity supports human livelihoods and its value is seen in the various ecosystem services it provides. Governments and civil society are addressing this crisis by setting clear conservation targets, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2010 target to reduce the current rate of biodiversity loss. In this context, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides essential information on the state of, and trends in, wild species and a system for assessing the global risk of extinction for species. The list is updated annually and is available online at www.iucnredlist.org

For more information, see:

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species website