The International Union for Conservation of Nature has updated the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (PDF) for this week’s World Conservation Congress in Barcelona. The Red List is a comprehensive assessment of global conservation status for both plants and animals. This week’s report focuses on mammals, and reveals that an extinction crisis is looming.
The report indicates that of the world’s 5,487 mammals, there are 1,141 that are threatened with extinction. Another 836 mammals are listed as “Data Deficient,” meaning there isn’t accurate and timely data to determine their current status.
These findings indicate that almost one in four mammals are at risk, and it raises a warning flag for the world conservation effort. Reassuringly, the report also illustrates that conservation efforts are having a positive impact, with 5 percent of threatened animals showing signs of recovery.
You can read more about this report here.
