Going, going, gone: The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is listed as 'critically endangered' on the IUCN's Red List. It's estimated only 84 to 143 animals remain in the wild.
Credit: Antonio Rivas
Australia tops developed nations with more than 22 per cent of mammals threatened with extinction. A total of 788 Australian plants and animals have been added the list.
The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) has moved from 'least concern' category to 'endangered' in light of the devastation the facial tumour virus has caused to the population - numbers have been reduced by 60 per cent in the last decade.
The survey, published in the journal Science, shows that habitat loss and degradation is the number one threat to animals, affecting 40 per cent of species. An appetite for medicines, food and exotic pets affect more than 17 per cent of species.
Marine animals are most at risk from accidental capture by fishermen.
"As climate change now builds momentum at an alarming rate and with unpredictable consequences, the most sensible thing we can do is to protect and restore what’s left so that it stands a better chance of adapting to the changing conditions," said Nicola Markus, chief conservation officer for Bush Heritage Australia.
Calculating risk
To calculate a species' extinction risk, scientists assess trends in population size, location growth. So far, they have focussed efforts on mammals and birds.
This year, the IUCN has introduced a new measurement of trends in extinction risk that will encompass much of the world's organisms.
Working in a similar way to the Dow Jones Index, which tracks financial trends, the Sampled Red List Index will track the fate of species.
Scientists believe this index will provide a broader picture of global biodiversity and conservation efforts by including lesser studied beetles, molluscs, mushrooms and plants, along with reptiles, birds and mammals.
"It’s a tragedy that the red list continues to grow," said renowned zoologist Jane Goodall. "But as I travel around the world I meet inspiring people who are reversing the extinction trends for some species and providing inspiration for others. If more members of the public become involved and their voice is heard perhaps the next list will be shorter."
we as australians
We as Australians should be disgusted in ourselves, how dare we let our precious wildlife suffer so. Less than 300 years by a lot and we as white trash have devastated one of the most amazing places on earth. Daily I am confronted with the backward, barbecue, ford vs. Holden redneck patriotic vandals that use our country for there own toilets. Generations of guiltless uneducated, apathetic destroyers parading around in there consuming lifestyles not giving a damn about anything but what’s on for sale at JB high-fi. We give a min silence for those lost to us through the horrors we reap, so why do we not give a min silence for a species we wipe of the face of the earth. That has evolved and lived in harmony with all around it, generations lost overnight it seems. Apathy and diffusion of responsibility will be mans undoing, lets just hope that when we all undo ourselves we don’t take the rest of the world with us.
“It’s time to recognize
“It’s time to recognize that nature is the largest company on Earth working for the benefit of 100 percent of humankind – and it's doing it for free. Governments should put as much effort, if not more, into saving nature as they do into saving economic and financial sectors."