World Endangered Species Day and IUCN Red List Categories

World Endangered Species Day is the third Friday of May every year. Endangered is among the nine IUCN Red List Categories. IUCN is the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Red List of IUCN gives the information on global conservation status of different species. Moreover, the IUCN Red List Classification includes Not Evaluated, Data Deficient Species, Least Concern Species, Near Threatened Species, Vulnerable Species, Endangered Species, Critically Endangered Species, Extinct in Wild Species and Extinct Species.

سندھ میں معدوم ہوتی گِدھوں کی نسل،وجوہات اور بچاؤکی تجاویز پر مشتمل رپورٹ

History of World Endangered Species Day

World Endangered Species Day is to raise awareness about the sensitivity of species facing endangered status. Furthermore, this day highlights the importance of the conservation of such species. It also emphasizes protecting these species from habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and human-wildlife conflict. Moreover, the founder of World Endangered Species Day was David Robinson. Endangered Species Coalition also collaborated. This day started in 2006.

ڈبلیو ڈبلیو ایف پاکستان کا جنگلی جانوروں کو بطور پالتو جانور رکھنے والوں کیخلاف کارروائی کا مطالبہ

Endangered Species and IUCN Red List Categories

IUCN Red List Classification is about the threat of extinction to species. Any species of Plants, Animals, Fungi, and algae that is at risk of extinction, falls in the category of endangered species. Moreover, this may be vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, depending upon the threat. On the other hand, Factors of the risk of extinction include habitat loss, pollution, climate change, overhunting or poaching, invasive species, diseases, and human activities. Moreover, loss of Habitat and loss of genetic variation are the main causes of extinction.

The number of the species on the IUCN Red List is 157,100. On the other hand, the target of this list is 160,000. More than 44000 species are threatened with extinction on this list. Among these, 17344 are endangered. On the other hand, the preservation of endangered species depends on human awareness and interventions. Globally, many governments and non-government organizations are working for the conservation of endangered species.

The percentage of different Species which are threatened by Extinction is as follows. Amphibians 41%, Mammals 26%, Conifers 34%, Birds 12%, Sharks & Rays 37%, Reef Corals 36%, Selected Crustaceans 28%, Reptiles 21%, Cycads 70%.

 غیرقانونی خریدو فروخت کے خلاف لیڈی وائلڈ لائف آفیسر کی کارروائی

IUCN Red List Categories

IUCN Red List Categories are nine in number. The base of each category in this IUCN Red List Classification is the data available on the species. Moreover, the classification of any species typically depends on their population size, reproductive rates, distribution, and the severity of threats they face.

List of Categories

There are Nine categories in IUCN Red List Classification as follows:

Non Threatened IUCN Red List Categories

1 – Not Envaulted Species – These are not evaluated for any category of IUCN Red List Classification

2 – Data Deficient Species – These are the species that are studied well. Besides this, their biological information is also available. But, data about their distribution and population is not sufficient. So they need more research for IUCN Red List Classification. However, these species are not in the category of threat. Number of these species is 21290. Savage’s Earth Snake, Saudi Fringe-fingered Lizard, and Alcathoe Whiskered Bat are examples of species of this category.

3 – Least Concern Species – Data about these species shows no risk of extinction. However, these are at the lowest level of conservation and have a widespread and abundant population. Their number is 81577. Black Emo Skink, Greater Blind Mole Rat, Keeled Rat Snake, and Small-banded Kukri Snake are examples.   

4 – Near Threatened Species – Near Threatened species are those that are close to qualifying for a threatened category of IUCN. The habitat of these species is disappearing but on the other hand, they have a healthy population. The number in this category is 9170. Many species of Island Fox, Bush Dog, European Bison, Tufted Deer, Mona Monkey, Short-eared Dog, Marbled Cat, Siberian Ibex, Steller Sea Lion, Brown Hyaena, Markhor, and different turtles fall into this category.

انٹرنیشنل لیپرڈ ڈے، لیپرڈ کی خصوصیات اور اقسام ۔۔ چیتے، ٹائیگر اور لیپرڈ میں فرق

Threatened IUCN Red List Categories

5 – Vulnerable Species – These are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Their number is 16912. Arabian Oryx, Snow Leopard, African Golden Cat, Javan Deer, Lion, Giant Armadillo, and others are examples of this category.

6 – Endangered Species – Species that are very likely to become extinct in the near future, called Endangered species. However, these have a very high risk of extinction and 17344 in number. Examples are Large-spotted Civet, Tiger, Red Panda, Sea otter, white headed duck, Green Peafowl and others.

7 – Critically Endangered Species – Species that are at an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. However, these need urgent conservation measures to protect them from extinction. On the other, hand, critically Endangered species often have at least a 90 percent decline in population, highly restricted ranges, and face severe threats. 9760 species fall in this category. Wild camel, Addex, Hirola, Myanmar Snub-nosed Monkey, and European Mink are examples.

Extinct – IUCN Red List Categories

8 – Extinct in Wild Species – These are the species that are extinct in wild. Furthermore, they are surviving only in captivity or cultivation. Number of species in this category is 84. Père David’s Deer, Hawaiian Crow, Cyanopsitta spixii, Guam Kingfisher, Golden Skiffia, Socorro Dove, 

9 – Extinct Species – These species have no reasonable doubt that their last pair has also expired and no they are extinct. These are 909 in number. Thick-billed Ground-dove, Mauritius Owl, Schomburgk’s Deer, Queen of Sheba’s Gazelle, Nevis Rice Rat are the examples.

The number of species in any category keeps on changing depending on the data and conservation status.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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