The latest update from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlights the increasing threat of extinction faced by over 45,000 species, including the Bornean elephant, Copiapoa cacti, and reptiles in the Canary and Balearic Islands. Conservation successes and challenges are discussed, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to protect endangered species.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has updated its Red List of Threatened Species, revealing that over 45,000 species are now at risk of extinction, marking an increase of 1,000 from the previous year. Key species highlighted in the update include the Bornean elephant, Copiapoa cacti, and various reptiles in the Canary and Balearic Islands.
The Bornean elephant, now classified as endangered, has an estimated wild population of 1,000 animals. Factors contributing to its decline include extensive logging, human conflict, agriculture, and poaching.
Copiapoa cacti from Chile’s Atacama Desert have seen 82% of species threatened due to a surge in illegal trade driven by social media popularity, habitat destruction from human development, and climate change impacts.
In Gran Canaria, the giant lizard and skink have been critically endangered and endangered respectively, primarily due to predation by the invasive California kingsnake. However, the La Gomera giant lizard showed improvement owing to conservation efforts, moving from critically endangered to endangered.
Conservation success was noted for the Iberian lynx, whose population increased significantly due to habitat restoration and reintroduction programs in Portugal and Spain.
The IUCN emphasizes that while these findings are concerning, collaborative, science-based conservation efforts can positively impact endangered species.
