Brand new data released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reveals that an alarming 31 animal species have gone extinct, highlighting a particularly concerning trend among freshwater dolphins, along with several species of sharks and rays.
The current IUCN Red List now includes 128,918 species, with 35,765 critically threatened with extinction. Recent assessments indicate that more than 316 chondrichthyan species—encompassing sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras—are facing the risk of disappearance. Notably, the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) has transitioned from Data Deficient to the Endangered category, indicating that all freshwater dolphins worldwide are now at severe risk.
Sharks and Rays Under Threat
The latest IUCN updates encompass over 420 assessments of shark and ray species, revealing that 154 species are classified as threatened or at risk of extinction in the wild. Among these are four species of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna family), and four species of angel sharks (Squatina family) that are listed as endangered or critically endangered. Furthermore, the giant manta ray (Mobula birostris) is now classified with a very high risk of extinction. Since the previous global Red List update for sharks and rays in 2014, they are quickly becoming one of the most endangered groups of vertebrates globally.
“These findings are sadly predictable. As IUCN’s Shark Specialist Group continues to pull the curtain back on the state of sharks and rays, the crisis should be triggering alarm bells for anyone invested in the health of our oceans. Twenty years have elapsed since the international community acknowledged the threat of overfishing via the International Plan of Action for Sharks. However, regrettably, insufficient efforts have been made to prevent the overfishing that is driving these animals towards extinction,” explained Dr. Andy Cornish, leader of Sharks: Restoring the Balance at WWF.
Critical Species Declines
The lost shark (Carcharhinus obsoletus), which was formally described only last year, has entered the Red List as critically endangered (possibly extinct), with its last recorded sighting occurring in 1934. Its habitat in the South China Sea has been subjected to extensive fishing pressures for over a century, making it one of the most overexploited marine areas globally. Furthermore, all 17 freshwater fish species endemic to Lake Lanao and its outlet in the Philippines are now extinct or critically endangered (possibly extinct), primarily due to predatory introduced species, exacerbated by overharvesting and destructive fishing practices.
The extinction of three Central American frog species has also been reported, accompanied by an additional 22 frog species across Central and South America now classified as critically endangered (possibly extinct). The primary factor leading to these drastic declines is chytridiomycosis disease. Nevertheless, IUCN notes that conservation actions aimed at protecting essential habitats are fostering recovery in several amphibian species, such as the Oaxaca Treefrog (Sarcohyla celata), which has transitioned from critically endangered to near threatened due to local community efforts in Mexico.
Nevertheless, there is a silver lining, as the report also indicates positive trends for certain species. For instance, the European bison (Bison bonasus) population has increased from approximately 1,800 in 2003 to over 6,200 in 2019, allowing for a reclassification from vulnerable to near threatened—an outcome attributed to concerted conservation efforts.
“The recovery of the European bison and 25 other species documented in today’s IUCN Red List update underscores the effectiveness of conservation,” noted Dr. Bruno Oberle, IUCN director general. “Nevertheless, the increasing list of extinct species serves as a stark reminder that conservation efforts need to be urgently expanded. To combat global threats, such as unsustainable fishing, agricultural land clearing, and invasive species, conservation must be globally integrated and embraced across all sectors of society and the economy.”
The data also revealed that 45% (637 of 1,464) of protea plants, primarily found in the Southern Hemisphere, are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, while nearly one-third of oak trees (31%, 113 of 430 species) face the threat of extinction.
For further information, visit the official IUCN Red List website.
