Red List of Threatened Species 2008
08 Oct 2008
More of the world's species face extinction than ever before, according to the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) annual Red List of endangered species, released today in Barcelona, Spain.
The 2008 Red List includes 44,838 species of all types, from Africa's Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei) to Antarctica's Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) and Sumatra's Orangutan (Pongo abelii).
Dr Ray Nias, WWF-Australia's Director of Conservation said the Red List is a reminder of the challenges facing the planet.
"WWF applauds IUCN for drawing attention to this situation and calls on the Australian government to take immediate and concrete action to address some of the root causes of species extinction. This includes climate change, which is drastically affecting Australia's native species.
"Each and every year we see more and more species under threat – whether we are talking about pandas, coral polyps or sharks. Loss of habitat, over-population, hunting and poaching, as well as the effects of climate change are all placing pressure on the world's animals. Every species named on this list is in danger of extinction and once they're gone, we cannot bring them back."
The projected effects of climate change on Australia's species are calamitous, with Professor Garnaut's report predicting that temperature rises as low as 1-2 degrees would have terrible consequences for the Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu National Park, Australia's alpine regions and tropical rainforests. Rising temperature would also see the spread of invasive species to new regions – taking over habitat of native species – and further pressure being placed on water resources.
Many of the species listed have moved from threatened to endangered, or critically endangered, and need urgent attention to pull them back from the brink of extinction. Australia's Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), has moved from Least Concern to Vulnerable after the global population declined by more than 60 percent in the last 10 years due to a fatal infectious facial cancer.
The Australian Snubfin dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), which lives in the waters of northern Australia, is listed as near threatened in the 2008 IUCN Red List. Very little is known about the Snubfin dolphin, which is why WWF-Australia designated it a flagship conservation species in earlier this year.
Grey Nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus) have also been listed as Vulnerable to Extinction.
According to WWF, the loss of species should be taken as a clear warning for humans. Sound ecosystems which include clean fresh water, safe seas and healthy forests with robust species populations are critical to the livelihoods and survival of people.
"If the world needed another dramatic example of how fragile the environment is, this year's Red List should provide a wake-up call," said Dr Nias.
Overall, the IUCN Red List now includes 44,838 species, of which 16,928 are threatened with extinction (38 percent). Of these, 3,246 are in the highest category of threat, Critically Endangered, 4,770 are Endangered and 8,912 are Vulnerable to Extinction.
New species have appeared on the IUCN Red List for the first time, including the Rameshwaram Parachute Spider (Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica), the Squaretail Coral Grouper (Plectropomus areolatus - from the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific), the La Palma Giant Lizard (Gallotia auaritae - found on the Canary Island of La Palma and thought to have become, it was rediscovered last year and is now listed as Critically Endangered), the Cuban Crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer - moved from Endangered to Critically Endangered because of population declines caused by illicit hunting for its meat and its skin).
The IUCN's Red List is developed by a voluntary network of species specialist groups. Across the globe, WWF staff are part of many of these specialist groups, providing financial and technical support.
More information
Jonathon Larkin, WWF Press Office
Mobile: 0410 221 410
Email: jlarkin@wwf.org.au
