Over 2,000 species make endangered 'red list'

Tuesday, 18 November 2003 12:00 AM

The endangered species 'Red List', published today, shows that more than 2,000 species are facing extinction around the world.

The annual list, produced by IUCN-The World Conservation Union, shows that 12,000 species are endangered, many due to destruction of their habitats.

Mexican black howler monkeys, Mekong giant Catfish and Galapagos snails have all moved closer to extinction and the list shows that island habitats are suffering particularly, many from tourism and invasive species.

Hawaii, Tristan da Cunha, St Helena and the Falkland Islands have species that are particularly under threat. On Hawaii 125 endemic plants (species found nowhere else) were added to the Red List this year, 85 are threatened.

In the Mediterranean, the short-beaked common dolphin is coming under threat because of over fishing. The Rio Grande do Sul/Uruguay sub-population of the franciscana, a river dolphin, has also entered the list.

Achim Steiner, the IUCN's director-general said that, while it is very difficult to accurately classify and record all species, they are confident the list is an indicator of what is happening to global biological diversity.

"The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides the best available knowledge necessary for sound conservation action. We now need the political will and resources to stem the loss of biodiversity," she added.

The list does show a few success stories with Chinese crested ibis, Arabian oryx and white rhino numbers increasing through conservation efforts.

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