GITNUXREPORT 2026

Endangered Species Statistics

Many species are critically endangered, but conservation efforts can sometimes help them recover.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Reintroduction of 22 California condors in 1987 has grown to 537 total, 337 wild.

Statistic 2

Black-footed ferret captive breeding released 6,000+ since 1991, 370 wild now.

Statistic 3

Giant panda downgraded from endangered to vulnerable in 2016 due to 17% population increase to 1,864.

Statistic 4

American bald eagle recovered from 417 pairs in 1963 to 316,000+ today via DDT ban.

Statistic 5

Przewalski's horse reintroduced to Mongolia, now 2,000 wild from captivity.

Statistic 6

Kakapo parrot intensive management raised from 51 in 1995 to 252 in 2023.

Statistic 7

Markhor population increased 75% since 1980s hunting bans in Pakistan to 2,500+.

Statistic 8

Arabian oryx reintroduced after extinction in wild, now 1,000+ in Oman reserves.

Statistic 9

Channel Island fox delisted in 2016 after captive breeding saved from 99% decline.

Statistic 10

Red kite in UK from 1 pair in 1903 to 10,000+ via reintroduction.

Statistic 11

Saiga antelope rebounded from 48,000 in 2005 to 1.3M in 2020 via disease management.

Statistic 12

Humpback whales increased 20-fold since 1966 whaling moratorium to 80,000+.

Statistic 13

Puerto Rican parrot from 13 in 1968 to 300+ wild via aviary breeding.

Statistic 14

Whooping crane from 16 in 1941 to 803 total, 110 wild non-migratory.

Statistic 15

Snow leopard surveys show 20% increase in Bhutan protected areas since 2016.

Statistic 16

Virginia northern flying squirrel delisted in 2013 after habitat restoration.

Statistic 17

Brown pelican delisted in 2009 after DDT ban and oil spill response.

Statistic 18

Golden lion tamarin from 200 in 1980s to 1,400+ wild in Brazil fragments.

Statistic 19

European bison reintroduced to 7,500 wild from near extinction.

Statistic 20

Kihansi spray toad captive breeding aims for reintroduction after wild extinction.

Statistic 21

Mauritius kestrel from 4 in 1974 to 800+ today via island management.

Statistic 22

California red-legged frog habitat restoration aided 20% population growth.

Statistic 23

Bongo antelope captive programs support wild populations in West Africa.

Statistic 24

Pink pigeon Mauritius increased from 10 to 400+ via predator control.

Statistic 25

Maned wolf in Brazil benefited from road underpasses reducing mortality 40%.

Statistic 26

Captive breeding of Partula snails reintroduced 10 species to French Polynesia.

Statistic 27

Sonoran pronghorn increased from 21 in 2002 to 200+ via water projects.

Statistic 28

The Amazon covers 40% of global tropical rainforest and hosts 10% of known biodiversity, but 17% deforested since 1970.

Statistic 29

Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot, has 90% endemic species but only 10% primary forest remaining.

Statistic 30

The Coral Triangle spans 6 countries with 76% of world's coral species and 2,228 reef fish species.

Statistic 31

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, 2,300 km long, supports 1,500 fish species but lost 50% corals since 1950.

Statistic 32

The Congo Basin rainforest, second largest, harbors 10,000 plant species, 1,000 birds, 400 mammals.

Statistic 33

Hawaii has 10,000 endemic species, but 40% of US endangered species are there due to isolation.

Statistic 34

The Cape Floristic Region in South Africa has 9,000 plant species, 70% endemic, in 0.04% land area.

Statistic 35

Indo-Burma hotspot spans 8 countries with 13,500 plants, 25% threatened, covering 2.3M km².

Statistic 36

The Atlantic Forest in Brazil, now 12% original cover, hosts 20,000 plant species, 40% endemic.

Statistic 37

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, have 2,900 species, 50% endemic, but invasive species threaten 50+.

Statistic 38

The Sundarbans mangroves, India/Bangladesh, cover 10,000 km² with Bengal tiger habitat.

Statistic 39

California Floristic Province has 8,000 plants, 2,400 endemic, in fire-prone chaparral.

Statistic 40

New Caledonia nickel-rich soils host 3,400 plants, 75% endemic, many nickel hyperaccumulators.

Statistic 41

The Chocó-Darién-Western Ecuador wet forests have 11,000 plants, 2,500 endemic birds/mammals.

Statistic 42

Wallacea region, Indonesia, transitional zone with 15,000 plants, high marsupial-bird diversity.

Statistic 43

Polynesia-Micronesia hotspot has 5,300 plants, 52% endemic, across 4.9M km² ocean.

Statistic 44

The Himalaya hotspot spans 8 countries with 10,000 plants, 3,000 endemic, 316 mammals.

Statistic 45

Mesoamerica forests from Mexico to Panama host 17,000 plants, 8% global birds.

Statistic 46

Succulent Karoo, South Africa/Namibia, has 6,300 plants, 40% endemic in desert.

Statistic 47

Tumbesian region, Peru/Ecuador, dry forests with 600 birds, 30% endemic.

Statistic 48

Caucasus-Anatolian highlands have 6,500 plants, 25% endemic, bears/wolves.

Statistic 49

The Pantanal wetland, Brazil, largest in world at 150,000 km², 650 birds.

Statistic 50

Southwest Australia banksia woodlands, 1,500 plants, 60% endemic shrubs.

Statistic 51

Caribbean Islands hotspot, 11,000 plants, 7,000 endemic, 700 birds.

Statistic 52

Irrawaddy River delta mangroves support Irrawaddy dolphins in Myanmar.

Statistic 53

As of 2023 IUCN assessment, 45,307 species are on the Red List, with 42% of all assessed species threatened.

Statistic 54

41% of amphibians (8,011 species assessed) are threatened with extinction globally.

Statistic 55

26% of mammals (6,495 species) are threatened, including all big cats as vulnerable or worse.

Statistic 56

14% of birds (11,849 species) are threatened, with 182 critically endangered.

Statistic 57

37% of sharks and rays (1,199 species) are threatened due to overfishing.

Statistic 58

39% of assessed conifers (518 species) are threatened, highest among plant groups.

Statistic 59

28% of reef-building corals (907 species) are threatened by climate change.

Statistic 60

All 25 hylobatid gibbon species are listed as endangered or critically endangered.

Statistic 61

17% of freshwater fishes (4,330 species assessed) are threatened.

Statistic 62

85% of cycads (354 species) are threatened, making them the most endangered plant group.

Statistic 63

The ivory-billed woodpecker is critically endangered, possibly extinct, with no confirmed sightings since 1944.

Statistic 64

21% of reptiles (10,196 species) are threatened, with 296 critically endangered.

Statistic 65

All seven sea turtle species are classified as endangered or critically endangered.

Statistic 66

34% of assessed flowering plants (27,000+ species) are threatened.

Statistic 67

The Sumatran rhino is critically endangered with fewer than 80 individuals.

Statistic 68

50% of primates (504 species) are threatened, highest proportion among mammals.

Statistic 69

The European hamster is critically endangered due to agricultural intensification.

Statistic 70

23% of assessed molluscs (9,457 species) are threatened.

Statistic 71

All 8 bear species are threatened except the giant panda now vulnerable.

Statistic 72

The kagu is endangered with an extremely small population on New Caledonia.

Statistic 73

44% of assessed dragonflies (6,679 species) are threatened.

Statistic 74

The saola remains critically endangered since its 1992 discovery.

Statistic 75

31% of assessed cacti (1,978 species) are threatened.

Statistic 76

The Caribbean monk seal is extinct, one of 46 species lost since 1500.

Statistic 77

Over 50% of Madagascar's endemic reptiles (over 400 species) are threatened.

Statistic 78

As of 2023, the global population of the Vaquita porpoise is estimated at fewer than 10 individuals, down from around 600 in 1997, primarily due to illegal gillnet fishing in the Gulf of California.

Statistic 79

The Javan rhino population stands at just 72 individuals confined to Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia as of the latest 2023 census.

Statistic 80

Only 26 mature Amur leopards remain in the wild across Russia and China, a 75% decline since the 1970s due to poaching and habitat fragmentation.

Statistic 81

The Yangtze finless porpoise numbers approximately 1,010 individuals in 2023, reduced by 50% in the last decade from vessel strikes and pollution.

Statistic 82

Saola, a bovine species in Vietnam and Laos, has an estimated wild population of fewer than 100, with no confirmed sightings since 2013.

Statistic 83

The wild population of the Sumatran orangutan is around 14,000 as of 2022, having declined by over 80% in the past 75 years due to palm oil plantations.

Statistic 84

Cross River gorillas number fewer than 300 individuals scattered in fragmented forests of Nigeria and Cameroon in 2023.

Statistic 85

The hirola antelope in Kenya and Somalia has only about 500 individuals left, down from tens of thousands a century ago.

Statistic 86

Kakapo parrots in New Zealand total 252 individuals as of 2023, with intensive management preventing further decline from predation.

Statistic 87

The black-footed ferret in North America has around 370 individuals in the wild as of 2023, rebounding from near extinction in the 1980s.

Statistic 88

Gooty tarantula (Pococki) population is estimated at under 1,000 mature individuals in fragmented habitats of India and Sri Lanka.

Statistic 89

The wild Bactrian camel in Mongolia and China numbers about 950, threatened by mining and illegal hunting.

Statistic 90

Addax antelope in Chad has fewer than 500 individuals, with 90% decline in the last three generations from poaching.

Statistic 91

The population of the Philippine eagle is approximately 400 pairs, reduced by logging and hunting in the last 50 years.

Statistic 92

Markhor goats in Pakistan and Central Asia total around 2,500 mature individuals, up slightly from 1980s lows due to hunting bans.

Statistic 93

The vaquita's population has declined by 99% since 1997, with acoustic surveys detecting only 6-8 in 2023.

Statistic 94

Hawksbill sea turtle nests have decreased by 80% in key sites like the Caribbean over the past 50 years.

Statistic 95

The axolotl salamander in Mexico's Xochimilco lakes has declined by over 90% in 20 years due to urbanization.

Statistic 96

Wild coffee plants (Coffea spp.) have seen 60% population loss in Ethiopia due to climate change and deforestation.

Statistic 97

The gharial crocodile in India and Nepal numbers under 650 breeding adults in 2023.

Statistic 98

Tonkin snub-nosed monkey population is estimated at 200 individuals in Vietnam's karst forests.

Statistic 99

The number of mature hawksbill turtles has declined by 87% in the Indian Ocean over three generations.

Statistic 100

Kagu birds in New Caledonia total fewer than 600 individuals due to introduced predators.

Statistic 101

The wild population of Przewalski's horse is around 2,000, recovered from extinction in the wild in 1969.

Statistic 102

Yangtze giant softshell turtle has only 3 known individuals left worldwide as of 2023.

Statistic 103

The Socorro dove population is under 150 birds on Socorro Island, Mexico.

Statistic 104

Red wolf population in the US is about 20 in the wild, down from higher numbers post-reintroduction.

Statistic 105

The Attwater's prairie-chicken numbers around 1,000 individuals in Texas coastal prairies.

Statistic 106

Wild ass (kiang) in Tibet has declined by 50% in some areas due to competition with livestock.

Statistic 107

The population of the Sumatran tiger is estimated at 400-500 individuals in fragmented habitats.

Statistic 108

Habitat destruction from agriculture accounts for 70% of the decline in 60% of threatened mammal species worldwide.

Statistic 109

Poaching for the illegal wildlife trade threatens 35% of critically endangered species, with ivory demand driving elephant declines.

Statistic 110

Climate change is the primary threat to 41% of endangered plants in the US, altering flowering times and habitats.

Statistic 111

Invasive species cause 42% of extinctions in the US, predating or competing with natives like in Hawaii.

Statistic 112

Overfishing has led to 33% of global shark and ray species being threatened, with 37 critically endangered.

Statistic 113

Deforestation rates in the Amazon have caused a 20% loss of habitat for 1,300 threatened species since 1985.

Statistic 114

Pollution from plastics affects 60% of marine species, with entanglement killing 100,000 marine mammals annually.

Statistic 115

Disease outbreaks, like chytrid fungus, have caused 90 species of amphibians to go extinct since 1980.

Statistic 116

Illegal logging threatens 20% of all threatened tree species globally, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Statistic 117

Urban expansion has fragmented habitats for 25% of endangered birds in the Americas.

Statistic 118

Bycatch in fisheries kills over 300,000 cetaceans yearly, threatening vaquita and dolphins.

Statistic 119

Droughts linked to climate change have increased mortality by 30% in koala populations in Australia.

Statistic 120

Rodenticide poisoning via prey affects 70% of California condor deaths post-reintroduction.

Statistic 121

Coral bleaching from ocean warming has killed 14% of the world's reefs since 2009, impacting dependent species.

Statistic 122

Hydropower dams fragment habitats for 25% of Southeast Asian freshwater fish species.

Statistic 123

Oil spills and runoff pollute 40% of critical habitats for shorebirds in the Gulf of Mexico.

Statistic 124

Trophy hunting contributes to 15% of population declines in large African carnivores.

Statistic 125

Agricultural pesticides have caused 50% bee species decline in North America over 50 years.

Statistic 126

Roadkill accounts for 20% of amphibian mortality in urbanizing areas worldwide.

Statistic 127

Mining activities have destroyed 10% of habitats for 500 threatened species in the Andes.

Statistic 128

Wind farm collisions kill 500,000 to 1 million bats annually in the US.

Statistic 129

Invasive plants outcompete natives, affecting 30% of endangered Pacific island endemics.

Statistic 130

Overgrazing by livestock reduces forage for 40% of desert tortoise populations in the US Southwest.

1/130

Sources

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Picture a world where entire species are silently slipping towards oblivion, their numbers dwindling to a desperate few, as our blog post reveals a sobering reality: from the single-digit vaquita porpoise and fewer than 80 Sumatran rhinos to the broader crisis where 42% of all assessed species on Earth are now threatened with extinction.

Key Takeaways

As of 2023, the global population of the Vaquita porpoise is estimated at fewer than 10 individuals, down from around 600 in 1997, primarily due to illegal gillnet fishing in the Gulf of California.
The Javan rhino population stands at just 72 individuals confined to Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia as of the latest 2023 census.
Only 26 mature Amur leopards remain in the wild across Russia and China, a 75% decline since the 1970s due to poaching and habitat fragmentation.
Habitat destruction from agriculture accounts for 70% of the decline in 60% of threatened mammal species worldwide.
Poaching for the illegal wildlife trade threatens 35% of critically endangered species, with ivory demand driving elephant declines.
Climate change is the primary threat to 41% of endangered plants in the US, altering flowering times and habitats.
As of 2023 IUCN assessment, 45,307 species are on the Red List, with 42% of all assessed species threatened.
41% of amphibians (8,011 species assessed) are threatened with extinction globally.
26% of mammals (6,495 species) are threatened, including all big cats as vulnerable or worse.
The Amazon covers 40% of global tropical rainforest and hosts 10% of known biodiversity, but 17% deforested since 1970.
Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot, has 90% endemic species but only 10% primary forest remaining.
The Coral Triangle spans 6 countries with 76% of world's coral species and 2,228 reef fish species.
Reintroduction of 22 California condors in 1987 has grown to 537 total, 337 wild.
Black-footed ferret captive breeding released 6,000+ since 1991, 370 wild now.
Giant panda downgraded from endangered to vulnerable in 2016 due to 17% population increase to 1,864.

Many species are critically endangered, but conservation efforts can sometimes help them recover.

Conservation Successes

Reintroduction of 22 California condors in 1987 has grown to 537 total, 337 wild.
Black-footed ferret captive breeding released 6,000+ since 1991, 370 wild now.
Giant panda downgraded from endangered to vulnerable in 2016 due to 17% population increase to 1,864.
American bald eagle recovered from 417 pairs in 1963 to 316,000+ today via DDT ban.
Przewalski's horse reintroduced to Mongolia, now 2,000 wild from captivity.
Kakapo parrot intensive management raised from 51 in 1995 to 252 in 2023.
Markhor population increased 75% since 1980s hunting bans in Pakistan to 2,500+.
Arabian oryx reintroduced after extinction in wild, now 1,000+ in Oman reserves.
Channel Island fox delisted in 2016 after captive breeding saved from 99% decline.
Red kite in UK from 1 pair in 1903 to 10,000+ via reintroduction.
Saiga antelope rebounded from 48,000 in 2005 to 1.3M in 2020 via disease management.
Humpback whales increased 20-fold since 1966 whaling moratorium to 80,000+.
Puerto Rican parrot from 13 in 1968 to 300+ wild via aviary breeding.
Whooping crane from 16 in 1941 to 803 total, 110 wild non-migratory.
Snow leopard surveys show 20% increase in Bhutan protected areas since 2016.
Virginia northern flying squirrel delisted in 2013 after habitat restoration.
Brown pelican delisted in 2009 after DDT ban and oil spill response.
Golden lion tamarin from 200 in 1980s to 1,400+ wild in Brazil fragments.
European bison reintroduced to 7,500 wild from near extinction.
Kihansi spray toad captive breeding aims for reintroduction after wild extinction.
Mauritius kestrel from 4 in 1974 to 800+ today via island management.
California red-legged frog habitat restoration aided 20% population growth.
Bongo antelope captive programs support wild populations in West Africa.
Pink pigeon Mauritius increased from 10 to 400+ via predator control.
Maned wolf in Brazil benefited from road underpasses reducing mortality 40%.
Captive breeding of Partula snails reintroduced 10 species to French Polynesia.
Sonoran pronghorn increased from 21 in 2002 to 200+ via water projects.

Conservation Successes Interpretation

For all our self-inflicted wounds, these stories prove that when we finally decide to play doctor instead than destroyer, nature's resilience—and our own clumsy, costly, but determined efforts—can write a second act.

Geographic Ranges

The Amazon covers 40% of global tropical rainforest and hosts 10% of known biodiversity, but 17% deforested since 1970.
Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot, has 90% endemic species but only 10% primary forest remaining.
The Coral Triangle spans 6 countries with 76% of world's coral species and 2,228 reef fish species.
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, 2,300 km long, supports 1,500 fish species but lost 50% corals since 1950.
The Congo Basin rainforest, second largest, harbors 10,000 plant species, 1,000 birds, 400 mammals.
Hawaii has 10,000 endemic species, but 40% of US endangered species are there due to isolation.
The Cape Floristic Region in South Africa has 9,000 plant species, 70% endemic, in 0.04% land area.
Indo-Burma hotspot spans 8 countries with 13,500 plants, 25% threatened, covering 2.3M km².
The Atlantic Forest in Brazil, now 12% original cover, hosts 20,000 plant species, 40% endemic.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, have 2,900 species, 50% endemic, but invasive species threaten 50+.
The Sundarbans mangroves, India/Bangladesh, cover 10,000 km² with Bengal tiger habitat.
California Floristic Province has 8,000 plants, 2,400 endemic, in fire-prone chaparral.
New Caledonia nickel-rich soils host 3,400 plants, 75% endemic, many nickel hyperaccumulators.
The Chocó-Darién-Western Ecuador wet forests have 11,000 plants, 2,500 endemic birds/mammals.
Wallacea region, Indonesia, transitional zone with 15,000 plants, high marsupial-bird diversity.
Polynesia-Micronesia hotspot has 5,300 plants, 52% endemic, across 4.9M km² ocean.
The Himalaya hotspot spans 8 countries with 10,000 plants, 3,000 endemic, 316 mammals.
Mesoamerica forests from Mexico to Panama host 17,000 plants, 8% global birds.
Succulent Karoo, South Africa/Namibia, has 6,300 plants, 40% endemic in desert.
Tumbesian region, Peru/Ecuador, dry forests with 600 birds, 30% endemic.
Caucasus-Anatolian highlands have 6,500 plants, 25% endemic, bears/wolves.
The Pantanal wetland, Brazil, largest in world at 150,000 km², 650 birds.
Southwest Australia banksia woodlands, 1,500 plants, 60% endemic shrubs.
Caribbean Islands hotspot, 11,000 plants, 7,000 endemic, 700 birds.
Irrawaddy River delta mangroves support Irrawaddy dolphins in Myanmar.

Geographic Ranges Interpretation

We are meticulously documenting the end of our world's most spectacular masterpieces, converting paradise into an inventory of loss.

IUCN Red List Status

As of 2023 IUCN assessment, 45,307 species are on the Red List, with 42% of all assessed species threatened.
41% of amphibians (8,011 species assessed) are threatened with extinction globally.
26% of mammals (6,495 species) are threatened, including all big cats as vulnerable or worse.
14% of birds (11,849 species) are threatened, with 182 critically endangered.
37% of sharks and rays (1,199 species) are threatened due to overfishing.
39% of assessed conifers (518 species) are threatened, highest among plant groups.
28% of reef-building corals (907 species) are threatened by climate change.
All 25 hylobatid gibbon species are listed as endangered or critically endangered.
17% of freshwater fishes (4,330 species assessed) are threatened.
85% of cycads (354 species) are threatened, making them the most endangered plant group.
The ivory-billed woodpecker is critically endangered, possibly extinct, with no confirmed sightings since 1944.
21% of reptiles (10,196 species) are threatened, with 296 critically endangered.
All seven sea turtle species are classified as endangered or critically endangered.
34% of assessed flowering plants (27,000+ species) are threatened.
The Sumatran rhino is critically endangered with fewer than 80 individuals.
50% of primates (504 species) are threatened, highest proportion among mammals.
The European hamster is critically endangered due to agricultural intensification.
23% of assessed molluscs (9,457 species) are threatened.
All 8 bear species are threatened except the giant panda now vulnerable.
The kagu is endangered with an extremely small population on New Caledonia.
44% of assessed dragonflies (6,679 species) are threatened.
The saola remains critically endangered since its 1992 discovery.
31% of assessed cacti (1,978 species) are threatened.
The Caribbean monk seal is extinct, one of 46 species lost since 1500.
Over 50% of Madagascar's endemic reptiles (over 400 species) are threatened.

IUCN Red List Status Interpretation

The grim tally of vanishing life is a testament to our era: with 42% of all assessed species now threatened, the planet's web of life is fraying catastrophically at nearly every thread, from half of all primates to the silent forests missing their woodpeckers.

Population Decline

As of 2023, the global population of the Vaquita porpoise is estimated at fewer than 10 individuals, down from around 600 in 1997, primarily due to illegal gillnet fishing in the Gulf of California.
The Javan rhino population stands at just 72 individuals confined to Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia as of the latest 2023 census.
Only 26 mature Amur leopards remain in the wild across Russia and China, a 75% decline since the 1970s due to poaching and habitat fragmentation.
The Yangtze finless porpoise numbers approximately 1,010 individuals in 2023, reduced by 50% in the last decade from vessel strikes and pollution.
Saola, a bovine species in Vietnam and Laos, has an estimated wild population of fewer than 100, with no confirmed sightings since 2013.
The wild population of the Sumatran orangutan is around 14,000 as of 2022, having declined by over 80% in the past 75 years due to palm oil plantations.
Cross River gorillas number fewer than 300 individuals scattered in fragmented forests of Nigeria and Cameroon in 2023.
The hirola antelope in Kenya and Somalia has only about 500 individuals left, down from tens of thousands a century ago.
Kakapo parrots in New Zealand total 252 individuals as of 2023, with intensive management preventing further decline from predation.
The black-footed ferret in North America has around 370 individuals in the wild as of 2023, rebounding from near extinction in the 1980s.
Gooty tarantula (Pococki) population is estimated at under 1,000 mature individuals in fragmented habitats of India and Sri Lanka.
The wild Bactrian camel in Mongolia and China numbers about 950, threatened by mining and illegal hunting.
Addax antelope in Chad has fewer than 500 individuals, with 90% decline in the last three generations from poaching.
The population of the Philippine eagle is approximately 400 pairs, reduced by logging and hunting in the last 50 years.
Markhor goats in Pakistan and Central Asia total around 2,500 mature individuals, up slightly from 1980s lows due to hunting bans.
The vaquita's population has declined by 99% since 1997, with acoustic surveys detecting only 6-8 in 2023.
Hawksbill sea turtle nests have decreased by 80% in key sites like the Caribbean over the past 50 years.
The axolotl salamander in Mexico's Xochimilco lakes has declined by over 90% in 20 years due to urbanization.
Wild coffee plants (Coffea spp.) have seen 60% population loss in Ethiopia due to climate change and deforestation.
The gharial crocodile in India and Nepal numbers under 650 breeding adults in 2023.
Tonkin snub-nosed monkey population is estimated at 200 individuals in Vietnam's karst forests.
The number of mature hawksbill turtles has declined by 87% in the Indian Ocean over three generations.
Kagu birds in New Caledonia total fewer than 600 individuals due to introduced predators.
The wild population of Przewalski's horse is around 2,000, recovered from extinction in the wild in 1969.
Yangtze giant softshell turtle has only 3 known individuals left worldwide as of 2023.
The Socorro dove population is under 150 birds on Socorro Island, Mexico.
Red wolf population in the US is about 20 in the wild, down from higher numbers post-reintroduction.
The Attwater's prairie-chicken numbers around 1,000 individuals in Texas coastal prairies.
Wild ass (kiang) in Tibet has declined by 50% in some areas due to competition with livestock.
The population of the Sumatran tiger is estimated at 400-500 individuals in fragmented habitats.

Population Decline Interpretation

This sobering roster of our planet's most critically endangered species reads like a cosmic game of Jenga where every block pulled is a tragedy of our own making, and the tower is now teetering with an almost audible groan.

Primary Threats

Habitat destruction from agriculture accounts for 70% of the decline in 60% of threatened mammal species worldwide.
Poaching for the illegal wildlife trade threatens 35% of critically endangered species, with ivory demand driving elephant declines.
Climate change is the primary threat to 41% of endangered plants in the US, altering flowering times and habitats.
Invasive species cause 42% of extinctions in the US, predating or competing with natives like in Hawaii.
Overfishing has led to 33% of global shark and ray species being threatened, with 37 critically endangered.
Deforestation rates in the Amazon have caused a 20% loss of habitat for 1,300 threatened species since 1985.
Pollution from plastics affects 60% of marine species, with entanglement killing 100,000 marine mammals annually.
Disease outbreaks, like chytrid fungus, have caused 90 species of amphibians to go extinct since 1980.
Illegal logging threatens 20% of all threatened tree species globally, particularly in Southeast Asia.
Urban expansion has fragmented habitats for 25% of endangered birds in the Americas.
Bycatch in fisheries kills over 300,000 cetaceans yearly, threatening vaquita and dolphins.
Droughts linked to climate change have increased mortality by 30% in koala populations in Australia.
Rodenticide poisoning via prey affects 70% of California condor deaths post-reintroduction.
Coral bleaching from ocean warming has killed 14% of the world's reefs since 2009, impacting dependent species.
Hydropower dams fragment habitats for 25% of Southeast Asian freshwater fish species.
Oil spills and runoff pollute 40% of critical habitats for shorebirds in the Gulf of Mexico.
Trophy hunting contributes to 15% of population declines in large African carnivores.
Agricultural pesticides have caused 50% bee species decline in North America over 50 years.
Roadkill accounts for 20% of amphibian mortality in urbanizing areas worldwide.
Mining activities have destroyed 10% of habitats for 500 threatened species in the Andes.
Wind farm collisions kill 500,000 to 1 million bats annually in the US.
Invasive plants outcompete natives, affecting 30% of endangered Pacific island endemics.
Overgrazing by livestock reduces forage for 40% of desert tortoise populations in the US Southwest.

Primary Threats Interpretation

Humanity's signature on the planet appears to be a multi-pronged attack, where our pursuits in food, comfort, and profit are systematically dismantling the natural world, species by species, from the treetops to the ocean floor.

Sources & References

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