what animals are going to be extinct in 2025

Vender Womder

2 min read

·

27-11-2024

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No Animals Are Predicted to Go Extinct in 2025

It's crucial to address the headline directly: no reputable scientific organization predicts any animal species will go completely extinct in 2025. While many species face severe threats and are critically endangered, extinction is a complex process that unfolds over time, rarely happening abruptly in a single year. The phrasing of the question itself reflects a common misunderstanding of the extinction process.

Instead of focusing on a specific year like 2025, it's more accurate and helpful to discuss species facing imminent extinction risks and the factors driving those risks. These factors, if left unchecked, will undoubtedly lead to extinctions in the coming years and decades.

Understanding Extinction Risk

Extinction is a gradual process. A species might be declared functionally extinct (no longer able to reproduce) years before its final individual dies. Organizations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assess species' extinction risk using categories like:

• Least Concern: Low risk of extinction.
• Near Threatened: May become threatened in the near future.
• Vulnerable: High risk of extinction in the medium-term future.
• Endangered: Very high risk of extinction in the near future.
• Critically Endangered: Extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future.

Many species currently categorized as Critically Endangered are teetering on the brink, and their survival is far from guaranteed. However, predicting the exact year of their extinction is impossible.

Species Facing Imminent Extinction Risks

Several animals are facing extremely high extinction risks, and their populations could collapse within the next few decades if conservation efforts fail:

• Amur Leopard: Habitat loss and poaching have decimated this magnificent cat's population.
• Cross River Gorilla: Hunting and habitat destruction continue to threaten this critically endangered great ape.
• Sumatran Orangutan: Deforestation for palm oil plantations is a major driver of their decline.
• Saola (Asian Unicorn): This elusive creature is incredibly rare and faces threats from habitat loss and poaching.
• Vaquita: This critically endangered porpoise is caught unintentionally in gillnets designed for another fish species.

Factors Driving Extinction

Numerous factors contribute to the decline of these and countless other species:

• Habitat Loss: Deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion destroy crucial habitats.
• Climate Change: Changing weather patterns and extreme events threaten species' survival.
• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: The illegal hunting and trade of wildlife for their body parts or as pets decimate populations.
• Pollution: Water, air, and soil pollution contaminate ecosystems and harm wildlife.
• Invasive Species: Non-native species can outcompete native animals for resources or introduce diseases.

What Can Be Done?

The situation is dire, but not hopeless. Effective conservation strategies are crucial, including:

• Protected Areas: Establishing and maintaining protected areas safeguards crucial habitats.
• Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade: Strengthening anti-poaching efforts and reducing demand for wildlife products.
• Sustainable Practices: Promoting sustainable agriculture, forestry, and fishing practices.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow the effects of climate change.
• Raising Awareness: Educating the public about the importance of biodiversity and conservation.

Focusing on the specific actions needed to protect critically endangered species is far more effective than focusing on an arbitrary year like 2025. The future of many animals depends on immediate, concerted global efforts.