Endangered species

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An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters. An endangered species is usually a taxonomic species, but may be another evolutionary significant unit. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has calculated the percentage of endangered species as 40 percent of all organisms based on the sample of species that have been evaluated through 2006. (Note: the IUCN groups all threatened species for their summary purposes.) Many nations have laws offering protection to conservation reliant species: for example, forbidding hunting, restricting land development or creating preserves. Only a few of the many species at risk of extinction actually make it to the lists and obtain legal protection. Many more species become extinct, or potentially will become extinct, without gaining public notice.

For more information about Endangered species, read the full article at Wikipedia.
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News tagged with endangered species


Handout photo from the World Wildlife Fund in Malaysia shows a pangolin climbing a tree

Malaysian authorities rescue 130 pangolins

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 20, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Malaysian wildlife authorities said they have rescued 130 pangolins and arrested two men attempting to smuggle the protected species, destined to be sold to restaurants and medicine shops.





Search results for endangered species


African leaf-eating monkeys are 'likely to be wiped out' by climate change

African leaf-eating monkeys are 'likely to be wiped out' by climate change

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 18, 2009 | popularity 3.3 / 5 (7) | comments 4

(PhysOrg.com) -- Monkey species will become 'increasingly at risk of extinction' because of global warming, according to new research published this week.


French scientist Herwan Amire shows two pink winkle in Xelha's Cove,  south of Cancun

Mexico's conch shells yield clues into effects of warming

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Divers plumb the turquoise depths of ocean waters some 100 kilometers south of this vacation paradise, in search of the distinctive queen conch shell prized by vacationers and souvenir-seekers.


Turtles' Christmas journey tracked by scientists

Turtles' Christmas journey tracked by scientists

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 23, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

The journeys of two marine turtles around the world's oceans will be available to view online this Christmas, thanks to a new research project launched by the University of Exeter.


Kew botanists discover more than 250 new plant species in 250th anniversary year

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Giant rainforest trees, rare and beautiful orchids, spectacular palms, minute fungi, wild coffees and an ancient aquatic plant are among more than 250 new plant and fungi species discovered and described by botanists from ...



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