The Wild Horse (Equus ferus) previously was listed as Extinct in the Wild, but as a result of ongoing reintroduction efforts it is now showing signs of improvement and has moved down a category to Critically Endangered. Photo, IUCN; Patricia Moehlman

Barcelona, Spain (GenevaLunch) - Gland-based IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) is bringing together 8,000 “world’s leading decision-makers in sustainable development” at its World Conservation Congress, 5-15 October. The congress had a colourful opening session but quickly settled down to business as the group issued its latest red list for the world’s animals: one in four, or 1,141 of the 5,487 mammals on Earth now risk extinction.

Habitat loss, degradation and over-harvesting are taking their toll on animals around the world, with 29 species having reached the stage where it may be too late to save them. But the IUCN offers a glimmer of hope through the example of China’s Père David’s Deer (Elaphurus davidianus), “listed as Extinct in the Wild. However, the captive and semi-captive populations have increased in recent years and it is possible that truly wild populations could be re-established soon.”

Among the animals listed as Endangered: the Tasmanian Devil ((Sarcophilus harrisii), which has been reduced by 60% in 10 years due to an infectious facial cancer; the Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), found in Southeast Asia, due to habitat loss in wetlands; and the Caspian Seal (Pusa caspica) also due to habitat loss.

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