The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List "is the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species and their links to livelihoods. Far more than a list of species and their status, it is a powerful tool to inform and catalyse action for biodiversity conservation and policy change - critical to protecting the natural resources we need to survive." [source : IUCN Webpage]
The list has recently been updated, encompassing 77,345 assessed species, 22,784 of which are sadly threatened with extinction. This is particularly sad for the African Golden Cat, the New Zealand Sea Lion and the Lion which are facing increasing threats to their survival. For more information you can access the list here.
NOT ALL BAD NEWS
There are, however some good news stories too, one of which being a matter close at heart for me. That is the success story of the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) . After 6 long decades of decline, the population of the Iberian Lynx has increased 3-fold, from 52 mature individuals in 2002, to 156 at the last census in 2012, shifting it from the Critically Endangered to Endangered category. This is a great start, but there is still a long way to go.
At this point I would love to have a photo of the Lynx, but I do not have one... yet! This news gives me renewed hopes to one day being able to see this amazing creature in the wild, and maybe even photograph it! Fingers crossed!
The Guadalupe Fur Seal also saw an increase in their population. More details on the new list can be found here.