Reptiles And Cacti Closer To Extinction

Species

Classification

Reason for Concern

• Endangered

• It has been reclassified as endangered from near threatened due to a 50% population decline since 2010, attributed to the invasive horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis) which is occupying its territory.

Gran Canaria skink (Chalcides sexlineatus)

• Endangered 

• The status of the both species have been changed from least concern to endangered. 
• Both species found in Gran Canaria, an island in Spain, face extinction threats from the California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) introduced in 1998. 
• Both species have seen population declines exceeding 50% since 2014.

• Critically Endangered

• The IUCN also raises concerns about the illegal trade of ornamental cacti.  
• Endemic to Chile’s Atacama desert, 82% of its species are now critically endangered, a significant increase from 55% in 2013. 
• Infrastructure development further endangers these slow-growing plants.
• People’s easy accessibility has made it possible to reach poachers. 

About International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

IUCN brings together governments and civil society organisations, united under the common goal of protecting nature and conserving life on Earth.

• Establishment: In 1948
• Headquarters: Switzerland
• Evaluation: It uses a set of quantitative criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of species.

About Red List

The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species.

• Establishment: In 1964 
• Critical Indicator: The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity.
• Categories under Red List: Refer image