Mammals in critical condition
6 October 2008
A quarter of the world's mammals are now threatened with extinction according to new findings. The most comprehensive study to date paints a bleak picture of the future for mammals. Antenna assesses the situation...
This research will be published in the journal Science on 10 October 2008
This research will be published in the journal Science on 10 October 2008
The Giant Panda - one of the 5487 mammal species in the world.
Image: Nature picture library/Lynn M.Stone
Over 1700 scientists have mapped the population of each mammal, including an additional 700 species since the last study in 1996. Many marine mammals have been included - assessing their risk of extinction for the first time.
Over a third of marine mammals are now classified as threatened.
Image: morguefile.com/Matthew Hull
Jan Schipper, who led the study, explains: 'Half the world's mammals are in decline with 188 species only one step away from extinction. And it could be too late for another 29 mammals - there's no evidence that they still exist.'
Jan Schipper, mammal scientist, International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Image: Catherine Rideout
So what's causing the decline?
Loss of habitat and hunting are the main threat to land mammals. Marine mammals are at risk from fishing and collisions with boats. Chemical pollution and rubbish dumped in the sea are also a hazard.
Many mammals that rely on sea ice are affected by climate change.
Image: Nature picture library/Terry Andrewartha
Is it all doom and gloom?
'This review has highlighted our lack of knowledge' explains conservationist Stephen Harris from Bristol University. 'A fifth of all mammals have only been found since 1992 and we are probably losing mammals that have never been discovered.'
The scimitar horned oryx: one of two animals that now exist only in captivity.
Image: Wikipedia commons
He reassures us 'It's clear that conservation helps rare species. This study has shown areas and animals of concern that will help focus future efforts. With the will, it is perfectly possible to stop or reverse the decline of many mammals.'
Conservation efforts can help mammal populations recover.
Image: istockphoto.com