Three species of Arctic seal are closer to extinction and more than half of bird species globally, are on the decline.
This is a grim picture painted in the latest update of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, presented at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, this week.
Of the 172,620 species listed, about 48,646 are threatened with extinction.
The good news is that the global green sea turtle population, is on the rebound.
Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, said “today’s Red List update, launched at the IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi, shines a light on both the urgent challenges and the powerful possibilities before us. While species like Arctic seals and many birds face growing threats, the recovery of the green turtle reminds us that conservation works when we act with determination and unity. As we look ahead to the Climate COP in Belém, governments and communities have a pivotal opportunity to accelerate action that protects biodiversity, stabilises our climate, and builds a future where people and nature flourish together.”
The report also showed how climate change is pushing species in the Arctic to the brink of being endangered, such as the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), while the bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) have moved from Least Concern to Near Threatened.
The primary threat to Arctic seals is sea ice loss driven by global warming.
There, the evidence of warming, is happening four times faster, than anywhere else, leading to a reduction in the extent and duration of sea ice cover. This directly threatens all ice-dependent seals, walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) and other marine mammals.
Additional pressures on Arctic seals are shipping, noise, oil and mineral exploitation, hunting, and by-catch in fisheries.
In addition, BirdLife International studies shared at the Congress, show a concerning pattern. About 61% of bird species have nosedived, from 44% in 2016.
Studies also showed how the loss of birds can be traced back to the threat of tropical forests in Madagascar, West Africa, and Central America.
Closer to home, in Madagascar, about 14 endemic forest bird species were uplisted to Near Threatened and three to Vulnerable, including the Schlegel’s asity (Philepitta schlegeli), whose males have vibrant blue and green face wattles.
In West Africa, five species are now Near Threatened, including the black-casqued hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata), which is also hunted and traded.
Picture: Active Wild