Conservation
How many endangered species are there?
IUCN lists 42,000+ threatened species — Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered — and the true number is likely higher.
In brief
The IUCN Red List assesses more than 42,000 species as threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered) — including plants, fungi and animals. Over 1,300 mammals and thousands of amphibians and reptiles are threatened.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
IUCN Red List assesses more than 42,000 species as threatened across plants, fungi and animals. Mammals over 1,300; amphibians disproportionately threatened. Many species Not Evaluated — published totals undercount risk. Habitat loss and overexploitation dominate terrestrial threats. Status updates as populations recover or decline — conservation action moves species between categories.
42,000+
Threatened species all taxa (IUCN)
1,300+
Threatened mammals
40%
Amphibians threatened approx.
150K+
Total species assessed on Red List
Quick facts
| Categories | VU, EN, CR — before EW and EX |
|---|---|
| Not Evaluated | No assessment ≠ safe — most fungi/invertebrates |
| Drivers | Habitat loss, overexploitation, climate, pollution |
| Updates | Reassessed continuously — status can improve |
| Primates | ~60% threatened — highest mammal share |
| Policy | CITES and governments use Red List data |
Key takeaways
- 42,000+ threatened species on IUCN Red List.
- 1,300+ mammals — see mammal threatened answer.
- Many Not Evaluated — true risk likely higher.
- Amphibians ~40% threatened — highest major group share.
- Status can improve with conservation — not fixed.
- WARN cites IUCN per species on wildlife guides.
Understanding the headline number
42,000+ threatened includes orchids, corals, insects and mammals — not only charismatic megafauna. Total assessed 150,000+ species — fraction of world biodiversity described let alone evaluated. New assessments add species to threatened list because first time measured not only because declined — headline rise reflects assessment effort too. Still genuine crisis — extinction rates orders magnitude above background.
Taxonomic patterns
Amphibians roughly forty percent threatened — chytrid and habitat loss. Reef corals bleaching climate driver. Birds many threatened but lower percentage than mammals in some analyses. Invertebrates understudied — likely many Data Deficient actually imperilled. Plants thousands threatened — orchid trade and deforestation. Single number hides taxonomic unevenness — donor prioritisation uses Critically Endangered with recovery potential.
Recovery possible
Southern white rhino, humpback whale, bald eagle improved with protection — IUCN status upgraded when data confirm. Black-footed ferret, Arabian oryx EW recovery narratives — expensive long term. Without funding species slide CR to EW to EX — northern white rhino functional extinction warning. Red List not prophecy — policy choice encoded in trends.
WARN citation practice
WARN wildlife guides cite IUCN status per species with year assessed — see what is IUCN Red List and how many mammal species threatened for depth. Donors asking endangered totals should read registration status for CIC honesty — gifts not Gift Aid eligible — before comparing charity appeals. Habitat and anti-poaching appeals link abstract numbers to field actions.