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. IUCN Red List assesses more than 42,000 species as threatened across plants, fungi and animals.
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.