Extinct in the wild

Short description: IUCN conservation category

Template:Conservation status A species that is extinct in the wild (EW) is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as only consisting of living members kept in captivity or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.[1][2] Classification requires exhaustive surveys conducted within the species' known habitat with consideration given to seasonality, time of day, and life cycle.[2][3] Once a species is classified as EW, the only way for it to be downgraded[3] is through reintroduction.[3][4]

Not all EW species are rare. An example is the Brugmansia genus, where all seven species are widely cultivated, but none are found in the wild.[5]

## Contents

* 1 Examples
* 2 Conservation
* 2.1 Species reintroduction
* 2.2 IUCN Green Status of Species
* 2.3 Flagship species
* 3 See also
* 4 References
* 5 External links

## Examples

The Guam kingfisher has been listed as extinct in the wild since 1986. The Moorean viviparous tree snail has been listed as extinct in the wild since 2009. Brugmansia versicolor (angel's trumpet) has been listed as extinct in the wild since 2014. The Kihansi spray toad has been listed as extinct in the wild since 2014.

Examples of species and subspecies that are extinct in the wild include (in alphabetical order):

* Abutilon pitcairnense (last surviving plant destroyed in 2005)[6]
* Alagoas curassow (last unconfirmed sighting reported in the late 1980s, listed extinct in the wild since 1994)[7]
* Corypha taliera (last tree cut down in 1979)[8]
* Christmas Island blue-tailed skink (listed extinct in the wild since 2014)[9]
* Dabry's sturgeon (listed extinct in the wild since 2022)[10]
* Escarpment cycad (listed extinct in the wild since 2006)[11]
* Franklinia alatamaha (last seen in 1803, listed extinct in the wild since 1998)[12]
* Golden skiffia (listed extinct in the wild since 1996)[13]
* Guam kingfisher (listed extinct in the wild since 1986)[14]
* Hawaiian crow or ʻalalā (last seen in 2002, listed as extinct in the wild since 2004)[15] Small groups have since been released in 2017[16][17] and 2018.[18]
* Kihansi spray toad (listed extinct in the wild since 2009)[19]
* La Palma pupfish (last seen in 1994, listed extinct in the wild since 1996)[20]
* Lister's gecko (listed extinct in the wild since 2014)[21]
* Oahu deceptor bush cricket (listed extinct in the wild since 1996)[22]
* Panamanian golden frog (possibly extinct in the wild)[23]
* Père David's deer (listed extinct in the wild since 2008.[24] However, reintroduction from captive populations began in 1985, with 53 wild herds of varying sizes being recorded in 2003)[25]
* Partula species (listed extinct in the wild in the 1990s):
* Niho tree snail
* Miracle Partula
* Moorean Smooth Partula
* Sutural Partula
* Rose-tipped Partula
* Garrett's Partula
* Raiatea ground Partula
* Pink Partula
* Variable Partula
* Simandoa conserfariam [26]
* Socorro dove (listed extinct in the wild since 1994)[27]
* Socorro isopod (last seen in 1988, listed as extinct in the wild since August 1996)[28]
* South China tiger (since 2008 IUCN Red List lists as critically endangered; possibly extinct in the wild)[29][30]
* Spix's macaw (listed extinct in the wild since June 2019)[31]
* Wyoming toad (listed extinct in the wild since 1991, although 853 have been released into the wild since 1995, leading to a population of around 1,500 in 2017)[32]

## Conservation

Main article: Biology:Wildlife conservation

### Species reintroduction

Main article: Biology:Species reintroduction

Reintroduction is the deliberate release of individuals into the wild, from captivity or from other areas where the species survives. However, it may be difficult to reintroduce EW species into the wild, even if their natural habitats were restored, because survival techniques, which are often passed from parents to offspring during parenting, may have been lost. Reintroduction efforts, also referred to as translocation, are complex and a common source of complication is how animals behave upon release.[33] Climate suitability has been shown to influence reintroduction outcomes as well.[34] Though many efforts translocate populations to historic ranges, climate change may be causing those previously inhabited areas to no longer be suitable for the species.[34]

Przewalski's horse has been reintroduced, its status going from extinct in the wild to endangered.

The Przewalski's horse was downgraded from EW to Endangered in 2011 after decades of reintroduction efforts.[35] In China, they are still classified as EW since they are given supplemental feed over the winter to aid survival.[35] Of the 2500 living, about 1360 are in the wild, and all 2500 are descended from 12 wild-caught ancestors, causing an inbreeding depression that contributes to factors, such as shorter lifespans and high mortality, that impede conservation.[35]

A northern white rhino, an EW species, at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Northern white rhinos have been extinct in the wild since 2007, and only two females remain in captivity.[36] The San Diego Zoo Global is planning to save the species by using living cells from 12 rhinos that have been cryopreserved, turning them into stem cell lines, using in vitro fertilization to create embryos, and then having Southern white rhinos serve as surrogates.[36] Currently, there have been no successful embryo transfers in rhinos.[36] It is estimated to take at least 40 years for the target of 25–40 northern white rhinos to be reached.[36]

Some people critique efforts to save species with such small populations due to the possibility of inbreeding as it can reduce the population growth rate.[37] Small effective population sizes are another critique. Effective population size is a measurement of the loss of genetic diversity.[38] Multiple populations have been found to have an effective population size below conservation goals.[38] Additionally, monitoring effective population size and using it to aid estimations of the success of conservation efforts has been shown to provide a better overview of determining population trends when compared to population size.[39]

### IUCN Green Status of Species

Main article: Biology:IUCN Green Status of Species

The IUCN developed a system of classifying species recovery efforts in 2012 entitled the Green Status.[40] The species recovery score is a 0%–100% scale, with 0% being the species is extinct or extinct in the wild and 100% being fully recovered.[40] In addition, the Green Status also classifies previous and future conservation impacts with the Green Scores of Conservation Dependency, Conservation Gain, Conservation Legacy, and Recovery Potential.[40][41]

For a species to receive a score of 100% and be considered fully recovered, three requirements must be met: the species must be present in all areas of both its current and historical range, it is viable in all areas of the range, and performs its ecological niche across the full range.[41] Given the lofty standards, many species are not expected to meet the criteria and it is not a goal of this system. Land use changes have cumulated in many species losing habitat.[41]

Green Scores are snapshots in time to assess a species' current status and how conservation efforts have influenced their status.[41] It is also predictive as it can project how the status would change if conservation efforts ceased or continued.[41] Conservation Legacy assess how previous conservation work has changed or maintained a species' status. The score ranges from high to low with low meaning conservation efforts were ineffective or did not occur.[41] Conservation Dependency is the estimate of a species' status in 10 years if conservation efforts halted. High dependency means the species would have a lower status and low dependency equates to the status not changing.[41] Conservation Gain is the flip side. It projects a species' status in 10 years if conservation efforts continue.[41] Both dependence and gain are considered short-term measures. The long-term measure is Recovery Potential, which is how much of the range is estimated to be able to house ecologically functional populations.[41]

### Flagship species

Main article: Biology:Flagship species

Lonesome George

The Pinta Island tortoise (Geochelone nigra abingdoni) had only one living individual, named Lonesome George, until his death in June 2012.[42] The tortoise was believed to be extinct in the mid-20th century, until Hungarian malacologist József Vágvölgyi spotted Lonesome George on the Galapagos island of Pinta on 1 December 1971. Since then, Lonesome George has been a powerful symbol for conservation efforts in general and for the Galapagos Islands in particular.[43] With his death on 24 June 2012, the subspecies is again believed to be extinct.[44] With the discovery of 17 hybrid Pinta tortoises located at nearby Wolf Volcano, a plan has been made to attempt to breed the subspecies back into a pure state.[45]

## See also

* IUCN Red List extinct in the wild species for a list by taxonomy
* Category:IUCN Red List extinct in the wild species for an alphabetical list
* Ex situ conservation
* Extinction
* Ecological extinction
* Lists of extinct species
* Local extinction
* Nature conservation
* Wildlife conservation

## References

1. ↑ "2001 IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1". IUCN. p. 14. https://www.iucnredlist.org/documents/redlist_cats_crit_en.pdf.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria". https://www.iucnredlist.org/.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 IUCN. (2003). Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional Levels: Version 3.0. IUCN Species Survival Commission. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. ii + 26 pp.
4. ↑ "Reasons for Changing Category". https://www.iucnredlist.org/assessment/reasons-changing-category.
5. ↑ Petruzzello, Melissa. "Extinct in the Wild but Still Around: 5 Plants and Animals Kept Alive by Humans". https://www.britannica.com/list/extinct-in-the-wild-but-still-around-5-plants-and-animals-kept-alive-by-humans.
6. ↑ Bárrios, S.; Smyth, N. (2018). "Abutilon pitcairnense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T122926206A122926208.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/122926206/122926208.
7. ↑ BirdLife International (2018). "Mitu mitu". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22678486A132315266.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22678486/132315266.
8. ↑ Johnson, D. (1998). "Corypha taliera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1998. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T38493A10118302.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/38493/10118302.
9. ↑ Woinarski, J.C.Z.; Cogger, H.; Mitchell, N.M.; Emery, J. (2017). "Cryptoblepharus egeriae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T102327291A102327566.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/102327291/102327566.
10. ↑ Qiwei, W. (2022). "Acipenser dabryanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T231A61462199.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/231/61462199.
11. ↑ Donaldson, J.S. (2010). "Encephalartos brevifoliolatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41882A10566751.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41882/10566751.
12. ↑ Rivers, M.C. (2015). "Franklinia alatamaha". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T30408A62077322.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/30408/62077322.
13. ↑ Koeck, M. (2019). "Skiffia francesae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T20285A2757376.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/20285/2757376.
14. ↑ BirdLife International (2024). "Todiramphus cinnamominus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T22725862A261269865.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22725862/261269865.
15. ↑ BirdLife International (2025). "Corvus hawaiiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-2.RLTS.T22706052A261946059.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22706052/261946059.
16. ↑ Keysor Espenschied, Susan (27 September 2017). "'Alalā released into natural area reserve". Aliso Laguna News. http://www.alisolagunanews.com/alala-released-into-natural-area-reserve/.
17. ↑ Ako, Diane (16 October 2017). "Rare Hawaiian crows released into native forests of Hawaiʻi Island". KITV4. https://www.kitv.com/story/36609266/rare-hawaiian-crows-released-into-native-forests-of-hawaii-island.
18. ↑ Brestovansky, Michael (1 October 2018). "Five more alala released into Puu Makaala Forest Reserve". West Hawaii Today. https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/10/01/hawaii-news/go-for-crow/.
19. ↑ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2015). "Nectophrynoides asperginis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T54837A16935685.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/54837/16935685.
20. ↑ Valdes Gonzales, A. (2019). "Cyprinodon longidorsalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T6174A3107266.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/6174/3107266.
21. ↑ Cogger, H.; Mitchell, N.M.; Woinarski, J.C.Z. (2017). "Lepidodactylus listeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T11559A83321765.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/11559/83321765.
22. ↑ Orthopteroid Specialist Group (1996). "Leptogryllus deceptor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1996. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T11690A3301867.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/11690/3301867.
23. ↑ "'Last wave' for wild golden frog". BBC. 2 February 2008. https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7219803.stm.
24. ↑ Jiang, Z.; Harris, R.B. (2016). "Elaphurus davidianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T7121A22159785.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/7121/22159785.
25. ↑ Yang, R.; Zhang, L.; Tan, B.; Zhong, Z. (2003). "Investigation on the status of Père David's deer in China". Chinese Journal of Zoology 38: 76–81.
26. ↑ "Simandoa conserfarium (Simandoa Cave Roach)". https://arthroverts.org/conserfariam-roach/.
27. ↑ BirdLife International (2020). "Zenaida graysoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22690740A178409463.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22690740/178409463.
28. ↑ Inland Water Crustacean Specialist Group (1996). "Thermosphaeroma thermophilum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1996. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T21741A9315891.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/21741/9315891.
29. ↑ "South China Tiger". World Wide Fund for Nature. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/south-china-tiger.
30. ↑ Nyhus, P. (2008). "Panthera tigris ssp. amoyensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T15965A5334628.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15965/5334628.
31. ↑ BirdLife International (2019). "Cyanopsitta spixii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T22685533A153022606.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22685533/153022606.
32. ↑ McKim, Cooper (19 June 2017). "Wyoming Toads Begin To Recover As States Seek Endangered Species Act Overhaul". NPR. https://www.npr.org/2017/06/19/533203933/wyoming-toads-rebound-as-states-seek-endangered-species-act-reforms?t=1581297210546www.iucnredlist.org/species/22690740/93286172.
33. ↑ Berger-Tal, O.; Blumstein, D. T.; Swaisgood, R. R. (April 2020). "Conservation translocations: a review of common difficulties and promising directions" (in en). Animal Conservation 23 (2): 121–131. doi:10.1111/acv.12534. ISSN 1367-9430. Bibcode: 2020AnCon..23..121B. https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acv.12534.
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Bellis, Joe; Bourke, David; Maschinski, Joyce; Heineman, Katie; Dalrymple, Sarah (December 2020). "Climate suitability as a predictor of conservation translocation failure" (in en). Conservation Biology 34 (6): 1473–1481. doi:10.1111/cobi.13518. ISSN 0888-8892. PMID 32304113. Bibcode: 2020ConBi..34.1473B.
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 Turghan, Mardan Aghabey; Jiang, Zhigang; Niu, Zhongze (15 November 2022). "An Update on Status and Conservation of the Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii): Captive Breeding and Reintroduction Projects". Animals 12 (22): 3158. doi:10.3390/ani12223158. ISSN 2076-2615. PMID 36428386. Bibcode: 2022Anima..12.3158T.
36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 Ryder, Oliver A.; Friese, Carrie; Greely, Henry T.; Sandler, Ronald; Saragusty, Joseph; Durrant, Barbara S.; Redford, Kent H. (August 2020). "Exploring the limits of saving a subspecies: The ethics and social dynamics of restoring northern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum cottoni)" (in en). Conservation Science and Practice 2 (8). doi:10.1111/csp2.241. ISSN 2578-4854. Bibcode: 2020ConSP...2E.241R.
37. ↑ Bozzuto, Claudio; Biebach, Iris; Muff, Stefanie; Ives, Anthony R.; Keller, Lukas F. (2 September 2019). "Inbreeding reduces long-term growth of Alpine ibex populations" (in en). Nature Ecology & Evolution 3 (9): 1359–1364. doi:10.1038/s41559-019-0968-1. ISSN 2397-334X. PMID 31477848. Bibcode: 2019NatEE...3.1359B. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-019-0968-1.
38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Husemann, M; Zachos, F E; Paxton, R J; Habel, J C (October 2016). "Effective population size in ecology and evolution" (in en). Heredity 117 (4): 191–192. doi:10.1038/hdy.2016.75. ISSN 0018-067X. PMID 27553454. Bibcode: 2016Hered.117..191H.
39. ↑ Wang, J; Santiago, E; Caballero, A (October 2016). "Prediction and estimation of effective population size" (in en). Heredity 117 (4): 193–206. doi:10.1038/hdy.2016.43. ISSN 0018-067X. PMID 27353047. Bibcode: 2016Hered.117..193W.
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 Grace, Molly K.; Akçakaya, H. Resit; Bennett, Elizabeth L.; Brooks, Thomas M.; Heath, Anna; Hedges, Simon; Hilton-Taylor, Craig; Hoffmann, Michael et al. (December 2021). "Testing a global standard for quantifying species recovery and assessing conservation impact" (in en). Conservation Biology 35 (6): 1833–1849. doi:10.1111/cobi.13756. ISSN 0888-8892. PMID 34289517. Bibcode: 2021ConBi..35.1833G. https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.13756.
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 41.4 41.5 41.6 41.7 41.8 "The IUCN Green Status of Species". https://www.iucnredlist.org/about/green-status-species.
42. ↑ Gardner, Simon (6 February 2001). "Lonesome George faces own Galapagos tortoise curse". http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/9708/newsDate/06-Feb-2001/story.htm.
43. ↑ Nicholls, H. (2006). Lonesome George: The Life and Loves of a Conservation Icon. London, England: Macmillan Science. ISBN 1-4039-4576-4. http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/henry. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
44. ↑ "Last Pinta giant tortoise Lonesome George dies". BBC News. 24 June 2012. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-18574279.
45. ↑ "Scientists: Extinct Galapagos tortoise species could be resurrected". CTV News. 22 November 2012. https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/article/scientists-extinct-galapagos-tortoise-species-could-be-resurrected/.

## External links

* List of Extinct in the Wild species as identified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

* v
* t
* e

Extinction

Phenomena|

* Background extinction rate
* Coextinction
* De-extinction
* Ecological extinction
* Extinct in the wild
* Functional extinction
* Genetic pollution
* Lazarus taxon
* Local extinction
* Pseudoextinction

Models|

* Extinction vortex

Causes|

* Genetic erosion
* Habitat destruction
* Human overpopulation
* Muller's ratchet
* Mutational meltdown
* Overexploitation
* Paradox of enrichment
* Overabundant species

Theories
and concepts|

* Extinction debt
* Extinction risk from global warming
* Extinction threshold
* Field of Bullets
* Hypothetical species
* Latent extinction risk

Extinction events|

| Major|

* Ordovician–Silurian
* Late Devonian
* Permian–Triassic
* Triassic–Jurassic
* Cretaceous–Paleogene
* Holocene
* Timeline

|

Other|

* Great Oxidation
* End-Ediacaran
* End-Botomian
* Dresbachian
* Cambrian–Ordovician
* Ireviken
* Mulde
* Lau
* Carboniferous
* Olson's
* End-Capitanian
* Carnian Pluvial
* Toarcian
* End-Jurassic or Tithonian
* Aptian
* Cenomanian-Turonian
* Eocene–Oligocene
* Middle Miocene
* Pliocene–Pleistocene
* Quaternary

Extinct species|

* Lists of extinct species
* Lists of extinct animals
* List of extinct plants
* IUCN Red List extinct species

Organizations|

* International Union for Conservation of Nature
* IUCN Species Survival Commission
* Voluntary Human Extinction Movement

See also|

* Decline in amphibian populations
* Decline in insect populations
* Human extinction

* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

Threatened species

Template: Threatened species by region

IUCN Red List|

| Categories1|

| Extinct|

* Extinct (EX)
* Extinct in the Wild (EW)

|

Threatened|

* Critically Endangered (CR)
* Endangered (EN)
* Vulnerable (VU)

Lower risk|

* Near Threatened (NT)
* Least Concern (LC)
* Lower Risk (LR)
* Conservation Dependent (LR/cd)

Not fully assessed|

* Data Deficient (DD)
* Not Evaluated (NE)

Species|

| Lists|

* Extinct
* Extinct in the Wild
* Critically Endangered
* Endangered
* Vulnerable
* Near Threatened
* Least Concern
* Data Deficient

|

WP categories|

* Extinct
* Extinct in the Wild
* Critically Endangered
* Endangered
* Vulnerable
* Near Threatened
* Least Concern
* Data Deficient

CITES|

* Appendix I
* Appendix II
* Appendix III

By taxa|

* Endangered arthropods / spiders / Decline in insect populations
* Threatened Banksia / rays / sharks / Fungi / Chromista
* The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates
* The world's 100 most threatened species

Conservation|

* Biodiversity action plan
* Biodiversity threats
* Conservation biology
* CITES
* ARKive
* Bird conservation
* Conservation status
* Conservation-reliant species
* Ecoregion conservation status
* Habitat destruction
* Latent extinction risk
* Rare species
* Vulnerability and susceptibility

1 Pre-2001 categories and subcategories shown in italics.

0.00

(0 votes)

Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinct in the wild. Read more

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Biology:Extinct_in_the_wild&oldid=4520382"
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template