The latest IUCN Red List includes 134,425 species, 37,480 of which are threatened with extinction. 8,188 species are listed as Critically Endangered and 14,106 as Endangered.

For the first time, the African forest elephant is now listed as Critically Endangered and the African savanna elephant (or African bush elephant) as Endangered, following population declines over several decades due to poaching for ivory and habitat loss. African forest elephants declined by more than 86 per cent over a period of 31 years, while African savanna elephants decreased by at least 60 per cent over the last 50 years.

The latest IUCN Red List includes many less well-known species who have been placed in the higher Critically Endangered category, including the New Zealand long-tailed bat, Spineback guitarfish and Assam roof tortoise. Four species of shark (Caribbean reef, blacknose, night, Japanese topeshark…) are newly listed as Endangered.

The world’s wildlife is facing a crisis, with threats ranging from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and climate change.

15,186 species are listed as Vulnerable, 7,889 as Near-Threatened. Many species are moving in the wrong direction. Cheetahs, listed as Vulnerable, are down to around 7000. Numbers of African lions, also listed as Vulnerable, have halved in the last 25 years.

From pangolins to vultures, many creatures are sliding towards extinction. Each of them is too valuable to lose and essential to the balance of nature, not just for wildlife but for the future of humans and the planet.

Change is possible.

Conservation does work.

Check out our articles:

10 Critically Endangered species brought back from the brink of extinction

A Wilder World (Rewilding)

5 Things You Can Do To Help The World’s Wildlife

And 10 Messages Of Hope In Dark Times from Jane Goodall, Chris Packham, Joel Sartore and more

Photos by:

Usha Harish: ushaharish.com

Alessandro Beconi: grandiviaggifotografici.com

Alison Buttigieg: www.alisonbuttigieg.com

Art Wolfe: artwolfe.com

Chris Packham: www.chrispackham.co.uk

David Lloyd: davidlloyd.net

Jen Guyton: www.jenguyton.com

Kiliii Yuyan: kiliii.com

Anette Mossbacher: anettemossbacher.com

Marcus Westberg: www.marcuswestberg.photo

Marina Cano: www.marinacano.com

Mark Carwardine: www.markcarwardine.com

Marsel van Oosten: www.squiver.com

Christian Ziegler: christianziegler.photography

Ami Vitale: www.amivitale.com

Ramakrishnan Aiyaswamy: www.instagram.com/ramakrishnan_aiyaswamy/

Craig Jones: www.craigjoneswildlifephotography.co.uk

Shivang Mehta: shivangmehtaphotography.wordpress.com/

Steve Winter: www.stevewinterphoto.com

Graeme Green: www.graeme-green.com

Harman Singh Heer: www.harmansinghheer.com

Vladamir Cech Jr: www.vladimircechml.cz

Tom Svensson: www.tomsvensson.se

Heath Holden: www.heathholden.com

Kathleen Vanoppen: www.instagram.com/kathleen.vanoppen/

Lance van de Vyer: www.lancevandevyver.com

Marco Gaiotti: www.instagram.com/marcogaiotti_naturephotography/

Martin Steenhaut: www.martinsnature.com

Michael Tweddle: www.tweddlefoto.com

Ranjan Ramchandani: www.ranjanphotography.net

Richard Peters: www.richardpeters.co.uk

Sandesh Kadur: www.sandeshkadur.com

Faraaz Abdool: faraazabdool.com

Sebastian Kennerknecht: www.pumapix.com

Annabelle Averty: annabelleartgallery.com

Shannon Wild: shannonwild.photoshelter.com

Sohail Inzaman: www.instagram.com/sohailinzaman/