What does ‘endangered species’ mean?

The document defines 'endangered species' as those facing a high, very high, or extremely high risk of extinction, specifically those categorized as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered. It describes the IUCN Red List as the primary tool for these assessments, noting that over 26,500 of the 96,500 assessed species are threatened. The text highlights specific threats, such as climate change for corals and overfishing for sharks and rays, and mentions the process of 'downlisting' species when conservation efforts succeed, citing the giant panda's 2016 status change.

• The term 'endangered' is used broadly to describe species facing high, very high, or extremely high risks of extinction, which are specifically categorized as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered.
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species assesses species based on habitat shrinkage, population size and trends, and existing threats; as of the document's writing, more than 26,500 of the 96,500 assessed species are threatened with extinction.
• Different taxonomic groups face varying levels of threat: amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class at 41%, followed by corals (44%), conifers (34%), sharks and rays (37.5%), selected crustaceans (28%), mammals (26%), and birds (12%).
• Specific drivers of extinction include climate change for reef-building corals, overfishing for sharks, rays, and chimaeras, and agriculture and illegal logging for bird species.
• Species can be 'downlisted' to a less critical status if conservation efforts lead to population growth, such as the giant panda being moved from 'Endangered' to 'Vulnerable' in 2016.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). What does ‘endangered species’ mean? https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/what-does-endangered-species-mean/

Chicago

WWF International. What does ‘endangered species’ mean? n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/what-does-endangered-species-mean/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=What does ‘endangered species’ mean? |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/what-does-endangered-species-mean/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndwhat, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{What does ‘endangered species’ mean?}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/resources/explainers/what-does-endangered-species-mean/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }