CONSERVATION STATUS
Understanding how species are classified by the IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the conservation status of biological species. Established in 1964, it uses a set of precise criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies around the world.
Each species featured on ParkBound includes its IUCN conservation status where available. The classifications below are ordered from highest risk to lowest risk.
Classifications
Extinct
A species is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. A species is presumed Extinct when exhaustive surveys in known and expected habitat, at appropriate times, throughout its historic range have failed to record an individual.
Extinct in the Wild
A species is Extinct in the Wild when it is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity, or as a naturalized population well outside its past range. A species is presumed Extinct in the Wild when exhaustive surveys in known and expected habitat have failed to record an individual.
Critically Endangered
A species is Critically Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. This is the highest risk category assigned to wild species by the IUCN.
Endangered
A species is Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Population declines, habitat loss, and other threats put these species in serious danger.
Vulnerable
A species is Vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. Vulnerable species are closely monitored because of declining populations or other concerning trends.
Near Threatened
A species is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not currently qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable, but is close to qualifying or is likely to qualify in the near future.
Least Concern
A species is Least Concern when it has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for any of the threatened categories. Widespread and abundant species are included in this category.
Data Deficient
A species is Data Deficient when there is inadequate information to make a direct or indirect assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution or population status. This is not a category of threat but indicates that more research is needed.
Not Evaluated
A species is Not Evaluated when it has not yet been assessed against the IUCN criteria. Many recently described species or lesser-known organisms fall into this category.
For more detailed information about the IUCN Red List criteria and methodology, visit the official resource.
Visit IUCN Red List