Vulnerable
Quick Summary
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies species facing an extremely high risk of extinction as "Vulnerable" (VU). This designation is part of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, a system used to assess the conservation status of plants, animals, and other organisms.12
A species is considered Vulnerable if it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild due to rapid population declines of 30 to over 50 percent within 10 years or three generations, a population size of fewer than 1,000 individuals, or other significant factors. Human activities, including habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation, and the introduction of invasive species, are the primary drivers of species endangerment.213
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coelacanth…coelacanth being classified as a vulnerable species.
Read More…coelacanth being classified as a vulnerable species.
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white sharkConservation…has been classified as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 1996. Its wide distribution throughout many areas of the ocean has made comprehensive population surveys difficult; however, catch-rate data collected by fishery officials worldwide suggest that the species may be undergoing a decline,…
Read More…has been classified as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 1996. Its wide distribution throughout many areas of the ocean has made comprehensive population surveys difficult; however, catch-rate data collected by fishery officials worldwide suggest that the species may be undergoing a decline,…
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binturongBinturongs are classified as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Despite the large geographic range of the species, binturong populations have been declining since the 1980s. Ecologists have noted that population losses in Indonesia and Malaysia are the product of deforestation
Read MoreBinturongs are classified as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Despite the large geographic range of the species, binturong populations have been declining since the 1980s. Ecologists have noted that population losses in Indonesia and Malaysia are the product of deforestation
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dingo… classifies the dingo as a vulnerable species, in large part because of hybridization (that is, the crossbreeding of different species) with domestic dogs, a problem that is constantly increasing with spreading human settlement. Wild dingoes, though bold and suspicious, can be tamed, and they are sometimes captured and tamed by…
Read More… classifies the dingo as a vulnerable species, in large part because of hybridization (that is, the crossbreeding of different species) with domestic dogs, a problem that is constantly increasing with spreading human settlement. Wild dingoes, though bold and suspicious, can be tamed, and they are sometimes captured and tamed by…
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dugongConservation status…classified the dugong as a vulnerable species since 1982.
Read More…classified the dugong as a vulnerable species since 1982.
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humpback whaleConservation status…humpback whale from endangered to vulnerablein 1990. The IUCN has classified the humpback whale as a species of least concern since 2008.
Read More…humpback whale from endangered to vulnerablein 1990. The IUCN has classified the humpback whale as a species of least concern since 2008.
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koala…listed the koala as a vulnerable species since 2016. The species decreased in number by nearly 28 percent between the years 1984 and 2012, largely because of habitat loss and fragmentation, which made the animal more susceptible to vehicle strikes and predation by dogs. Devastating drought and bushfires during the…
Read More…listed the koala as a vulnerable species since 2016. The species decreased in number by nearly 28 percent between the years 1984 and 2012, largely because of habitat loss and fragmentation, which made the animal more susceptible to vehicle strikes and predation by dogs. Devastating drought and bushfires during the…
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lionConservation status… (IUCN) lists the species as vulnerable, and several subspecies have died out. At present the lion’s main stronghold is in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Asiatic lion exists only as a remnant population made up of approximately 500 to 700 individuals inhabiting India’s Gir National Park on the Kathiawar Peninsula. However,…
Read More… (IUCN) lists the species as vulnerable, and several subspecies have died out. At present the lion’s main stronghold is in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Asiatic lion exists only as a remnant population made up of approximately 500 to 700 individuals inhabiting India’s Gir National Park on the Kathiawar Peninsula. However,…
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manateeConservation status…manatees have been listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since the 1980s. The Amazon and West African manatee populations are estimated at 8,000–30,000 adults and 10,000 adults, respectively. The adult population of Antillean manatees is likely fewer than 2,500 individuals, and the number of…
Read More…manatees have been listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since the 1980s. The Amazon and West African manatee populations are estimated at 8,000–30,000 adults and 10,000 adults, respectively. The adult population of Antillean manatees is likely fewer than 2,500 individuals, and the number of…
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giant pandaConservation and classification…of the panda to “vulnerable” in 2016, because of China’s success in restoring bamboo forest habitat.
Read More…of the panda to “vulnerable” in 2016, because of China’s success in restoring bamboo forest habitat.
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pangolinConservation statustetradactyla)—as vulnerable, three species—the Indian pangolin (M. crassicaudata), the white-bellied pangolin (P. tricuspis), and the giant ground pangolin—as endangered, and three species—the Philippine, or Palawan, pangolin (M. culionensis), the Sunda pangolin, and the Chinese pangolin—as critically endangered
Read Moretetradactyla)—as vulnerable, three species—the Indian pangolin (M. crassicaudata), the white-bellied pangolin (P. tricuspis), and the giant ground pangolin—as endangered, and three species—the Philippine, or Palawan, pangolin (M. culionensis), the Sunda pangolin, and the Chinese pangolin—as critically endangered
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snow leopard…status was changed to “vulnerable” after a population calculation error was discovered in the species’ 2008 population assessment. Between 2,500 to 10,000 adult snow leopards remain in the wild, but the species continues to face daunting threats to its survival.
Read More…status was changed to “vulnerable” after a population calculation error was discovered in the species’ 2008 population assessment. Between 2,500 to 10,000 adult snow leopards remain in the wild, but the species continues to face daunting threats to its survival.
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king cobraConservation status…included all king cobras) as vulnerable. Despite the snake’s large geographic range, the IUCN’s decision was based on the fact that the king cobra population had declined by 30 percent between 1935 and 2010 and that the species faced ongoing threats of habitat loss and overharvesting. The IUCN has yet…
Read More…included all king cobras) as vulnerable. Despite the snake’s large geographic range, the IUCN’s decision was based on the fact that the king cobra population had declined by 30 percent between 1935 and 2010 and that the species faced ongoing threats of habitat loss and overharvesting. The IUCN has yet…
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muggerConservation status…classified the mugger as a vulnerable species since 1982. Limited population studies conducted during the late 1980s reported that between 2,000 and 3,000 muggers remained worldwide. More-comprehensive studies conducted since then estimate that adults and juveniles combined (though excluding hatchlings) number between 5,700 and 8,700, and populations, though largely isolated…
Read More…classified the mugger as a vulnerable species since 1982. Limited population studies conducted during the late 1980s reported that between 2,000 and 3,000 muggers remained worldwide. More-comprehensive studies conducted since then estimate that adults and juveniles combined (though excluding hatchlings) number between 5,700 and 8,700, and populations, though largely isolated…
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