A quarter of mammals face extinction

sea-maid submitted, created time 1 month 2 weeks (www.nature.com)

This article covers one of the most, possibly the most, comprehensive studies of endangered animals in human history. Previous efforts have had to limit themselves to only better-known or better-studied species, but this one covers marine and obscure mammals as well.

"One in four of the world's mammal species is threatened with extinction, according to the first comprehensive survey of this class of animal. Populations are declining in half of all mammal species, with some experiencing an extreme decline. Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) numbers have plummeted by 60%" since 1998.

The biggest causes are deforestation, habitat loss, and hunting, but others, such as pollution, may rear their heads soon enough.

Keywords: hunting deforestation habitat loss pollution conservation environmentalism zoology mammals endangered species extinction