Critically Endangered (CR):
Species fall into the Critically Endangered (CR) category on the IUCN Red List when they face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild shortly, indicating they have met specific criteria that demonstrate this imminent threat. This status is more severe than "Endangered (EN)" and "Vulnerable (VU)," marking a critical point where species require immediate conservation action to avoid extinction. The classification is based on rigorous criteria concerning population size, rate of decline, and geographic range, such as having fewer than 50 mature individuals, experiencing an 80% decline over ten years or three generations, or being confined to less than 100 square kilometers.
Critically Endangered species exemplify the urgent need for significant conservation efforts. The Sumatran Orangutan and the Vaquita cases highlight this, as they have faced severe population declines due to habitat loss and accidental entanglement in fishing nets, respectively. The designation underscores the critical nature of their survival challenges and acts as a catalyst for increased conservation efforts, funding, and protective measures. It is a call to action to prevent these species from slipping into extinction, emphasizing the need for immediate, effective, and sustained interventions to secure their future.
Discover Critically Endangered Animals (CR):
