Vulnerable (VU):
Species that fall into the "Vulnerable (VU)" category, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are those that are confronted with a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future. However, they have not yet reached the endangered status. This classification acts as a pivotal alert, indicating that without positive changes to the factors impacting these species' survival and reproduction, they stand a significant chance of escalating to an endangered status. Criteria for deeming a species vulnerable include a decline in population size of at least 30% over the past decade or three generations, a distribution area of less than 20,000 square kilometers with signs of shrinking or habitat degradation, or having fewer than 10,000 mature individuals with a projected decline of at least 10% within the next decade or three generations.
Examples of species currently categorized as Vulnerable illustrate the diversity of threats faced by wildlife, including the Snow Leopard, which is under siege from habitat loss and poaching, and the Hippopotamus, which suffers from habitat encroachment and illegal hunting. This status serves as a critical call for targeted conservation measures to halt further declines and stabilize populations. The designation emphasizes the need for immediate actions, such as safeguarding habitats, regulating hunting and trade, and mitigating conflicts between humans and wildlife, to avert the risk of these species advancing to a more critical threat level.
Discover Vulnerable Animals (VU):
