what will go extinct in 2025

Thikor Valdees

2 min read

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30-11-2024

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What Animals Will Go Extinct in 2025? Predicting the Unpredictable

It's impossible to definitively say which species will go extinct in 2025. Extinction is a complex process influenced by many interacting factors. While we can't predict the future with certainty, we can highlight species facing a critically high risk of extinction in the near future. This information comes from organizations like the IUCN Red List, which tracks the conservation status of various species. Focusing on "what will go extinct" is misleading; instead, we should focus on species facing imminent threats and what we can do to prevent their extinction.

Understanding Extinction Risk:

Extinction isn't a sudden event; it's a gradual decline in population. A species' proximity to extinction depends on several factors:

• Habitat Loss: Destruction of natural habitats due to deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture is a primary driver of extinction.
• Climate Change: Shifting weather patterns, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events disrupt ecosystems and threaten species' survival.
• Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: The illegal hunting and trafficking of animals for their body parts or as pets significantly reduce populations.
• Pollution: Water, air, and soil pollution contaminate habitats and harm animals directly.
• Invasive Species: Non-native species can outcompete native species for resources, leading to population decline.

Species Facing Imminent Threats:

While pinpointing species destined for extinction in 2025 is impossible, several are critically endangered and could vanish within the next few years without significant conservation efforts. These include:

• Amur Leopard ( Panthera pardus orientalis): Habitat loss and poaching have severely reduced their numbers. Fewer than 100 Amur leopards remain in the wild.
• Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli): Deforestation and the bushmeat trade pose significant threats to this critically endangered subspecies.
• Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis): Known as the "Asian Unicorn," this elusive bovine is critically endangered, with only a handful of confirmed sightings in recent years. Habitat loss and poaching are primary concerns.
• Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii): Deforestation for palm oil plantations continues to decimate their habitat, pushing them closer to extinction.
• Vaquita (Phocoena sinus): This critically endangered porpoise is facing extinction due to entanglement in illegal fishing nets.

What Can Be Done?

Preventing extinctions requires a multifaceted approach:

• Habitat Conservation and Restoration: Protecting existing habitats and restoring degraded ones is crucial. This includes establishing protected areas and implementing sustainable land management practices.
• Combating Climate Change: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is vital to mitigating the impacts of climate change on biodiversity.
• Strengthening Anti-Poaching Efforts: Increased law enforcement, stricter penalties for poaching, and community-based conservation initiatives are needed.
• Promoting Sustainable Practices: Encouraging sustainable agriculture, forestry, and fishing practices minimizes the impact on ecosystems.
• Raising Awareness: Public education and awareness campaigns can help change behaviors and foster support for conservation efforts.

Conclusion:

Predicting which species will go extinct in 2025 is impossible. However, several species face an extremely high risk of extinction in the near future due to human activities. By understanding the threats and implementing effective conservation strategies, we can hope to prevent the extinction of these vulnerable species and protect biodiversity for future generations. The focus shouldn't be on which species will disappear, but rather on which species we can save. The next few years will be critical in determining the fate of many endangered species. We must act now.