The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) confirmed that 44 different species were declared extinct in 2025, both of flora and fauna.
Thus, an important biodiversity of animals, fungi, and plants that no longer exist was lost worldwide.
The Red List recorded these extinct species after rigorous scientific evaluations conducted by experts from around the globe.
The organization updates this record daily, which constitutes the most authoritative global reference on the state of biodiversity.
The most notable extinct species of the year
The slender-billed curlew was one of the most notable extinct species during this period. This migratory bird soared for centuries over the skies of Eurasia and northern Africa.
It belonged to the family of the whimbrel, which still survives in several parts of Spain. However, the slender-billed curlew is no longer found anywhere on the planet.
The Conus lugubris was another organism that disappeared permanently during the year. This small marine snail inhabited the coasts of Cape Verde for decades.
Its venomous sting caused conflicts with humans, but scientists highlighted its role in oceanic biodiversity.
Additionally, the loss also affected mammals with a significant ecological impact.
For example, the Christmas Island shrew, a tiny Australian insectivore about 15 centimeters long, was declared extinct. The last sighting of this animal was recorded in the 1980s.
Australia also witnessed the permanent disappearance of three species of bandicoots. These small omnivorous marsupials showed a remarkable ability to adapt to extreme environments for centuries.
However, they did not withstand the direct action of humans on their natural habitats.
More than 48,600 species in danger of extinction
The IUCN indicated that currently, more than 48,600 species are still endangered on the Red List.
This figure represents 28% of the total species evaluated by the organization. The most threatened groups are as follows:
- Cycads: 71 percent endangered
- Corals: 44 percent endangered
- Amphibians: 41 percent endangered
- Sharks and rays: 38 percent endangered
In the last five years, a total of 310 species have moved to the category of extinct according to official IUCN data.
Catherine Numa, coordinator of the Species Program at the Mediterranean Cooperation Center, explained that this number depends on ongoing projects and studies.
When the results of a comprehensive study are published, the number of extinct species increases punctually.
The causes behind extinction
IUCN experts identified several clear patterns behind the extinction of these species listed on the Red List.
Among the main factors highlighted were habitat loss and degradation and the introduction of invasive species.
Overexploitation and climate change are also increasingly prominent in this process.
All these factors share a common denominator: human activity, both direct and indirect.
However, according to Numa, humanity can still save many species on the path to extinction if it acts quickly and ambitiously.
“The Red List is not just a diagnosis, but also a tool to guide decisions and priorities. We know which species are at risk and why; what is lacking is to act with the necessary speed and ambition,” concluded the IUCN expert.
