1 in 5 reptile species is under threat of extinction, crocodiles and turtles among them
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This is the first study of its kind for reptiles and involved 961 scientists from 24 countries on six continents and took 15 years to complete.
Similar global studies for other animal species have shown that 40.7% of amphibians, 25.4% of mammals and 13.6% of bird species are at risk of extinction.
“Through this kind of work, we promote the importance of these creatures. They are part of the tree of life. Just as anyone else deserves attention.”
Habitat destruction.
Logging, agriculture and urbanization, and competition with invading species are the main threats to reptiles. Other factors have played a role in some species, such as their use in traditional medicine. The study added that the climate crisis is also an uncertain challenge.
The dangers to reptiles were most severe in the wild. the study.
Crocodiles and turtles were among the most endangered species and needed conservation efforts, with approximately 57.9% and 50% endangered, respectively.
The authors point out that the lack of data on reptiles and their habitats has limited conservation efforts, although they note that many measures taken to protect mammals, birds and ambivalents are limited. We will also protect the animals.
The researchers applied the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Endangered Species to 10,196 species of reptiles. The team found that 1,829 (21%) species are at risk of extinction (in the category of weak, endangered or critically endangered IUCN standards).
Extensive and high-end species such as the King Cobra were at risk, the survey said.
“It was suspected that it might be in decline, but without a global assessment of reptiles we wouldn’t know it was really weak,” said Neil Cox, managing director of the Biodiversity Assessment Unit and co-author. That is a joint venture between IUCN and Conservation International in Washington DC.
Delegations of world governments are expected to meet in Kunming, China, later this year to agree on a new biodiversity action plan.
