One in four mammals is about to disappear
Joxerra Aizpurua Sarasola
2013ko maiatzaren 02a
More than 1,800 scientists from 130 countries have completed the most in-depth study ever done on the condition and health of mammals. And the results have been serious.
According to the study, of the 5,487 species of mammals numbered worldwide, at least 1,141 are on the verge of extinction, or about 25%. From the year 1500 to the present, it is necessary to take into account that 76 species have already disappeared; on the other hand, not enough data has been collected on another 83 species, so we do not know if they are threatened or not. Responsibility for this situation has been attributed to habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution and global warming.
That's what the status report says. Now comes the hardest part, which is: what to do about it?
According to the study, of the 5,487 species of mammals numbered worldwide, at least 1,141 are on the verge of extinction, or about 25%. From the year 1500 to the present, it is necessary to take into account that 76 species have already disappeared; on the other hand, not enough data has been collected on another 83 species, so we do not know if they are threatened or not. Responsibility for this situation has been attributed to habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution and global warming.
That's what the status report says. Now comes the hardest part, which is: what to do about it?