The annual Red List is the most comprehensive guide to the world’s endangered species. It is compiled on the back of the work of thousands of scientists, and it documents 47,677 different species at risk, providing information on those most endangered and those that have become extinct.

It is a shocking reminder of just how much impact human activities are having on the biodiversity of the world, and should be a wake-up call for us all.

Amphibians Fare the Worst

Of all the groups of animals, it is the amphibians that seem to be facing the biggest threat. Out of 6,285 amphibians on the list, 1,895 of these are in serious danger. The list also documents 5,490 mammal species, 79 of which are extinct in the wild, 188 of which are critically endangered and 449 of which are endangered.

Reptiles are also under increasing threat. There are 293 new reptiles on the list since last year, and 1,677 of the total number are threatened, with 469 facing extinction and 22 thought to be extinct.

A Third of Species at Threat

The list reveals that over a third of all the species on the list are now threatened with extinction. Of the 47,677 at risk, 17,291 of these are thought to be threatened. This includes 21% of mammals, 30% of amphibians, 70% of plants and 35% of invertebrates. It’s clear from these startling figures that if more is not done then we could well see a mass extinction within the next few decades.

Kihansi Spray Toad

Kihansi Spray Toad

One species to get special attention in the report was the Kihansi Spray Toad. This tiny toad is now thought to be extinct in the wild, even though it was only discovered in 1996. It is only found at the Kihansi waterfall in Tanzania, and as recently as June 2003 there were about 21,000 of them. Now, following the construction of a dam and the effects of a deadly fungus, they are thought to be extinct in the wild.

Plants Also Faring Badly

Although it is the animals on the list that may provoke the biggest reaction, there are now 12,151 plants included. These include the Queen of the Andes that is found in Peru and Bolivia. This nine-foot giant only seeds once every 80 years and then dies. It is now under increasing threat from climate change and the increase in cattle numbers.

More Needs to be Done

Conservationists are saying that not enough is being done to protect the biodiversity of the planet. It is clear that we are running out of time and that harmful human practices are leading to the extinction of thousands of species.

Mark Wright, the conservation science advisor at WWF-UK, said that “the continued and unprecedented loss of species must not be accepted as just a sad reality we can do nothing about. Biodiversity loss is an alarming indicator of the general health of our planet and of the well-being of our own species. We must act to halt this decline.”

International Union for Conservation of Nature

The Red List is available on the IUCN website.

Cheetah

Have you ever wondered how cheetahs can run so fast? Well now the Royal Veterinary College is carrying out a new study at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo on a group of North African cheetahs in an attempt to shed more light into their amazing running abilities. It seems strange that no one really knows yet just how they can reach such speeds, but hopefully after the trial we will have a better understanding about these incredible creatures.

Trying to work out how cheetahs run so fast is sure to have its challenges. The trials will involve tying a bit of chicken onto a string, using it to get the cheetahs’ attention, and then encouraging them to chase the meat by pulling it with a motor. The aim is to get the cheetahs to run past a high-speed camera which will catch their exact body movements for detailed analysis later on. The tracks that they run on also have scales to weigh the forces of each step to provide an even greater insight.

Cheetahs are one of nature’s master creations. It has been well documented that they can reach speeds of up to 64 mph, making them the fastest animals on land. However, some experts are now saying that they might be able to run even faster.

One of the best places to see cheetahs is in Tanzania. Tanzania has a number of national parks, but two of the best are the Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater. Ngorogoro Crater is a vast crater that was formed during a massive volcanic eruption, and it is now widely revered as one of the natural wonders of the world.

Despite their popularity, cheetahs are also one of the most endangered species in Africa. For that reason there are many cheetah conservation schemes that you can get involved in which will allow you to see them in the wild as well as help their cause. A possible scheme could involve helping to count their numbers in a specific location, or you could even take pictures of them in the wild to help form a database and boost cheetah conservation efforts.

If you get involved in a project or just go on a safari, then you may want to get a snap of a cheetah running, which will certainly bring some challenges. If you don’t want to be disappointed then always make sure you take the right equipment for high-speed shots. However, most of the time they will just be sitting around so as long as you have a large zoom lens you should be alright.

Cheetahs are incredible creatures, and one of the highlights of any safari to Tanzania. The new study into their speed should provide a greater insight into these magnificent cats, and any cheetah fans will be keen to find out more about them. But if you want to see them in the wild then head to Tanzania, and hopefully you’ll be able to take home photos and memories that you’ll treasure forever.