October 6, 2008 at 9:28 pm (Research & Conservation)
Tags: endangered species, extinction, IUCN, websites
“At least 25% of the world’s mammal species are at risk of extinction, according to the first assessment of their status for a decade,” BBC News reports, referring to the IUCN’s recently published Red List of Threatened Species for 2008.
Mammals facing extinction threat –BBC News
PHOTOS: Parachute Spider, New Shrew on 2008 ”Red List” –National Geographic
Extinction Crisis Worsens; “Dow Jones” Approach Touted –National Geographic
September 5, 2008 at 12:37 pm (Research & Conservation)
Tags: IUCN, otters, websites
A great place on the web to get information on nearly any animal family is its SSC Specialist Group’s website.
THE IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature, or the IUCN, was founded in 1948 and today comprises over 1,000 member organizations in 140 countries, according to its website. The IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species, begun in 1963, is a comprehensive list of the conservation statuses of the world’s wildlife. Species and subspecies of concern are placed in the following categories:
The status of each species is monitored and evaluated by a Species Survival Commission (SSC) Specialist Group. Some Specialist Groups focus on specific species or families, while others are responsible for larger numbers of related species or even geographic or disciplinary areas .
IUCN.org offers a convenient directory to all its SSC Specialty Groups, which you can check out here.
If you’re in the mood for cute, take a thorough look at the Otter Specialist Group at http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org.
