Should More Species Be Extinct?

TL;DR

Despite only 902 officially declared extinct species since 1500, there are likely many more missing species that are extinct but not recognized.

Transcript

This video was sponsored by Planet Wild.  More about them at the end of the episode. Here’s a hot take: Not enough species are  extinct. Hi, I’m Kate, and this is MinuteEarth.  Wait a minute, I’m not saying I  want more species to go extinct.   What I mean is that only 902 animal and plant  species have been officially declared extinct   worldwide ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😘 The official count of extinct species is much lower than the actual number due to limitations in tracking and identification.
• 🎟️ Many species that have not been spotted in years are considered missing rather than extinct.
• ⌛ Determining extinction solely based on the length of time a species has been missing is not accurate, as evidenced by rediscoveries like the Coelacanth.
• 🏷️ Labeling a species as extinct when it might not be could have negative consequences for environmental protections.
• 💦 The organization Planet Wild sponsors this video and works towards saving species from extinction through rewilding efforts.
• 🤨 The videos by Planet Wild combine education and environmental action to raise awareness and make a difference.
• 🧑‍🌾 The extinction crisis is far greater and more complex than the official numbers suggest.

Questions & Answers

Q: How many officially declared extinct animal and plant species have there been since 1500?

Since 1500, there have been 902 officially declared extinct animal and plant species worldwide, according to the IUCN.

Q: Why does the number of officially declared extinct species seem so low?

The number seems low because it only includes species that have gone extinct since 1500 and does not account for extinct species prior to that timeframe.

Q: Why are there likely more extinct species than the official count?

The official count is limited because the IUCN only has resources and data to closely track a small fraction of the estimated 2 million known species. Additionally, there are likely many undiscovered species that have gone extinct without ever being identified.

Q: Why aren't the 2,100 endangered species that haven't been spotted in at least a decade declared extinct?

The IUCN does not declare these species extinct because there is still a chance they may be found alive, as seen in cases like the Seychelles Giant Tortoise and the black-browed babbler.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has only officially declared 902 species extinct since 1500, but this number does not include extinct species prior to that timeframe.

• Limited resources and unknown species make it difficult to track and recognize all extinctions, leaving many species unaccounted for.

• The IUCN only declares a species extinct when the last individual has died, but there are 2,100 endangered species that have not been spotted in at least a decade.