Overview

• The latest Red List assesses 172,620 species, with 48,646 threatened with extinction (28.2%), a slight rise from 27.9% in 2024.
• The hooded seal is now Endangered, and bearded and Greenland (harp) seals are Near Threatened, reflecting rapid Arctic warming and sea-ice loss.
• Satellite monitoring this year logged a record-low winter sea-ice extent, while increased shipping, mining, oil extraction, industrial fishing and hunting are adding pressure in the Arctic.
• For birds, 1,256 of 11,185 species are threatened and 61% show declining populations, with numerous deteriorations in tropical forests across Madagascar, West Africa and Central America.
• Offering a rare bright spot, green turtles are now listed as Least Concern after roughly 28% global growth since the 1970s, even as six species were newly classified as Extinct.