Understanding the conservation status of animals
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the first global environmental union with a goal to encourage governments and organizations to protect nature. Enrico Andreoli, Montreal native, has always advocated for the protection of wildlife species. Contrary to what most people know, there are various conservation statuses aside from “extinct” and “endangered”. Here are some of them:
Extinct in the wild
This status is given to species that has living members in captivity or in a different habitat due to a massive destruction of their original habitat.
Critically Endangered
According to wildlife advocate Enrico Andreoli from Montreal, this status is given to species that are already very few and are experiencing difficulties in breeding without intervention. Deforestation and poaching might cause an animal population to become critically endangered like with Western gorillas. To preserve and protect their line, they need the help of conservationists.
Vulnerable
When a species is classified as vulnerable, they are in danger because of factors like the destruction of their habitat, poaching, and hunting. According to Enrico Andreoli from Montreal, these situations might cause them to go extinct without the right intervention. When the population of a certain species decrease quickly, they can be considered vulnerable.
Near Threatened
The existence of these animals are considered at a lower risk compared to those in the vulnerable, critically endangered, and extinct classifications. However, some of these species might need the help of conservationists in order to ensure their health and safety.
Enrico Andreoli, Montreal-based wildlife advocate, shares that it might be helpful to understand these statuses especially now that many are getting involved in various efforts to protect and save wildlife animals.