In 1966, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published its “Red List” in an attempt to record the status of all endangered animal and plant species across the globe. The list is supplemented by lists from individual states and regions that provide comprehensive information on the ecological and biological status of global ecosystems.
Of the 50,000 animal and plant species included in the “Red List,” more than 17,000 are identified as acutely endangered. Worldwide, the most significant factors leading to species endangerment include the destruction of natural habitats, pollution, and direct human intervention in ecosystems. Since 1998, the IUCN has also published “Blue Lists” of species that have been successfully protected and nurtured.