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One-Quarter of Mammal Species Imperiled: Survey
Deforestation, climate change among culprits threatening 1,141 types of beasts
By Ambreen Ali
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Posted Oct 6, 08 2:17 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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Nearly 25% of the world’s mammal species face extinction, the Guardian reports, and 3% are critically endangered. The stark conclusion, based on research conducted over 5 years in 130 countries, paints an especially bleak picture for marine mammals, the highly regarded Red List says. "We are threatening the future of wildlife and nature and denying our children the chance to experience what we have experienced," said the WWF's chief scientist.
Deforestation, fisheries and climate change are to blame for damaging the habitats of 1,141 threatened species, scientists say. There are only 100 Iberian lynx left, and the Yangtze river dolphin may already be extinct, thanks to pollution and fishing nets. "For mammals there is no bailout plan," the study's director says. "There is no long-term conservation strategy."