A DECADE ago, tiny Kihansi Spray Toads gathered in their thousands at the waterfalls of the Kihansi River in the mountains of south central Tanzania. But trouble for the toads began with the construction of a dam which removed 90 per cent of water flow to the gorge.
But trouble for the toads began with the construction of a dam which removed 90 per cent of water flow to the gorge.
Yesterday, the latest update from the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species revealed the mustard-colour
ed toads, which previously numbered at least 17,000 and were unique to the region, had moved from the "critically endangered" to the "extinct in the wild" category.
The Red List also shows that 17,291 out of the 47,677 assessed species are threatened with extinction.
Jane Smart, director of IUCN's Biodiversity Conservation Group, said: "The scientific evidence of a serious extinction crisis is mounting."
The results reveal 21 per cent of all known mammals, 30 per cent of all known amphibians and 12 per cent of all known birds assessed so far are under threat.
Ms Smart added: "January sees the launch of the International Year of Biodiversity.
"The latest analysis of the IUCN Red List shows the 2010 target to reduce biodiversity loss will not be met.
"It's time for governments to start getting serious about saving species and make sure it's high on their agendas for next year, as we're rapidly running out of time."
Of the world's 5,490 mammals, 79 are extinct or extinct in the wild, with 188 critically endangered, 449 endangered and 505 vulnerable.
The Eastern Voalavo (Voalavo antsahabensis) appears on the IUCN Red List for the first time in the endangered category.
This rodent, endemic to Madagascar, is confined to montane tropical forest and is under threat from slash-and-burn farming.
There are now 1,677 reptiles on the IUCN Red List, with 293 added this year.
In total, 469 are threatened with extinction and 22 are already extinct or extinct in the wild. The 165 endemic Philippine species new to the IUCN Red List include the Panay Monitor Lizard (Varanus mabitang), which is endangered.
The Sail-fin Water Lizard (Hydrosaurus pustulatus) enters in the vulnerable category and is also threatened by habitat loss.
Simon Stuart, chair of IUCN's Species Survival Commission, said: "The world's reptiles are undoubtedly suffering, but the picture may be much worse than it currently looks.
"We need an assessment of all reptiles to understand the severity of the situation but we don't have the $2-3 million to carry it out."
