Everywhere you read, every time you put the TV on, you hear about extinction, and to be honest, do we pay proper attention? Why is it that so few people care that we are losing vital creatures from our planet, while a hardworking few care so much, sometimes giving up their whole lives to help? Do they get rewarded for their troubles, successful or not? Not many.

Here’s a few that are estimated to be extinct by the end of this year – this year, for heavens’ sake. Not soon, or within the next ten years, but this year. Dedicated teams will try and prevent their extinction, and these figures are estimates by FFI, Fauna & Flora International, an international conservation charity and non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting the planet's threatened wildlife and habitats. Founded in 1903, it is the world's oldest international conservation organisation. Sir David Attenborough is their Vice President, and has been a member since 1959.

No, you probably haven’t even heard of any of these creatures, and they haven’t had the publicity, or have the cuteness of Giant Pandas for instance, but they will be just a few more to add to a growing list we will eventually only remember by drawings and photos.

Saint Lucia racer snake – This snake is small enough to be held in one hand, and the chances of spotting one in the wild are slim. With maybe only 20 left, it was once the most common snake on the Island of St Lucia, and has almost been wiped out by the arrival of the Asian mongoose. The remaining population is confined to one small predator-free islet off the coast, where they are still in danger - now from rats, but a captive breeding programme is going ahead with the hope of pulling their population back from the brink by 2025.

The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey - Out of the five snub-nosed monkey species in the world, the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is the rarest, with an estimated critical population of only around 20, found in the Tung Vai forest in northern Vietnam. Their decline is because they have been hunted for bushmeat and medicine, and like many others, they suffer from habitat loss. The FFI and local experts plan to search and track the remaining creatures with drones and thermal cameras to try and increase viable populations.

The Goliath Frog - This giant of a frog can weigh over 3k but, despite its size, its population and range are shrinking as a result of hunting and habitat destruction. In collaboration with conservationists in southwestern Cameroon, where it is endemic, FFI will be working with local communities to help them understand the need to protect this endangered species, and encouraging them to participate in citizen science reporting.

African Pangolin – I have written about these before, but the pangolin has the unenviable title of the world’s most trafficked mammal. It is increasingly threatened by the illegal trade which prizes its unique scales, used in traditional medicine. A pilot project to tag and track both white - and black-bellied pangolins is now underway in Guinea, where conservationists hope the project will provide valuable insight into the movements and activities of these endangered animals.

Red Bird of Paradise - Of the 38 species in the Bird of Paradise family, the red bird of paradise (Paradisaea rubra) is one of the most spectacular. It has a small range, found only on the islands of Batanta, Waigeo and Gam in Indonesia. They perform an important role in the forests as seed-dispersers, and a number of fruit trees on the islands rely on them for survival. However, their beautiful feathers make them a target for illegal capture and trade, while deforestation is eating into their range. To help support the species, FFI are mapping their distribution on Waigeo island and working with communities to reduce the threats posed by illegal activities.

Numerous animals are in similar positions, having been on the brink of extinction for a long time – and sadly some might not even make it to New Years’ Eve.

Author

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan