Gland, Switzerland, 27 June 2024 – The Bornean elephant has been officially classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This update underscores the severe threats facing this unique subspecies due to human activities. The latest report highlights that invasive species and climate change are also jeopardizing various other species across the globe.
Critical status of the bornean elephant
The Bornean elephant, a subspecies of the Asian elephant, now faces an Endangered status, with only about 1,000 individuals estimated to remain in the wild. This alarming decline has been driven by extensive deforestation in Borneo, primarily due to logging and agricultural expansion. As human populations grow in Sabah, these elephants increasingly venture into human settlements, where they are often met with hostility.
The destruction of their habitat continues, exacerbated by activities such as palm oil plantations, mining, and major infrastructure projects like the Pan Borneo Highway. Furthermore, issues like poaching for ivory, accidental poisoning from agrochemicals, and vehicle collisions add to the threats.
Dr. Augustine Tuuga, Director of the Sabah Wildlife Department, emphasizes, “Efforts to understand and protect the Bornean elephant are crucial for its survival and for ensuring balanced socio-economic development in the region.”
Decline of reptiles on gran Canaria and Ibiza
Invasive species are wreaking havoc on endemic reptiles in the Canary Islands and Ibiza. On Gran Canaria, the Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) and the Gran Canaria skink (Chalcides sexlineatus) have seen their conservation status plummet due to predation by the California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae), introduced in 1998. Since 2014, populations of these reptiles have dwindled by over 50%.
Similarly, the Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis) has shifted from Near Threatened to Endangered, with its numbers halving since 2010 due to the presence of the invasive horseshoe whip snake (Hemorrhois hippocrepis). Despite these challenges, efforts have been made to bolster the population of the La Gomera giant lizard (Gallotia bravoana), improving its status from Critically Endangered to Endangered through captive breeding and reintroduction.
Threats to Cacti in Chile
The copiapoa cacti of Chile face severe risks, with 82% of species now endangered, a significant increase from 55% in 2013. These cacti, native to the Atacama Desert, are prized in Europe and Asia, fueling illegal trade. The rise in poaching, coupled with habitat destruction due to urban development and climate change, threatens their survival. The shifting climate also impacts their hydration sources, as oceanic fog patterns change.
Dr. Pablo Guerrero from the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity notes, “Poached copiapoa cacti often appear grey and dusty, while cultivated plants are greener. Distinguishing between the two can help curb illegal trade.”
Conservation and Collaborative Efforts
The IUCN Red List now includes 163,040 species, with 45,321 threatened with extinction. This update highlights both the challenges and potential solutions for conservation. Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, remarks, “While the Red List reveals increasing pressures on biodiversity, it also offers pathways for recovery through science-based and collaborative efforts.”
Kathryn Fowler from Botanic Gardens Conservation International underscores the importance of local expertise in protecting tree species in Borneo, while Anne Bowser of NatureServe stresses the need for continued scientific assessments to inform conservation priorities.
Dr. Steven Bachman from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, warns of the urgent need to address the rising extinction risk for copiapoa cacti, driven by high demand and environmental pressures.
In conclusion, as the world faces escalating threats to its wildlife, it is imperative to support and expand conservation initiatives. Effective action requires global collaboration, informed by the comprehensive data provided by the IUCN Red List.
