A threatened species is a population of plants or animals which is at a high risk of becoming extinct globally.

IUCN Red List:

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species provides Comprehensive information on the global conservation status of plant and animal species.The Red List is divided into the categories outlined below.

a.Extinct-No member of the species is known to be living.

b.Extinct in the wild-The only surviving members are in captivity.

c.Critically endangered-Faces an extremely high risk of Extinction in the immediate future.

d.Endangered-Faces a very high risk of Extinction in the immediate future.

e.Vulnerable-Faces a hgh risk of Extinction in the medium term.

f.Near threatened-May be considered threatened in the near future.

g.Least concern-No immediate threat to the survival of the species.

h.Data deficient-Data available is uncertain or insufficient.

i.Not evaluated-No assessment of risk of Extinction has been made.

Examples of these animals are:

1.Taita thrush.

Status-Critically endangered.

Numbers-No current data available.

Habitat-Taita Hills in Kenya.

Key threat-Habitat loss.

2.Grevy's Zebra.

Status-Endangered.

Numbers-About 17,000.

Habitat-Northern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia.

Key threats-Habitat loss,hunting(for skin).

3.Hirola.

Status-Critically endangered.

Numbers-Between 500 and 1200.

Habitat-Arid Somali plains on the Kenya-Somali border.

Key threats-Habitat loss,drought.

4.Black rhino.

Status-Critically endangered.

Numbers-About 2600.

Habitat-Eastern,Central and Southern Africa.

Key threats-Poaching,habitat loss.

5.African wild dog.

Status-Endangered.

Numbers-Between 3,000 and 5,500.

Habitat-Eastern and Southern Africa.

Key threats-Habitat loss,hunting,disease outbreaks.

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