Around a million of the planet’s estimated eight million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction within decades, an international group of scientists warned in a report released on Monday. The report, described as “the most comprehensive ever” assessment of the loss of species worldwide, has found that the current rate of species extinction is higher compared to the average over the past 10 million years. It said human actions have driven at least 680 vertebrate species to extinction since 1500 AD, including the Pinta giant tortoise in the Galapagos islands in 2012. “The threat to amphibians worldwide mirrors the threat to amphibians in India,” said S.D. It has pointed out successful conservation efforts that have saved from extinction at least 26 bird species and six ungulates, including the Arabian Oryx and the Mongolian wild horse.

Source: The Telegraph May 06, 2019 19:07 UTC