Humanity is expanding its world again: number of endangered species reaches a new record

At the end of the year, lists appear everywhere. Let's not forget this one. In 2017, no less than 25,800 plant and animal species are on the red list of species that are threatened with extinction. A sad record, says the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). For comparison, at the end of 2016, there were only 24,000. This year, especially armadillos and koalas are deteriorating. For the sea turtles, there is good news. A brief state of affairs.

1. The "losers"

• Pangolins

Pangolins, of which armadillos are the best-known example, occur in the wild in Africa and South Asia. Since the beginning of January international trade has been banned in all its aspects. Yet the smuggling continues to shave high tops. "It is the most smuggled mammal in the world," says the WWF. In the last 16 years 1.1 million animals have been illegally traded.

• Flying insects

Over the past 27 years, the number of flying insects in Germany alone has dropped by more than 75 percent.

• Central African forest elephants

Between 2008 and 2016, the number of forest elephants dropped by 66 percent in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville and Gabon. There are now less than 10,000 elephants in the region. Main cause: the illegal trade in ivory. Elephants are under pressure all over Africa: in total 100,000 elephants would live in the wild.

• Seahorses

Two types of seahorses occur in the Mediterranean. It is one of my favorite animals (I mean, how cool are seahorses!). Targeted fishing and trade are prohibited, but the animals often end up as "bycatch" in fishing nets. Climate change is also a threat.

• Koalas

According to research by the WWF in Australia, about 80 percent of the marsupials have disappeared since the 1990s. Main causes: urbanization, forest clearing and climate change. Especially the disappearance of the eucalyptus trees, the only food source of koalas, is disastrous.

2. The "winners"

• Sea turtles

In many areas the number of sea turtles is increasing again, according to international counts.

• Persian panther

With only 40 to 60 specimens in the wild, the Persian panther has long been on the verge of extinction. The WWF places the animal species, which occurs in the Caucasus, among the winners because last year at least 5 small cubs could be photographed.

• Irrawaddy dolphin

This whale is found in the tropical waters of Southeast Asia, including the Irrawaddy River. With only 80 specimens the species is threatened with extinction. In Cambodia, 9 young Irrawaddy dolphins have been discovered this year, which makes the WWF hopeful.

• European otter

Especially in Germany the otter is on the rise, the WWF reports. Main causes: improved water quality and a better food supply.

• Blue-throated macaw

Blue-throats are mostly found in certain areas in Bolivia. Only about 300 copies live in the wild. This year, an unknown breeding ground was discovered. The WWF is cautiously positive, although it remains important to protect the animals from illegal hunting.

Sources: WWF, WWF-Malaysia, WWF-Sweden, Cambodia WWF, Stephen Hogg, Ola Jennersten, Michel Gunther, Philipp Kanstinger, Martin Harvey, Gerry Ryan, Tina Hurd