Threatened vs Endangered Species

The words threatened, endangered, and extinct may not seem very different to us. But for wildlife specialists, the differences are very important. It’s how we understand the unique threats each species faces, and how we devise methods to protect them. It teaches us to better account for an animal’s needs. It’s essentially what enables groups like Paso Pacifico to lead conservation programs across Mesoamerica — and the rest of the world.

What is the difference between extinct, endangered, and threatened species? This article will explain with prominent examples. It also outlines tips on what you can do to protect at-risk animals, even if you’re far from the action.

Endangered Species vs Threatened Species

“Endangered” and “threatened” are two classifications conservationists use to assess the threats posed to each species and how they affect its population. They are usually the most dire of all categories. 

With that said, there are, frustratingly, multiple definitions for what makes a species endangered or threatened. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), for example, lists threatened not as its own category, but as an umbrella term for three at-risk categories: 

• Vulnerable
• Endangered
• Critically endangered

Vulnerable species are those that could become endangered. Endangered species are at risk of disappearing entirely. Critically endangered species are ones that have suffered severe population losses or are projected to decline by 80% within the next three generations.

In the United States, on the other hand, the definitions differ slightly.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) finds any species in “danger of extinction throughout a significant portion of its range” to be endangered. It defines threatened more closely to the IUCN’s understanding of vulnerable: “any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future.”

Regardless of categorization, both endangered and threatened species are given certain protections. This includes active measures to prevent humans from harming, harassing, or killing any members of its species. In the U.S., species that face any of the following challenges can be listed as endangered or threatened: 

• Destruction, or modification of habitat
• Overuse for any purpose — commercial, recreational, educational or otherwise
• Disease or predation
• Lack of regulations
• Natural or human-made factors affecting its existence

Beyond endangered and threatened, the species can also fall into a few other categories. On one end, you have species of least concern, which face no prominent threats to their populations. On the other hand, you have species classified as “extinct in the wild”, which means the only living populations are under human care.

Examples of Endangered Species

It’s an unfortunate fact for conservationists to admit, but there are far too many endangered and threatened species to list in an article. Instead, let’s focus on the five species at the most immediate threat, as per the WWF. 

• The Central American squirrel monkey
• Bairds tapir
• Sea turtles such as the hawksbill and olive ridley
• Jaguars
• Howling monkeys

Poaching and habitat loss have been the biggest challenges for these five species. But even global attention doesn’t guarantee safety.

Take Marcel, the white-faced capuchin made famous by Friends. Millions of people loved him on screen, yet that fame hasn’t done much for his relatives in the wild.

The capuchin is classified as a vulnerable species, despite the best efforts of conservation groups of Mesoamerica to reverse the trend.

When is an Animal Considered Extinct?

When the last member of a species dies, that species is gone forever — officially extinct. It’s the final and most irreversible stage of loss.

For most of history, extinction meant the end of the story. Recently, though, scientists have made small steps toward reversing it. There have been attempts to clone a mountain goat once found in the Pyrenees and to bring back the strange gastric-brooding frog, a species that once hopped through the streams of eastern Australia. There’s also been an international race to revive the woolly mammoth.

Fascinating as these efforts are, no one wants to rely on science to undo what could have been prevented in the first place. The far better approach is to keep species from reaching that point at all — by slowing climate change, preserving wild habitats, and making the threats to endangered animals impossible to ignore.

Some of the most prominent examples of animals that went extinct include:

• The dodo bird. It was last seen in the 1600s
• The woolly mammoth. It last roamed Earth 4000 years ago
• The passenger pigeon. Once abundant. Last seen in the 1900s
• Tasmanian Tiger. A marsupial that was last seen in 1936

These species are particularly notable — maybe because they went extinct relatively recently or because they were so unusual to look at. But they represent only a fraction of the losses. Thousands of others have disappeared without making headlines. The World Wildlife Fund reports that by the best estimates, 200 species go extinct every year. In the worst case? 2,000 species a year.

How You Can Help 

The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert in biology to take action. Neither do you have to actively transport yourself to the forests of Nicaragua, or the wetlands of Southeast Asia.

Each of us has the power to make a difference with small everyday actions. 

Make a statement with your wallet 

Think about what you buy. It may not feel particularly heroic, but choosing products that are sustainably made or forest-friendly sends a clear signal. It tells companies that the customers are watching. That’s real pressure.

Practice eco-tourism

Everybody deserves a vacation, but not every vacation spot needs tourists. When you plan a holiday, avoid overwhelming places that are sensitive. Small choices while you’re there — like supporting a local guide, or cleaning up after yourself — also make a huge difference.

Spread awareness

Talk about it. Sharing stories on social media, in a blog post, even just over coffee with friends, keeps important conversations going. It may not seem like it at the time but you might just start a conversation that leads someone else to act.

Support Conservation Efforts 

Finally, don’t forget to support the troops on the ground. Paso Pacifico is just one of thousands of organizations devoted to protecting wildlife and rebuilding habitats across the world. Our efforts focus on reviving the endangered dry tropical forests and coastal ecosystems of Mesoamerica’s Pacific Slope. We have a massive network of on-ground volunteers who engage with local communities and build extensive programs to protect forests, wildlife, and livelihoods. Your support would go a long way in helping us achieve our goals. Even a small contribution helps us in our important work.