16,000 species face extinction

Polar bears are in danger of extinction.According to scientists, the population of this species will decrease by 30% in the next 45 years

Polar bear, hippopotamus . are among more than 16,000 endangered species of plants and animals globally, according to the World Conservation Organization (IUCN) today (2-5). .

Information from the Swiss-based organization said the number of species considered to be seriously endangered has increased to more than 16,000 species compared to about 15,500 species according to the 2004 Red Book published.

According to the 2006 Red List (to be fully published later this week), the list of near-end species includes one-third of amphibians, one-quarter of mammals and one with cones, and one birds . The 2006 Red Book also classifies about 40,000 species depending on the degree of extinction.

' The loss of biodiversity is increasing, not decreasing ,' said Achim Steiner, IUCN's general director. And this can affect the lives and livelihoods of billions of people who depend on them, he said.

The world still does not know how many species there are in total on the planet, but it is estimated that this number is 15 million and this is the most accepted number. However, only 1.8 million species have been identified.

According to IUCN, people are the main cause of the decline of most species, largely due to the destruction of their habitat.

Polar bears are threatened by a warming global condition that causes the ice to melt quickly. According to scientists, the population of this species will decrease by 30% in the next 45 years. And the population of hippopotamus in Congo also decreased by 95%, mostly due to indiscriminate hunting for meat and dentin. Freshwater fish are also decreasing at the highest level due to human activities affecting their habitat .

IUCN warns that ecosystem degradation in wetlands and freshwater ponds will affect human food supplies, clean water and sanitation systems.

WALL VY