For the first time ever, more than 8,000 scientists from the
IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) have come together to identify 100
of the most threatened animals, plants and fungi on the planet. But
conservationists fear they'll be allowed to die out because none of these
species provide humans with obvious benefits.
Professor Jonathan Baillie, ZSL's Director of Conservation
explains: "The donor community and conservation movement are leaning
increasingly towards a 'what can nature do for us' approach, where species and
wild habitats are valued and prioritised according to the services they provide
for people. This has made it increasingly difficult for conservationists to
protect the most threatened species on the planet.