The Red Data Book (also called the IUCN Red List) keeps a record of all species that are endangered, threatened, vulnerable, or extinct. It is published and maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Red Data Book classifies species into categories based on their extinction risk, helping governments and conservation organisations prioritise protection efforts.
The Red Data Book records all endangered, threatened, vulnerable, and extinct species.
Published by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), founded 1964.
Also called the IUCN Red List.
Categories: EX (Extinct), EW (Extinct in Wild), CR (Critically Endangered), EN (Endangered), VU (Vulnerable), NT (Near Threatened), LC (Least Concern).
Over 150,000 species assessed; 42,000+ threatened with extinction (as of 2024).
Bengal Tiger: Endangered (EN); Great Indian Bustard: Critically Endangered (CR).
Snow Leopard: Vulnerable (VU); Gangetic Dolphin: Endangered (EN).
Used by governments and NGOs for conservation planning and legal protection of species.
The Red Data Book keeps a record of: • All endangered species (at risk of extinction) • Threatened species (likely to become endangered) • Vulnerable species (at risk if conditions worsen) • Rare species (small populations at risk) • Extinct species (no longer existing) • Extinct in the wild (survive only in captivity)
Published by: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland Founded: 1964
The IUCN Red List evaluates species across plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms. It is considered the most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of species.
As of 2024: Over 150,000 species assessed; more than 42,000 threatened with extinction.
The Red Data Book uses these categories (from most to least threatened):
EX — Extinct: No living individuals known anywhere. Example: Dodo (Raphus cucullatus), Passenger Pigeon
EW — Extinct in the Wild: Survives only in captivity, cultivation, or outside its native range. Example: Northern White Rhinoceros (wild population)
CR — Critically Endangered: Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Example: Amur Leopard, Javan Rhinoceros
EN — Endangered: Very high risk of extinction. Example: Tiger (Panthera tigris), Blue Whale
VU — Vulnerable: High risk of extinction if threats continue. Example: Hippopotamus, Polar Bear
NT — Near Threatened: Close to qualifying as threatened. Example: Jaguar
LC — Least Concern: Widespread and abundant. Example: House Sparrow, Domestic Cat
DD — Data Deficient: Not enough data to assess risk.
NE — Not Evaluated: Not yet assessed.
Why the Red Data Book matters:
Conservation planning: Governments and NGOs use it to direct funding and protection to most at-risk species.
Legal protection: Critically endangered and endangered species receive legal protection under national and international laws.
Monitoring trends: Allows tracking of whether species are recovering or declining.
Public awareness: Raises awareness about biodiversity loss and extinction crisis.
Scientific research: Used by researchers to study ecology, evolution, and conservation biology.
Indian examples from Red List: • Bengal Tiger — Endangered (EN) • Snow Leopard — Vulnerable (VU) • One-horned Rhinoceros — Vulnerable (VU) • Gangetic Dolphin — Endangered (EN) • Olive Ridley Turtle — Vulnerable (VU) • Great Indian Bustard — Critically Endangered (CR)
The Red Data Book (IUCN Red List) keeps a record of all species that are endangered, threatened, vulnerable, rare, extinct, or extinct in the wild. It classifies every assessed species into categories based on extinction risk, and is published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Red Data Book is published by the IUCN — the International Union for Conservation of Nature, headquartered in Gland, Switzerland. It was first published in 1964 and is continuously updated.
The IUCN Red List categories from most to least threatened are: EX (Extinct), EW (Extinct in Wild), CR (Critically Endangered), EN (Endangered), VU (Vulnerable), NT (Near Threatened), LC (Least Concern), DD (Data Deficient), and NE (Not Evaluated).
Indian animals in the IUCN Red List: Bengal Tiger (Endangered), Gangetic Dolphin (Endangered), Great Indian Bustard (Critically Endangered), One-horned Rhinoceros (Vulnerable), Snow Leopard (Vulnerable), Olive Ridley Turtle (Vulnerable).
Extinct (EX) means no living individuals exist anywhere — the species is completely gone. Extinct in the Wild (EW) means the species survives only in captivity, botanical gardens, or outside its native range, with no wild population remaining.
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