The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies a species as extinct in the wild (EW) if it is known only by living members kept in captivity or as a naturalized population outside its historic range due to massive habitat loss. Extensive surveys in known and/or expected habitats at appropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual) throughout a taxon's historic range fail to record an individual. Surveys should be over a time frame appropriate to the taxon’s life cycle and life form. In this article, we will discuss IUCN Classification - Extinct in the Wild (EW) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

List of Animals that are Extinct in the Wild

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed 33 extinct animal species in the wild as of July 2016.
• Approximately 0.05 percent of all evaluated animal species are listed as extinct in the wild. The IUCN also lists five animal subspecies as extinct in the wild.
• Following is a complete list of extinct animal species and subspecies as determined by the IUCN.

Amphibians

• Wyoming toad (Anaxyrus baxteri)
• Kihansi spray toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis)

Mammals

• Pere David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus)
• Scimitar Oryx(Oryx dammah)

Reptiles

• Christmas Island blue-tailed skink (Cryptoblepharus egeriae)
• Christmas Island chained gecko (Lepidodactylus listeri)

Fish

• Banded allotoca (Allotoca goslinei)
• Potosi pupfish (Cyprinodon alvarezi)
• La Palma pupfish (Cyprinodon longidorsalis)
• Charco Palma pupfish (Cyprinodon veronicae)
• Ameca shiner (Notropis amecae)
• Kunimasu (Oncorhynchus kawamurae)
• Golden skiffia (Skiffia francesae)
• Beloribitsa (Stenodus leucichthys)
• Monterrey platyfish (Xiphophorus couchianus)
• Swordtail marbling (Xiphophorus meyeri)

Birds

• Hawaiian Crow(Corvus hawaiiensis)
• Spix's macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii)
• Curassow, Alagoas (Mitu mitu)
• Guam kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus)
• Socorro dove (Zenaida graysoni)

What is Reintroduction?

• The deliberate release of individuals into the wild, from captivity, or from other areas where the species survives, is known as reintroduction.
• Even if their natural habitats were restored, reintroducing EW species into the wild may be difficult because survival skills, which are often passed down from parents to offspring during parenting, may have been lost.
• Przewalski's horse is an example of a successful reintroduction of a formerly EW species, and it is now considered endangered as of 2018.
• Another successful case in point is the Arabian Oryx, which is now considered vulnerable but not endangered.

Conclusion

Wildlife on Earth is under attack from all sides, including habitat loss and the effects of climate change. Illegal wildlife trade, habitat destruction, invasive species, pollution, and climate change are some of the most serious threats to wildlife. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that 27,000 of the assessed species are on the verge of extinction.

FAQs

Question. What does 'Extinct in the Wild' (EW) mean in the IUCN classification?

Question. What are some examples of species categorized as EW?

Question. What are the primary causes of species becoming Extinct in the Wild?

Question. Can species categorized as EW be reintroduced into the wild?

Question. How does the EW category help in conservation?

MCQs

1. What does 'Extinct in the Wild' (EW) indicate in the IUCN Red List?

A) A species that no longer exists anywhere on Earth

B) A species that exists only in captivity or controlled environments

C) A species with declining population trends in the wild

D) A species that has not been observed for the past 50 years

2. Which of the following is an example of an EW species?

A) Dodo

B) Hawaiian Crow

C) African Elephant

D) Bengal Tiger

3. What is a common cause of species becoming EW?

A) Natural disasters

B) Overexploitation and habitat destruction

C) Lack of predators

D) High reproductive rates

4. How can species categorized as EW be conserved?

A) Through captive breeding and habitat restoration programs

B) By relocating them to urban areas

C) By cross-breeding with other species

D) Through complete abandonment of conservation efforts

5. What is the significance of the EW category in the IUCN Red List?

A) It confirms that the species is extinct globally

B) It promotes conservation efforts for critically endangered species

C) It identifies species that need protection in natural habitats

D) It highlights species that are alive but not in the wild

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1. Discuss the significance of the 'Extinct in the Wild' (EW) category in global biodiversity conservation.

Answer: The 'Extinct in the Wild' (EW) category in the IUCN Red List serves as a crucial indicator of biodiversity loss. It highlights species that are on the brink of complete extinction, surviving only in controlled environments such as zoos and botanical gardens. This classification raises awareness about the dire need for conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, captive breeding, and reintroduction programs. By identifying such species, it promotes targeted actions to address the threats that caused their extinction in the wild, ensuring they are not lost forever. The EW category thus plays a pivotal role in global conservation strategies.

Q2. Analyze the challenges in reintroducing species categorized as Extinct in the Wild into their natural habitats.

Answer: Reintroducing species categorized as EW into their natural habitats is fraught with challenges. The primary issue is addressing the threats that led to their extinction, such as habitat destruction, poaching, or invasive species. Restoring degraded ecosystems is often time-consuming and resource-intensive. Additionally, reintroduced species may struggle to adapt to the wild after prolonged captivity, leading to behavioral and ecological challenges. Genetic bottlenecks due to small captive populations further complicate conservation efforts. Despite these challenges, collaborative initiatives involving habitat restoration, scientific research, and community involvement can enhance the success of reintroduction programs.

Q3. Evaluate the role of captive breeding programs in the conservation of EW species.

Answer: Captive breeding programs play a vital role in conserving EW species by maintaining viable populations in controlled environments. These programs prevent complete extinction, enabling genetic preservation and eventual reintroduction into the wild. For example, the Hawaiian Crow and Scimitar-horned Oryx have been successfully bred in captivity. However, the success of these programs depends on their ability to address the root causes of extinction, ensure genetic diversity, and restore suitable habitats. While challenges like high costs and ethical concerns persist, captive breeding remains a critical tool in preventing the loss of biodiversity.

Previous Year Questions on Extinct in the Wild (EW)

1. UPSC CSE (IAS) Prelims 2021

Question: What is the purpose of the IUCN category 'Extinct in the Wild' (EW)?

Answer: The EW category in the IUCN Red List highlights species that no longer survive in their natural habitats but exist in captivity or controlled environments. This classification underscores the critical status of such species, encouraging focused conservation efforts like captive breeding and habitat restoration. It also raises awareness about the human-induced factors leading to their extinction in the wild.

2. UPSC CSE (IAS) Mains 2020

Question: Analyze the importance of the IUCN Red List categories, particularly 'Extinct in the Wild,' in global biodiversity conservation.

Answer: The IUCN Red List is a comprehensive tool for assessing the conservation status of species worldwide. The 'Extinct in the Wild' (EW) category is particularly important as it identifies species on the brink of complete extinction. By highlighting such species, it fosters targeted conservation strategies, such as captive breeding and reintroduction programs. The EW category also provides insights into the impact of human activities like habitat destruction and overexploitation on biodiversity. While it raises awareness about species conservation, addressing the root causes of extinction is crucial to achieving long-term ecological balance and sustainability.