Around the world, 25% of species of plants and animal groups are vulnerable to extinction.
12. Po‘ouili
The Po‘ouili of East Maui was the most endangered group of forest birds in Hawai’i and was only discovered in 1973.
In 1981, it was estimated that the Po‘ouili population consisted of only about 150 birds; in 2003, only three were known to still be in existence.
Many efforts to protect the Po‘ouili and other Hawaiian birds have taken place since 1999, but even last-ditch mating efforts failed and the two last birds were seen in 2004.
Like other native Hawaiian birds, the Po‘ouili is assumed to have been driven to extinction by disease, habitat loss, and introduced predators.
13. Yellow Blossom Pearly Mussel
The yellow blossom pearly mussel was once found in the rivers of Tennessee and Alabama.
It was listed as endangered in 1976 and was last collected alive in 1967.
GblCtn
The yellow blossom was driven to extinction by impoundments for flood control, barge canals, pollution, and other human-related changes to its habitat.
14. Scioto Madtom
The Scioto madtom, believed to be endemic to the Scioto River Basin in Ohio, was listed as endangered in 1975 and last collected in 1957.
Only 18 specimens of this bottom-feeding fish have ever been collected.
GlbCtn
Its population and original habitat have been greatly reduced by pollution and strong flooding, which have practically wiped out the entire area in which they once lived.
15. Moloka’i Creeper
Endemic to Hawai’i, the Molokai creeper was listed as endangered in 1970 and many efforts to protect the bird and its habitat have taken place since.
The creeper was common in 1907 but faced the threat of extinction by the 1930s. The last sighting of this scarlet shaded bird was in 1963.
Like other extinct species in Hawai’i, loss of habitat, avian disease, and invasive predation led to its disappearance.
16. Stirrupshell Mussel
The stirrupshell mussel, which once lived in Alabama and Mississippi, was declared endangered in 1987 and was last detected alive in 1978.
Dead specimens were observed in 1986. Like the flat pigtoe, alterations to the stirrupshell’s habitat drove the mussel to extinction.
17. TubercledBlossom Pearly Mussel
Once abundant in the eastern US and southern Ontario, the tubercled-blossom was listed as endangered in 1976 and due to habitat alteration, the last individual was found freshly dead in 1969.
18. Large Kaua’i Thrush (Kamao Thrush)
The large Kaua’i thrush was listed as endangered in 1970 and by that time only had a population of 337.
Due to its small population size and threats of avian disease, predation, and habitat loss, the last credible sighting of the thrush occured in 1987.
19. Upland Combshell Mussel
Due to habitat modification, water quality degradation, and sedimentation, the upland combshell mussel was declared endangered in 1993.
Once found in the rivers of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, the upland combshell has not been detected for over three decades; the last known individuals were collected in the late 1980s.
20. GreenBlossom Pearly Mussel
The green-plossom pearly mussel was once found in the streams of Virginia and Tennessee and was listed as endangered in 1976.
The mussel was always extremely rare and believed to have had a lifespan of up to 50 years.
GblCtn
Due to significant alterations to its habitat, the last known detection of the species alive was in 1982.
21. TurgidBlossom Pearly Mussel
The turgid-blossom pearly mussel, listed as endangered in 1976, was once found in the rivers and streams of Alabama and Tennessee.
The last known sighting of the mussel was of a freshly dead specimen, collected in 1972.
Like the other now-extinct mussels in this list, the turgid-blossom pearly mussel was driven to extinction by habitat alterations and pollution.
22. Maui Nukupu’u
The Maui nukupu’u was a Hawaiian honeycreeper that was listed as endangered in 1970.
Endemic to the island of Maui, the Maui nukupu’u was estimated to have a population of 28 in 1980.
The last sighting of the olive green and yellow bird occurred in 1996, falling victim to the same fate of the multitude of Hawaiian birds that have gone extinct since foreigners stepped foot on the islands.
What can we do to protect endangered species and biodiversity?
The ESA has saved 291 species in the US since 1973, so it is entirely possible to prevent a species from going extinct before it’s too late.
“Extinction, especially in the US, is preventable,” said Teirra Curry, a conservation biologist at the Center for Biological Diversity.
For full detail click the link 🔗 below,
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/animal-extinct-biodiversity-2021/
But for now, we mourn the losses of 2021 with the promise that we will protect the 1 million species around the world fighting for survival.
LTA Work Of Art 