Are These European Animals Lost Forever?

European conservationists are concerned; they predict that at least 35 European mammal species including the Mediterranean monk seal, Iberian lynx, and the Saiga antelope are destined for extinction unless conservation efforts are put into effect immediately.

The World Conservation Union reports that 35 of Europe's 231 mammal species are classified as "threatened," with others in the "vulnerable," and "endangered" categories, as well as two species that have already gone extinct in the last 500 years.

To make the threat of extinction even more severe for these animals is the fate of other animals in the last 500 years that succumb to extinction. The Sardinian pika, a mammal resembling a rabbit, and the aurochs, a precursor to modern cattle, have both become extinct in the last 500 years. Also, the gray whale, once thriving in European waters, has disappeared from the areas it once inhabited.

The animals currently placed on the most critically endangered list have populations that are steadily declining and their dwindling numbers have researchers concerned that they won't be around much longer. An alarming number of European mammal species have populations that are decreasing, The World Conservation Union reports that 27 percent of Europe's mammals have populations that have decreased in recent years.

The Iberian lynx's last small populations inhabit Spain with only about 150 reported animals. Like wise, the Mediterranean monk seal has only a small remaining population that has fallen to less than 450. The Saiga antelope faces similar population problems as their numbers continue to decline.

Researchers do hold out hope; many think that conservation efforts can save these and the dozens of other animals facing extinction. The bison, once widespread over Europe, faced extinction towards the end of the 19^th century but conservation efforts brought the species back from the brink of extinction. Protection and repopulation efforts built the bison's numbers up enough that they were taken off the "endangered" list although they are still considered vulnerable.

Climate changes and other natural occurrences have pushed many species to extinction, but most conservationists agree that human impact on their habitats through deforestation, pollution, wetland drainage, and over using natural resources has a harsh impact on many species and is responsible for so many species becoming threatened in recent times.

The World Conservation Union, who compiled the report on threatened European mammals, took more than a year to complete its research. It recommends that all mammal species in Europe be monitored closely and conservation efforts begin immediately for the most threatened. Otherwise, many once thriving European species will be lost forever.

Sources: Associated Press