BBC News | SCI/TECH | Growing threat to rare species

The South American marsh deer faces many threats (Photo: Mariano Gimenez Dixon)
BBC News SCI/TECH Growing threat to rare species: "Those listed as threatened to some degree number 11,046 plant and animal species, in almost all cases because of human activities. IUCN says this means that 24% of mammals and 12% of birds 'face a high risk of extinction in the near future'. The list includes 18,276 species and subspecies. About 25% of reptiles, 20% of amphibians and 30% of fish so far assessed are listed as threatened. Those listed as threatened to some degree number 11,046 plant and animal species, in almost all cases because of human activities. IUCN says this means that 24% of mammals and 12% of birds 'face a high risk of extinction in the near future'. The list includes 18,276 species and subspecies. About 25% of reptiles, 20% of amphibians and 30% of fish so far assessed are listed as threatened. "