The latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ delivers a stark warning about the accelerating biodiversity crisis, highlighting the dire situation for Arctic seals facing extinction and a widespread global decline in bird populations. Yet, amid these urgent challenges, the impressive recovery of the green sea turtle offers a powerful testament to the effectiveness of dedicated, long-term conservation efforts, reminding us that collective action can indeed turn the tide.
For those of us deeply invested in the long-term health of our planet, the release of the updated IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is always a pivotal moment. More than just a list, it serves as a critical diagnostic tool, much like a global thermometer indicating the health of Earth’s biodiversity. This year’s update, unveiled at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi on October 10, 2025, presents a complex picture of accelerating threats alongside inspiring stories of conservation success.
With 172,620 species assessed and a staggering 48,646 now threatened with extinction, the data is sobering. As Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, articulated, this update “shines a light on both the urgent challenges and the powerful possibilities before us.” It’s a call to action, especially as we look towards upcoming global climate negotiations.
Arctic Seals: The Frozen Frontline of Climate Change
The Arctic, warming an alarming four times faster than other regions globally, is dramatically impacting its unique inhabitants. Three species of Arctic seals have been pushed closer to the brink of extinction. The hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) has moved from vulnerable to endangered, while the bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) and harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) are now classified as near threatened, having previously been of least concern.
These seals are intrinsically linked to sea ice, relying on it for crucial life stages:
- Breeding and raising pups: Stable ice platforms are essential for their reproductive cycles.
- Moulting and resting: They use ice as a safe haven to shed their fur and recuperate.
- Accessing foraging areas: Sea ice acts as a gateway to their feeding grounds, where they hunt fish and invertebrates.
As sea ice thins and disappears, these vital activities become increasingly perilous. The increased human accessibility to the Arctic due to less ice also introduces additional pressures such as shipping, noise pollution, oil and mineral exploitation, hunting, and bycatch in fisheries. Dr. Kit Kovacs, co-chair of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission Pinniped Specialist Group, emphasizes that protecting these species is not just about seals, but about “safeguarding the Arctic’s delicate balance, which is essential for us all.”
Beyond their direct importance, Arctic seals are keystone species. They are a primary food source for predators like polar bears and indigenous communities. Their role in the food web, consuming smaller marine life and recycling nutrients, means their decline could have cascading and devastating effects across the entire Arctic marine ecosystem.
Birds in Decline: A Global Ecosystem Warning
The update also provides a comprehensive, nine-year reassessment of the world’s bird species by BirdLife International, involving thousands of experts. The findings are stark: 61% of bird species globally have declining populations, a significant increase from 44% in 2016. Out of 11,185 species assessed, 1,256 (11.5%) are globally threatened.
The primary driver behind these declines is habitat loss and degradation, overwhelmingly caused by agricultural expansion and intensification, and logging. These human activities are reshaping landscapes at an unprecedented rate, leaving birds with nowhere to go.
Regional Hotspots of Avian Crisis
Specific regions are facing particularly acute challenges:
- Madagascar: Tropical forest loss has led to 14 endemic forest bird species being uplisted to near threatened, and three to vulnerable, including the vibrant Schlegel’s asity (Phile pitta schlegeli).
- West Africa: Five species, such as the black-casqued hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata), are now near threatened, compounded by hunting and trade.
- Central America: Forest depletion has pushed the northern nightingale-wren (Microcerculus philomela) to near threatened.
Birds are not just beautiful; they are indispensable workers in our ecosystems. They act as pollinators, seed dispersers (e.g., hornbills can disperse up to 12,700 large seeds per kilometer each day, aiding carbon storage), pest controllers, scavengers, and ecosystem engineers. Their widespread decline is a clear indicator of a deep-seated biodiversity crisis, echoing Dr. Ian Burfield of BirdLife International’s call for governments to honor their conservation commitments.
However, there are rays of hope. The recovery of the Rodrigues warbler (Acrocephalus rodericanus) from critically endangered to least concern, thanks to native forest habitat restoration, showcases the power of partnership and perseverance.
Green Sea Turtles: A Beacon of Hope
Amidst the grim news, the journey of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) stands out as a powerful testament to successful, sustained conservation. Globally, this species has improved in status from endangered to least concern, with populations increasing by approximately 28% since the 1970s.
This remarkable turnaround is the result of decades of coordinated global efforts focused on:
- Protecting nesting females and their eggs on beaches.
- Expanding community-based initiatives to reduce unsustainable harvesting for consumption.
- Curtailing illegal trade.
- Implementing innovations like turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in fishing gear to reduce accidental bycatch.
Efforts in places like Ascension Island, Brazil, Mexico, and Hawai’i have been particularly successful, with some subpopulations nearing pre-commercial exploitation levels. These majestic creatures are themselves keystone species in tropical marine ecosystems, maintaining the health of seagrass meadows and coral reefs, and holding profound cultural significance worldwide.
While this global improvement is cause for celebration, Roderic Mast, co-chair of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission Marine Turtle Specialist Group, wisely cautions that the green turtle is not entirely out of danger. Ongoing threats include coastal and marine development, continued bycatch, and the pervasive impact of climate change on critical nesting beaches, particularly evident in the southwest Pacific’s Raine Island. The lesson here is clear: sustained conservation and habitat protection are non-negotiable for long-term recovery.
The Bigger Picture: Extinctions and the Road Ahead
The latest Red List update also confirms the tragic loss of six more species to extinction. These include the Christmas Island shrew (Crocidura trichura), a species of cone snail (Conus lugubris), the migratory slender-billed curlew (Numenius tenuirostris), and the plant Diospyros angulata. Additionally, three Australian mammals—the marl (Perameles myosuros), the south-eastern striped bandicoot (Perameles notina), and the nullarbor barred bandicoot (Perameles papillon)—along with a Hawaiian plant, Delissea sinuata, were newly assessed and unfortunately entered the Red List directly as extinct.
These extinctions are a stark reminder of the irreversible consequences of unchecked environmental degradation. The Red List, which is updated regularly to reflect the dynamic state of global biodiversity, serves as a vital database for developing informed conservation strategies.
Our Role: Tech, Data, and Community Action
As enthusiasts for technology and its long-term impact, we understand the power of data and coordinated effort. The IUCN Red List is a prime example of data-driven insights guiding critical decisions. It provides the foundation for strategically investing limited resources where they can have the greatest impact.
The IUCN World Conservation Congress, held once every four years, brings together a diverse array of global leaders, experts, and indigenous peoples to forge solutions for environmental challenges. It’s a powerful demonstration of how collective intelligence can address complex problems.
The interconnectedness of climate and biodiversity is undeniable. As we look towards upcoming events like the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, the insights from the Red List underscore a fundamental truth: damaging biodiversity harms the climate, and conversely, improving biodiversity aids in climate stabilization. By supporting evidence-based conservation and advocating for sustainable practices, we can contribute to a future where both people and nature thrive.
