The extinction of the subspecies of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis longipes) in West Africa was declared official by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN.
The institution noted that the loss of the mammal was a stunning blow to efforts to preserve such a unique representative of the earth’s biodiversity .
The IUCN warned that the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium cottoni simum) in Central Africa may also suffer the same fate. At the same time, the agency reported that the latest specimen of the Java subspecies of Rhinoceros in Vietnam died. The animal was found in Cat Tien National Park with bullets in the legs and its horn maimed.
The only surviving subspecies of Java Rhino in Indonesia is a small community of 50 individuals.
The Red List this year has more endangered species than ever, and the encouraging news is scarce. The institution reported that at least 25 percent of mammals are threatened with extinction.
The factors that put them under threat include pollution, climate change, habitat loss and invasive species in addition to infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, or simply Bd, a fungus that decimated entire populations of these vertebrates in Costa Rica , Panama and other parts of the world.
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