Common hippopotamus, Hippopotamus amphibius
1996: Least Concern
2006: Vulnerable
In 1994 the Common Hippo were just that: common. However, recent estimates suggest that over the past 10 years there has been a 7–20% decline of their numbers. Principal threats are hunting for meat and ivory (found in the canine teeth) and habitat loss. Illegal or unregulated hunting is particularly high in areas of civil unrest. Photo by Glen Feldhake Read more

Giant devilray, Mobula mobular
2000: Vulnerable
2006: Endangered
This huge, plankton eating ray would glide easily through the Mediterranean if it were not for the fishing industry. An unintentional victim of long-lines, trawls and fixed tuna traps among other fishing equipment, this species is particularly vulnerable because of its limited range and low reproductive capacity. Photo by Maurizio Wurtz

White-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla
2004: Near Threatened
2006: Least Concern
Recovery of the white-tailed eagle in most of Europe has moved it one step further from the threatened categories of the Red List. Though some populations continue to decline, the species has increased virtually everywhere since 1990. The European population is now estimated at 5,000-6,000 pairs, encompassing 50-74% of the global population. Photo by Chris Gomersall, RSPB Images

Tricoloured blackbird, Agelaius tricolor
Least Concern
2006: Endangered
Recent censuses in California revealed a dramatic decline in numbers of this native bird from 700,000 individuals in 1934 to just 162,000 in 2000. The decline is attributed to loss of nesting habitat, low reproductive success and breeding problems in harvested agricultural fields. Photo by Dave Menke, USFWS

Pygmy hippo, Hexaprotodon liberiensis
1996: Vulnerable
2006: Endangered
The small, forest-dwelling pygmy hippo lives only in a 5,000 km² area of West Africa and the quality of its habitat is eroding rapidly. Habitat destruction is a double threat as deforestation facilitates access for bushmeat hunters, further threatening the species. Fewer than 3,000 are estimated to remain. Photo by Susan Stone.

Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
Least Concern
2006: Near Threatened
Though it migrates from Ireland as far as Australia the blacktailed godwit is having trouble finding suitable nesting sites. The impact of wetland drainage, agricultural intensification, hunting, water pollution and drought in this bird’s habitat has forced the population down by 30% in 15 years. Photo by R. Czeneszkiewiiz

Alburnus akili (freshwater fish)
1996: Vulnerable
2006: Extinct
This freshwater cyprinid fish of Lake Beysehir, Turkey began disappearing after the introduction of the predatory pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) in 1955. It was last seen in 1998. Pikeperch have led to the decline of other native freshwater fish in the many places where it has been introduced.

Common skate, Dipturis batis
2000: Endangered globally, Critically Endangered in shelf and enclosed seas
2006: Critically Endangered globally
Not so common anymore, the common skate has now disappeared from most of its range (Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea) owing to overfishing and bycatch. Urgent action is needed to define non-trawling areas and impose mesh size regulations to avoid capture of eggs. Photo by Davey Benson

Dama gazelle, Gazella dama
1996: Endangered
2006: Critically Endangered
Once widespread in the Sahel and sub-Sahara region of Africa, uncontrolled hunting and habitat degradation have caused an 80% population crash in the last 10 years. Fewer than 500 animals are believed to exist in the wild. Photo by David Mallon

Goitered Gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa
2003: Near Threatened
2006: Vulnerable
Widespread across the deserts and steppes of the Middle East and central Asia, numbers were estimated at 120,000-140,000 in 2001. The population is estimated to have declined by over 30% in the past 10 years in former strongholds. Kazakhstan and Mongolia have seen drastic recent declines due to heavey poaching. Photo taken in Bamou NP, Iran by Mahmoud Hemami

Thick-billed Ground Dove, Gallicolumba salamonis
2004: Critically Endangered
2006: Extinct
Only known from two specimens collected in the Solomon Islands of Makira (1882) and Ramos (1927), recent surveys on both islands have failed to find any birds. Its decline and extinction are due to introduced predators (cats, rats and pigs), habitat loss and hunting. There is no longer any reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.

Abbott's Booby, Papasula abbotti
2004: Critically Endangered
2006: Endangered
Restricted to a limited area of suitable nesting habitat on Christmas Island, Australia, this tree nesting seabird was declining due to habitat clearance and degradation caused by the introduced yellow crazy ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes). The ants have now been brought under control and nesting habitat quality is improving. Photo by Tony Palliser/ BirdLife

Angel shark, Squatina squatina
2000: Vulnerable
2006: Critically Endangered
So named because of its bizarre shape, the bottom-dwelling Angel Shark was once common in the coastal waters of the northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Seas. Dramatic declines due to trawling and by-catch have seen it disappear from many areas over the past 50 years. Photo by Simon Rogerson

Polar bear, Ursus maritimus
1996: Lower risk/conservation dependent
2006: Vulnerable
Photo by Robert and Carolyn Buchanan

Chondrostoma scodrense (fish)
1996: Vulnerable
2006: Extinct

Kirtland's Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii
2004: Vulnerable
2006: Near Threatened
Confined to Michigan state, USA, numbers reached an all time low of 167 singing males in 1974 and again in 1987, following the loss of a third of its breeding habitat since 1960, and poor breeding success. Numbers increased to 1,202 singing males in 2003 – the highest since 1951 – following measures to increase habitat and reduce nesting failure. Photo by Dave Currie