The Fauna & Flora international nature conservation group has released its "watch list" for 2024, highlighting species at risk of extinction, including the whale shark.
Among the ten species identified are:
The critically endangered European mink, primarily found in Romania.
A newly discovered species of magnolia from Honduras.
The great hornbill from South Asia.
These species face threats such as habitat loss, climate change, disease, and hunting. The whale shark, which can grow up to 60 feet long, is particularly vulnerable due to targeted fishing, accidental entanglement in nets, and disturbances from tourism.
Fauna & Flora is collaborating with local communities and policymakers in Myanmar, Honduras, and Sao Tome and Principe to enhance protection measures for whale sharks and other shark species.
Other species on the watch list include the Antillean manatee, the grey-shanked douc langur, the African wild dog, and the mountain chicken frog. The organization emphasizes the importance of locally driven conservation efforts in addressing the urgent nature loss crisis.