The Red data bookis published from time to time by the IUCN. It includes the regional assessment of the status of species and a classification of each into one of the following catagories:

• Extinct
• Endangered
• Vulnerable
• Rare
• Special cases
• Out of danger

The basis for this action is that there have been 1,4 million species of organisms, of a total estimated number of 5-80 million on earth, described to date. The estimates of the rate of extinction of the identified species are:

• during the past 600 million years <10/y;
• during 1970 – 1/day; in 1992 – 1/12min

Causes are various and include habitat destruction, exploitation, foreign invasion, pollution, global warming.

The latest assessment of the status of species in South Africa is :

EXTINCT
Taxa that are known to have become extinct since recorded history

• Blue antelope,
  quagga

ENDANGERED
Taxa in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the causal factors continue operating

• Riverine rabbit
• Wild dog
• Roan antelope
• Golden mole

VULNERABLE
Taxa which are expected to move into the endangered category if the causal factors continue operating

• African wildcat
• Black rhino
• Cheetah
• Giant golden mole
• Pangolin
• Sable antelope
• Suni
• White tailed mouse

RARE
Taxa with small populations which are not endangered or vulnerable but which are at risk.

• SA Hedgehog
• Samango monkey
• African civet
• Aardwolf
• Brown hyaena
• Leopard
• Hippo
• Tree dassie
• Bontebok

OUT OF DANGER / INDETERMINATE

• Moles,
• shrews,
• bats (Indet)

SPECIAL CASE

• Elephant

Interesting note: Taxa = plural of taxon (taxonomy = scientific naming of animals). Genus and Species. Text always in italics.