More than 25% of animal and plant species are under the danger of extinction. This is the saying of scientists who have compiled the Red List of Threatened Species. They have said that some of the species have already been pulled from the brink of oblivion due to intensive conservation work.

The report is launched at the UN Biodiversity Summit in Japan. There governments have gathered to discuss ways to better protect the natural world. The report says that amphibians remain the most endangered category of animals, with 41% of species under danger of extinction, and only 13% birds qualify to be listed for Red-Listing.

“The ‘backbone’ of biodiversity is being eroded,” said Professor Edward O Wilson of Harvard University. He is an eminent ecologist. He also said, “One small step up the Red List is one giant leap forward towards extinction. This is just a small window on the global losses currently taking place.”

The scientists who are behind the assessment say that they have new evidence the conservation projects are having a noticeable global impact. “Really focused conservation efforts work when we do them – many island birds are receiving, lots of examples like this, “said Simon Stuart, chair of the Species Survival Commission with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).”