Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank in each of the following questions.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, (12) __________ in 1964. It is considered a critical indicator of the health of the world's (13) __________. The IUCN Red List classifies species into seven categories: Extinct (EX), Extinct in the wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near-threatened (NT), or Least Concern (LC).
After Extinct and Extinct in the wild, (14) __________ risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List is Critically Endangered. A Critically Endangered species is a species (15) __________ is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Endangered is the next most severe conservation status for wildlife. A Vulnerable species is one that is likely (16) __________ endangered if the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction do not improve.
The number of extinct and endangered species is increasing every year. It is estimated that over 40 per cent of the species on Earth are at (17) __________ of extinction. Many countries in the world now have laws to conserve wild species and protect endangered and threatened species. (18) __________, much more has to be done to successfully safeguard the biodiversity of our planet.
