Article

Extinction

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ranks a species as extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. This might sound like a simple definition, but it isn’t always easy to pinpoint exactly when a species has become extinct.

Young takahē, the top of Tiritiri Island, North of Auckland, NZ.

Young takahē

Takahē are an endangered, flightless bird found only in New Zealand. They were presumed extinct in the 1930s but were rediscovered by Dr Geoffrey Orbell in a remote valley in the Murchison Mountains in 1948. Despite a few examples like this, when a species becomes extinct, it is almost always gone forever.

Rights: Kersti Nebelsiek

Occasionally, a species that has been presumed extinct reappears, for example, in New Zealand, the takahē was presumed extinct in the 1930s but was rediscovered in a remote valley in 1948. Despite a few examples like this, when a species becomes extinct, it is almost always gone forever.

The IUCN also has a separate rank ‘extinct in the wild’ when the species is only known to survive in captivity. Species are also sometimes referred to as ‘functionally extinct’ when only a very small number of individuals survive and factors such as poor health or age mean that they can not successfully reproduce.

Scientists have documented a large number of extinctions in New Zealand. These include at least 3 native frogs and a number of skinks and geckos. It is thought that there may have also been another species of tuatara that is now extinct, but this is difficult to prove without further DNA analysis of fossilised remains.

History of extinctions

Extinction is a natural process. Scientists estimate that up to 98% of all the species that have ever lived are now extinct. Most of these became extinct before the arrival of humans over a period of hundreds of millions of years.

Giant Haast's eagle attacking New Zealand moa painting

Haast’s eagle

This giant Haast’s eagle used to prey on moa. When the numbers of moa decreased, this huge predator died out forever.

Rights: John Megahan, CC Attribution 2.5 Generic

Evidence from the fossil record suggests that there have been at least 5 mass extinctions during the Earth’s history. Mass extinctions are where a large number of species disappear within a relatively short period of time. The most well known example is the Cretaceous–Tertiary mass extinction. This resulted in the disappearance of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

So if extinction is a natural event, why should we be concerned about modern extinctions?

There are 2 main arguments:

  • The extinction rate today is estimated to be significantly higher than the expected natural rate. This increased rate does not allow for ecosystems to recover or other species to occupy vacant niches.

  • The primary cause of modern extinctions is human impact as opposed to natural phenomena.

Causes of extinction

There is no single factor responsible for extinction. Some species may gradually reduce in number over thousands of years as they are out-competed by another species. Others may become extinct very suddenly due to an unprecedented event, such as a large-scale fire.

Conservation rankings

Dr Phil Bishop, from the University of Otago, talks about our native frogs and some of the reasons they are so vulnerable to extinction. He describes the process of assigning a conservation ranking or threat status to a species.

Point of interest: Imagine you are on the expert panel. Make a list of the factors or criteria you would look at to help you decide how to rank a species according to their conservation status.

Jargon alert: IUCN stands for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. They administer the international Red List of Threatened Species.

Rights: The University of Waikato

Internationally, habitat loss and degradation is considered the most significant factor. In New Zealand, the biggest threat is introduced species. Other factors include over-exploitation, pollution, disease and climate change. Some species may be affected by a combination of factors. Species that have a very limited habitat or small population size are particularly vulnerable to extinction.

Nature of science

Collaboration between scientists that have expertise in diverse fields of knowledge is essential to the success of species conservation efforts.
Evidence from historical records contributes to our knowledge of past changes in our world.

The impacts of extinction

The impact of isolated extinctions can be very difficult to predict and measure. In some ecosystems, the loss of one species may have an obvious negative effect, but the loss of another may have little or no immediate effect.

If the species that becomes extinct is a keystone species, the results can be dramatic. The removal of a keystone species characteristically results in a major change, in the same way that removing a keystone from an arch or bridge could cause the structure to collapse. A good example of this in New Zealand is the kererū. Kererū are the only birds that are able to swallow the largest fruits – and disperse the seeds – of many of our native trees, so the extinction of the kererū could result in the loss of many of our native tree species. This would have significant flow-on effects for the whole ecosystem.

From a human-centred perspective, many scientists are concerned about the impact of extinctions on our food supply, control of insect populations and potential medical treatments.

Humans can also experience ecological grief over extinction events. These can help create a strong sense of responsibility for the natural world. Māori and other Indigenous peoples around the world hold worldviews where biological beings are interlinked in a complex web of life.

Captive management

Captive management is an important conservation strategy for species that are threatened in the wild. In this video clip, Dr Kelly Hare, from the University of Otago, talks about her research that aims to develop methods or tools to improve the conditions for captive lizards.

Points of interest

  • Think about what factors scientists need to consider when keeping animals in captivity.

  • In New Zealand, it is illegal to keep any native reptile or amphibian in captivity without a permit. Discuss the possible reasons for this.

Rights: The University of Waikato

What are scientists doing to prevent extinction?

A large number of scientists around the world are involved in research to try and prevent extinction. An important aspect of this work is the collaboration between scientists, zoos and government bodies as well as the general public.

Translocating animals

Associate Professor Alison Cree, from the University of Otago, talks about the importance of translocation for the conservation of our native species. In New Zealand, the Department of Conservation has the authority to approve translocation proposals. They do this in consultation with Māori as well as species experts.

Point of interest
Discuss other conservation methods you may have heard of. Are any of these methods linked to translocation?

Rights: The University of Waikato

In New Zealand, conservation is an important research field. Key conservation tools include habitat restoration, pest eradication, captive breeding, translocation and treatment of disease.

Related content

Find out more about how scientists at the University of Otago are working together to save our native reptiles and amphibians in:

New Zealand has one of the highest levels of biodiversity seen anywhere on Earth, but many of our native species are disappearing – what can we do to protect our treasures?

The article Conservation resources – planning pathways has pedagogical advice and an interactive planning map that groups Hub resources into key science and teaching concepts.

In 2023, Forest & Bird recognised extinct species in the Bird of the Century competition. Find out about why our vote went to the huia and how NZ’s bird of the century contest helps us express ‘ecological grief’.

Activity ideas

Prey behaviour: freeze or flee is a physically active simulation to highlight why mammalian predators have had such a dramatic effect on our native creatures.

Conservation ranking in action explores the processes and criteria used to rank animals according to their conservation threat status.

Threats to biodiversity and Biodiversity battleships explore biodiversity risks and potential consequences of species loss. 

Useful links

Listen to Dr Nelson in the podcast titled Tuatara and climate change, in which he talks about warmer temperatures resulting in an accelerating decline in the proportion of adult female tuatara. Understanding mechanisms underlying population declines is critical in preventing the extinction of endangered populations. Find it on the Te Papa Science express podcasts page.

Find out more about the Department of Conservation's Takahē Recovery Programme.

This April 2022 study has found that more than a fifth of the world's reptiles face imminent extinction.

Published:15 December 2009