Question

Which of the following is included in those species which are likely to become extinct?
(a) Endangered species
(b) Critically endangered species
(c) Vulnerable species
(d) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: IUCN publishes a red list providing the details of all the species whose population has been declining at an alarming level due to multiple factors. The red panda(Ailurus fulgens) is one of the examples of species that are likely to become extinct.

Complete answer:
IUCN is the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. It publishes a Red List which is a catalog of taxa facing a risk of extinction. It provides the identification and documentation of endangered species. An endangered species is the one that is considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the near future. E.g: Red Panda(Ailurus fulgens).
-The main aim of IUCN is to promote and support the conservation of biodiversity. Many other categories other than endangered species are also included in the Red List like- Extinct, Extinct in the wild, critically endangered, and Vulnerable.
-Many conservation strategies and techniques are also published in the red list which has been followed for 30 years by countries worldwide in order to preserve their natural flora and fauna.
-Critically endangered species are the one which is, at the present, facing a very high risk of extinction. Animals like the Amur leopard, Black Rhino are critically endangered species.
-Vulnerable species are the plants or animals which are in very likely to become endangered in the near future if the conditions that threaten their survival continue .E.g Gangetic dolphin.

So, the correct answer is ‘All of the above’.

Note:
-According to the latest data published by IUCN, $41\%$ of all amphibian species are threatened on the verge of extinction followed by reptiles, mammals, and insects.
-The survival of endangered species has been threatened due to the fragmentation and degradation of their habitat due to excessive deforestation. Many are illegally hunted for their fur, meat, skin, hooves, etc.