其實不管是「瀕危」或是「易危」,都還是屬於「受威脅」(Threatened)的物種。在世界自然保護聯盟(International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN)的分類中,「受威脅」的分類共有三種,「易危」、「瀕危」、以及「極危」(Critically Endangered)。往下就是「滅絕」(Extinct)了。
雖然阿拉伯大羚羊的復育成功是個好消息,但更多的物種因為棲地破壞、人為捕殺等因素被列入「極危」名單,最近新列入名單的包括了斯歐島眼鏡猴(Siau Island tarsier)以及八種兩棲類;事實上全世界的兩棲類大約有四成(41%)都瀕臨絕種,而有三分之一的龍蝦(lobster)目前到底全世界有多少數量並不清楚,還必須作進一步的調查。
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不知道多少人聽過「美國」(America)合唱團的’The Last Unicorn”呢?
When the last eagle flies over the last crumbling mountain
And the last lion roars at the last dusty fountain
In the shadow of the forest though she may be old and worn
They will stare unbelieving at the last unicorn
When the first breath of winter through the flowers is icing
And you look to the north and a pale moon is rising
And it seems like all is dying and would leave the world to mourn
In the distance hear the laughter of the last unicorn
I’m alive, I’m alive
When the last moon is cast over the last star of morning
And the future has passed without even a last desperate warning
Then look into the sky where through the clouds a path is formed
Look and see her how she sparkles, it’s the last unicorn.
I’m alive, I’m alive