THE ANIMALS THAT ARE CONSIDERED EXTINCT FROM 2023

THE ANIMALS THAT ARE CONSIDERED EXTINCT FROM 2023

Radosław Nawrot  Zwierzęta

Переклад Ігор Шидловський, Соломія Сусуловська

Birds (Aves) comprise a significant part of the extinct animals in 2023. In particular, 10 bird species, three fish species and one mammal species were included in the 2023 list.

We have a terrible situation with the birds of Hawaii, where after many years of searching, eight endemic species have been declared extinct. These diverse birds developed many forms and species on the Hawaiian Islands, same as Darwin's finches on the Galapagos. However, changes in Hawaii in the 19th and 20th centuries, human expansion, pressure from introduced animals (cats, rats, mongooses, ermines) and environmental destruction proved lethal to Hawaii's avifauna.

Hawaiian honeycreepers were the leading group of animals on these islands. For the indigenous people, they were a part of traditions and mythology, and they decorate their clothing with the bird’s feathers. For example, the reddish feathers of the Iiwi Drepanis coccinea, which was last seen in 1988. The attempts to breed this bird in captivity failed as neither the nest nor the eggs were found. The bird was assigned the status of extinct.

The spectacular Kauai akialoa Akialoa stejnegeri, a bird that lived on the island of Kauai and had not been seen since 1965, was also thought to be extinct. This bird had an unusual beak, which was used to extract nectar and insects from inside of flowers. This bird was characterized by clear sexual dimorphism – differences between males and females. Males had a longer beak and olive color of feathers.

The Kauai nukupu Hemignathus hanapepe, called nukupuʻu in Hawaii, was somewhat similar, although it did not have such a long beak. These birds have not been seen since 1989. It has been suggested that hurricanes, including Hurricane Iniki, which devastated Hawaii in September 1992, may have contributed to the disappearance of the last nukupuʻu. In September 2021, the USA Fish and Wildlife Service proposed changing the bird's status to EX, meaning extinct, and unfortunately the proposal was accepted in October 2023. A similar conclusion was made for its relative, the Maui nukupu Hemignathus affinis from Maui.

The Kauai Oo Moho braccatus, a black-plumaged relic that once lived on Kauai and had its original Hawaiian name, O'o'a'a was also recognized extinct this year. This unusual passerine bird lived in burrows. In 1981 one pair of these birds was observed, and in 1985 – only one male. It was the last recorded individual of the Kauai Oo. He was last heard of in 1987. Unfortunately, this year we said goodbye to him.

We also said goodbye to the Kamao Myadestes myadestinus, probably killed by rats, pigs, diseases and deforestation. This bird belonged to the family Turdidae and since 1991, rumors about its existence were only legends. This thrush fed on local fruits and had a beautiful voice that resembled the sound of a clarinet. We will not hear him live again.

The beautiful Kakawahie Paroreomyza flammea from Molokai, last seen in 1963, and Hawaiian black-faced honeycreeper Melamprosops phaeosoma, called poʻouli, also received the status “extinct”.

Two more species are belonging to the list of extinct: the Bridled white-eye Zosterops conspicillatus from Guam, which has not been seen since 1983 and the Bachman's warbler Vermivora bachmanii, which has not been found since 1964. It was previously thought to be extinct in the Bahamas, and now in the southeastern United States.

The Scioto madtom Noturus trautmani from Ohio, USA was included in the list of extinct fish. Madtoms are small freshwater catfishes, known especially in North America. Noturus trautmani was last seen in Big Derby Creek, a tributary of the Scioto, Ohio in 1957.

The San Marcos gambusia Gambusia georgei from the San Marcos River in central Texas is also listed as extinct. It was last seen in 1983 and 40 years later the fish was considered extinct.

The Java stingaree Urolophus javanicus is also officially considered extinct, as it was last seen in the 19th century. Naturalist Eduard von Martens allegedly saw this fish at a fish market in Jakarta in 1862. Julia Constance in 2023 conducted an intensive search for these fish, but not a single individual was found. For this reason, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the species extinct.

Among mammals – the Mariana fruit bat Pteropus mariannus, was common on the island of Guam. Since its description in the 1930s, only three individuals have been caught. The last living specimen was a female caught in 1967. In 1968, scientists detected the last dead individual of this bat, and this was the last time they were seen at all. After 55 years, the Mariana fruit bat was considered extinct. Its extinction was caused by changes in the environment, the introduction of invasive plants, and hunting by the local Chamorra people, for whom the bat was a delicacy.