6 animal species that will become extinct in 2025

6 animal species that will become extinct in 2025

Extinction is rarely instantaneous. It is a process that unfolds behind the scenes, marked by missed observations, diminishing records, and the slow transfer of hope into the future. In 2025, a small group of species crossed the final bureaucratic threshold and were officially listed on the IUCN Red List as extinct. For science, the change was a technicality, delayed for decades, and for other readers it was perceived as a set of obituaries.

Every year, our planet loses species that have survived for thousands (sometimes millions) of years, only to disappear in a single human lifetime. In 2025, several animals were officially declared extinct or extinct in the wild, and each disappearance reminds us of how fragile Earth's ecosystems really are.

The Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris is a bird that lived on the coasts of mainland Europe, North Africa and Asia. It was last seen in Morocco in 1995, and although considerable efforts were made to see the birds in their main breeding and migratory areas, all was in vain. There are few records of the slender-billed tern's behavior, so it is not fully known why they became extinct. It is believed that the destruction of their habitat for agricultural needs may have played an important and sad role.

The Cone Snail Conus lugubris is a small mollusk (10-24 mm). This species was found only on the northern coast of the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde, in the area of ​​Matiota Beach. The last living specimen was recorded in 1987. The reasons for its extinction are believed to be recreation and tourist development of the coast, in particular, construction that has changed the coastline.

The Christmas Island Shrew Crocidura trichura is a small mammal that became extinct on the remote Australian island of the same name, probably due to a disease carried by introduced rats. This animal lived in high tropical and terraced forests. By 1985, the shrew's population had declined to critical levels, and a survey in 2000 yielded no sightings.

The Nullarbor Barred Bandicoot Perameles papillon is an animal common on the plains of Nullarbor Island (South Australia). It is believed to have become extinct in the mid-twentieth century (between 1920 and 1960). The last time this animal was seen was in 1928. The probable causes of its extinction are predation by introduced feral cats and foxes, habitat degradation by introduced rabbits and livestock, and frequent fires.

The South-Western Barred Bandicoot, Perameles myosuros, is widespread in southwestern Australia. It is unclear when it became extinct due to poor data collection and confusion between different species in the genus Perameles. The last specimen was collected in 1906, and it has been suggested that it became extinct around 1910. Possible causes of extinction include predation by feral cats and foxes, and habitat loss and fragmentation.

The South-Eastern Striped Bandicoot Perameles notina is a common species that lived in southeastern South Australia, northwestern Victoria, and southwestern New South Wales. The cause of the extinction is likely related to the development of agriculture, changes in land use, and the increase in feral cats. The animals have not been observed since the late 19th century.

Thus, the official extinction of the mentioned bandicoots occurred long before scientists recognized it…