La crise d’extinction s’intensifie et le nombre d’espèces menacées augmente[en] 

These are the latest additions to the 2007 Red List of Threatened Species produced by the IUCN - designed to measure the effects of habitat loss on the animal and plant 'kingdoms', as well as damage to habitats caused by over-exploitation, pollution, the introduction of alien species and climate change. 

One in four mammals, one in eight birds, one third of all amphibians and 70% of the world's assessed plants on the Red List are threatened with extinction. Of the 41,415 species featured on the list, 16,306 are at risk of extinction – an increase of 188 on last year. 

IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre said: "This year's IUCN Red List shows that the invaluable efforts made so far to protect species are not enough. The rate of biodiversity loss is increasing and we need to act now to significantly reduce it and stave off this global extinction crisis. This can be done, but only with a concerted effort by all levels of society." 

Over-exploitation of numerous species for food, medicine, domestic pets and other human requirements has led to the growth in the number of species threatened. 

"It is time for people to stop talking and stare the reality in the face – the future of our planet, our children's heritage, is in jeopardy", said Dr. Susan Lieberman, director of the species programme at World Wildlife Federation (WWF), adding: "Do we really want the world to remember us as the flawed generation?" 

The WWF wants the Red List to be used as the basis for the establishment of new conservation priorities. 

"World leaders have put a lot of effort into halting biodiversity loss, but the issue is currently far away from the political agenda. It is nevertheless time to make the link between economic development - the need for long-term, genuinely sustainable development strategy – and a healthy environment", said Lieberman.