Vulnerable species
Topic: Biodiversity and its Conservation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 14 "Biodiversity and Conservation"
Meaning
A vulnerable species is likely to become endangered soon if its threats continue. Its numbers have already fallen sharply. In the current IUCN Red List (version 3.1), Vulnerable (VU) is the lowest of the three "threatened" levels, below Endangered and Critically Endangered. Acting early at this stage can stop a further slide towards extinction.
Example
The snow leopard is Vulnerable. India's first count (SPAI 2024) found about 718 snow leopards, mostly in Ladakh, and Hemis National Park is a stronghold. The one-horned rhinoceros of Kaziranga, Assam, is also Vulnerable.
Don't confuse with
- Endangered species: one step higher in risk. The red panda and the tiger are Endangered. The snow leopard and the rhino are only Vulnerable.