10 Animals That Went Extinct Recently
Spix’s Macaw | Wildlife Nomads
Earth has always experienced cycles of extinction, once up to 95% of all species went extinct. But today, species are disappearing at an alarming and “unnatural rate”. Scientists widely agree that we are in the sixth mass extinction, driven largely by human activity. Unlike past extinctions caused by asteroid impacts or volcanic eruptions, this crisis is fuelled by habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, overhunting, and invasive species. And why would we care? Probably society and countries will keep existing. The truth is we don’t know how much the could affect us. Many species vanish before they are even studied, and their loss has cascading effects on ecosystems worldwide. Here you will find 10 species that have vanished forever or from the wild.
1. Bramble Cay Melomys (Melomys rubicola)
Native to Bramble Cay, a small coral cay in Australia’s Torres Strait, this tiny rodent made history as the first mammal declared extinct due to climate change. Rising sea levels and storm surges inundated its low-lying habitat, wiping out its food sources and shelter. By the time scientists mounted conservation efforts, it was too late—surveys conducted between 2011 and 2014 found no trace of the species. Officially declared extinct in 2019, the Bramble Cay melomys stands as a grim warning of how climate change threatens island species.
Bramble Cay Melomys extinct in 2019 | State of Queensland, CC BY 3.0 AU, via Wikimedia Commons
2. Smooth Handfish (Sympterichthys unipennis)
Once abundant in the coastal waters of southeastern Australia and Tasmania, the smooth handfish was the first marine fish declared extinct in 2020. This species was notable for its bizarre “walking” movement using its pectoral fins. Its disappearance is largely attributed to overfishing, habitat degradation, and declining water quality caused by human activities. Though little is known about its exact population decline, the smooth handfish’s extinction raises concerns about how many other marine species may be silently vanishing due to oceanic destruction.
Smooth Handfish went extinct in 2020 | Photo: Animalia
3. Chinese Paddlefish (Psephurus gladius)
Dubbed the “Yangtze River giant,” the Chinese paddlefish could reach lengths of 7 meters (23 feet), making it one of the world’s largest freshwater fish. A relic of the dinosaur age, this species thrived in China’s Yangtze River for 200 million years. However, it was driven to extinction by overfishing and dam construction, particularly the Three Gorges Dam, which blocked its migration routes. The last confirmed sighting was in 2003, and by 2020, it was officially declared extinct. This marks the loss of one of the most ancient freshwater species, highlighting the devastating impact of river damming and habitat fragmentation.
Chinese Paddlefish | Photo by Alneth, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4. Pō‘ouli (Melamprosops phaeosoma)
Once found in the dense forests of Maui, Hawaii, the Pō‘ouli was a small brown-and-gray honeycreeper that thrived on native insects and fruits. Unfortunately, deforestation, invasive predators like rats, and mosquito-borne avian diseases pushed its population into rapid decline. By the 1990s, fewer than three individuals were known to exist, and despite conservationists’ desperate attempts to breed them in captivity, the species was lost. The last known bird was captured in 2004 but died soon after, marking the extinction of yet another Hawaiian forest bird in the ongoing island biodiversity crisis.
Pō‘ouli | Getty images
5. Northern White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni)
Once roaming across Central Africa, the northern white rhino has been functionally extinct since 2018, when the last known male, Sudan, died. Relentless poaching for rhino horn wiped out wild populations, and only two females remain in captivity, making natural reproduction impossible. While scientists are racing against time to use advanced reproductive technology and cloning to bring the species back, the northern white rhino serves as a powerful symbol of how illegal wildlife trade can devastate a species in mere decades.
Only two females remain in captivity of the Northern White Rhino | Getty Images
6. China’s Baiji (Lipotes vexillifer) – The Lost River Dolphin
Once an icon of China’s Yangtze River, the Baiji was one of the few freshwater dolphins in the world. Industrialization, pollution, illegal fishing, and excessive boat traffic rapidly destroyed its habitat. By the early 2000s, sightings became increasingly rare, and extensive surveys in 2006 found no surviving individuals. Scientists now consider it functionally extinct, making it the first dolphin species driven to extinction by human activity. The loss of the Baiji is a stark reminder of how unchecked industrialization and pollution can push species to the brink.
China’s Baiji was declared functionally extinct | Getty Images
7. The Maui ʻĀkepa (Loxops ochraceus)
A tiny orange songbird native to Maui’s montane forests, the Maui ʻĀkepa was driven to extinction by a familiar combination of habitat destruction and avian diseases spread by mosquitoes. These threats, exacerbated by climate change, pushed its population into freefall. Despite conservation efforts, no confirmed sightings have occurred since the early 2000s, and it is now presumed extinct. The loss of the Maui ʻĀkepa is yet another example of how Hawaii’s bird species are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Maui ʻĀkepa | Photo by Hawaii Government
8. Pyrenean Ibex (Capra pyrenaica pyrenaica) – The First "Cloned Extinct" Animal
Once found in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France, the Pyrenean ibex was hunted relentlessly until the last individual, named Celia, died in 2000. In an unprecedented effort, scientists attempted to clone the species in 2003, successfully producing a single cloned ibex. However, it died shortly after birth due to lung defects, making it the first species to go extinct twice. The Pyrenean ibex’s fate showcases the difficulties of using cloning as a tool for species restoration.
Pyrenean Ibex | KKPCW, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
9. Jalpa False Brook Salamander (Pseudoeurycea exspectata)
This rare amphibian from Guatemala was last seen in 1975 and officially declared extinct in 2019. Once inhabiting moist cloud forests, it vanished due to severe deforestation and habitat destruction. With little research conducted on its ecology, conservationists had few chances to intervene. The disappearance of this salamander underscores how fragile amphibians are in the face of environmental change, with habitat destruction posing a critical threat.
Jalpa False Brook Salamander | Photo by iNaturalist
10. Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) – Extinct in the Wild, But Not Gone
Famed as the inspiration for the animated movie Rio, the Spix’s macaw was driven to extinction in the wild by habitat destruction and illegal pet trade. By the 2000s, the last wild individuals had vanished, leaving only a few in captivity. However, hope remains—conservation programs have successfully bred the species in captivity, and in 2022, reintroduction efforts began in Brazil. While still considered extinct in the wild, the Spix’s macaw is a rare example of how careful breeding programs can help revive a species.Who’s Next? Species on the Brink
Spix’s Macaw remain in captivity | Photo by iNaturalist
Many other species are dangerously close to extinction, including:
Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum): Wild populations are nearly gone due to pollution and habitat destruction.
Vaquita (Phocoena sinus): With fewer than 10 individuals left, this small porpoise could disappear within years due to illegal fishing.
Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis): Also known as the "Asian unicorn," this species is so rare that it has only been documented a handful of times in the wild.
These species highlight the urgent need for conservation and stronger global efforts to protect wildlife before it's too late.
A Call to Action
The extinction of these animals is a reminder of the impact humans have on the planet. From deforestation and poaching to climate change and pollution, we are the primary drivers of biodiversity loss. However, there is still hope. Conservation success stories like the return of the California condor, Arabian oryx, and golden lion tamarin prove that when we take action, species can be saved.
We must prioritize wildlife conservation, support sustainable practices, and demand stronger environmental policies. Because if we don’t, more species will join this tragic list, and future generations will only know them through old photographs and museum exhibits.
Every extinction is a loss for humanity. The question is: how many more are we willing to lose?
