Animals That Came Into Extinction In 2022
Knowing that some of the special that walk, crawl, fly or swim will cease to exist as a result of human activities is disheartening. Here are some animals that have been declared extinct in 2022.
Every year, we lose more and more species to extinction, and it’s typically because of human activities. Inching towards a greener tomorrow, we have a chance to redeem our species. To fully appreciate our achievements and mourn what we have lost, however, it is necessary to record the extinctions that have occurred. Several of the species that were extinct in 2022 are mentioned in this article. Well, so let’s begin!
Chinese Paddlefish
In 2022, the Chinese paddlefish, sometimes called the “Big Chinese Sturgeon,” was officially listed as extinct. This famous fish supposedly grew to a whopping 23 feet in length, making it the largest member of its genus. The decrease and eventual extinction of the fish are attributable to overfishing & habitat degradation, both of which were worsened by the 1981 building of the Gezhouba Dam.
Yangtze Sturgeon
A native Chinese fish species, the Yangtze sturgeon, will be extinct in the wild by 2022, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). No adults of the species have been seen in the field for many years, and the population has been steadily declining for many more. Factors like overfishing, shipping, dams, pollution, and habitat destruction have all been implicated in this extinction.
Mountain Mist Frog
Australia’s rare Mountain Mist frog, commonly known also as the Nyakala frog, became extinct in the year 2022. Extensive searches have turned up no signs of the species since 1990 when they were last spotted. The Pelodryadinae subfamily, which included this frog, was found in subtropical and tropical wet secondary forests and rivers. The decline in its population is mostly attributable to the loss of its natural habitat and the introduction of the chytrid virus, which has wiped out other amphibian species throughout the world.
The Coote’s Tree Snail
In 2022, the French Polynesian Coote’s tree snail was officially recognized as extinct. The final record of this species dates back to 1934, and its progressive extinction is blamed on hybridization with a different alien species.
Giant Atlas Barbel
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Giant Atlas barbel, animal fish species unique to Morocco, became extinct in the year 2022. The Kasab & Tensift rivers were previously home to a thriving population of this species. Unfortunately, water contamination, especially from household trash, and excessive, unsustainable water collection for irrigation contributed to the extinction or severe decrease of many species.
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker
There is reason to believe that by the end of 2023, the ivory-billed woodpecker, a species endemic to the southeastern United States and Cuba, will be extinct. Habitat loss and poaching have led to a precipitous decline in the bird’s once-robust population in bottomland hardwood and temperate coniferous forests. The American Birding Association and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature both consider this species to be extinct or severely endangered.
Dugong
In 2022, the Chinese government proclaimed the Dugong, a gentle manatee cousin, to be virtually extinct in Chinese waters. The species was “vulnerable to extinction” over much of its range, but it appears to have vanished entirely in China. Dugongs have been deemed “functionally extinct” in Chinese waters, according to research released in July of 2022.
