ASAP species are Critically Endangered land and freshwater vertebrates found in Southeast Asia. Around 80% of ASAP species are endemic to the region, meaning that if they become extinct here they will be permanently gone from the planet.
Land and freshwater vertebrate species
The species that ASAP draws attention to are the most threatened land and freshwater vertebrate species of Southeast Asia and require urgent conservation action.
See the full list of ASAP amphibians, birds, freshwater fishes, mammals and reptiles.
Found in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia has the highest concentration globally of threatened mammals, as indicated in the results of the IUCN SSC Global Mammal Assessment (2008). Across the globe, vertebrate extinction risks are highest in this region.
The region has an extremely high human population density and among the world’s fastest recent rates of habitat loss. Further compounded by commercial scale exploitation of wildlife to meet the escalating demand for wildlife products, these are major drivers of species declines in Southeast Asia.
This is why Southeast Asia is the focus of ASAP's efforts.
Critically Endangered
All ASAP species* are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Red List is the world’s most comprehensive assessment of the conservation status of plant and animal species.
In this internationally accepted system, a Critically Endangered species facing an extremely high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.
To see the full IUCN Red List categories and listing criteria, visit here.
*ASAP species are only considered at the species level and hence sub-species are not currently included on the ASAP species list
Featured image: Thida Leiper/WCS