Critically endangered (CR)

Definition

Critically endangered is the highest risk category assigned to species that are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. These species have very small populations or are experiencing a rapid decline in their population size.

Analogy

Imagine a group of friends playing a game where they have to balance on a narrow beam. The person who is critically endangered is the one who is about to fall off the beam and be eliminated from the game.

Related terms

Endangered (EN): This term refers to species that are at a high risk of extinction in the wild, but not as severe as critically endangered.

Vulnerable (VU): This term refers to species that are at a lower risk than critically endangered and endangered, but still face significant threats to their survival.

Extinct (EX): This term refers to species that no longer exist in the wild or anywhere else on Earth.