The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has brought together national red lists from around the world for the first time in one location. From the cliff tiger beetle in the United Kingdom (classified as ‘rare’) to the Asian elephant in Sir Lanka (considered ‘vulnerable’) the website National Red Lists brings together data on over 50,000 species from 40 countries.
While the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has long provided a global assessment of species’ endangerment status, many nations have also created their own lists in order to identify regionally threatened species. In its comprehensive new site, ZSL intends to highlight every species assessment undertaken with hopes that bringing this information together in one easy-to-use place will aid conservationists, biologists, and policy makers in protecting biodiversity both globally and locally.
Additionally the website includes data on the scientists who assessed the species and, where available, on action plans for the species in question.
For scientists and conservationists with knowledge regarding other assessments, the website provides a place to submit new information on species.
ZSL is planning an official launch of the website on June 18th.
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