Updated on Monday, October 06, 2008, 00:00 IST

New Delhi, Oct 06: At least 25-36 percent of mammal species are facing the threat of extinction due to habitat deterioration, global warming, pollution and illegal trade in wildlife, according to a global study on mammals released on Saturday.

The study, conducted by over 1800 scientists from 130 countries paints a gloomy picture for sensitive eco-systems, which include Western Ghats in India, tropical Andes and Cameroonian Highlands, where more than 79 percent of the mammal species are under threat.

Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and harp seal (Pagophilaos groenlandicus) are among the species facing threat due to climate change.

Depleting forest cover and pollution has adversely affected the habitat of over 40 percent species.

The reducing number of mammals in Southeast Asia is being driven by illegal wildlife trade raising concern among global researchers.

"Curtail the trade of endangered species. It would do an amazing amount of good for stabilising the situation in South-east Asia, which is biodiversity hot spot," said Andrew Smith, one of the researchers from Arizona University.

The researchers say that overall conservation status of mammals is likely to deteriorate further in the near future, unless appropriate conservation measures are put in place.

The latest Red List of mammal species released at the International Union for Conservation of Nature World at Barcelona today show that 1141 species of the total 5487 mammals species face the threat of extinction. The findings were also published in the latest edition of "Science".

The results show that 188 mammal species are facing highest threat category of "critically endangered". Scientists say 29 species have been listed as possibly extinct.

Bureau Report