16 June 2011 Last updated at 09:10

Conservation saves Arabian oryx from extinction

The Arabian oryx has been brought back from the brink of extinction, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Captive breeding and re-introduction efforts have moved the animal from "Endangered" to the less threatened category of "Vulnerable" on the organisation's Red List of Threatened species.

Atelopus patazensis (Image: Alessandro Catenazzi)

This year's Red List update shows that, despite the success story of the oryx, many species are still under threat. Nineteen amphibians have been added to the Red List, with eight classified as Critically Endangered, including Atelopus patazensis, a species of harlequin toad from Peru.

Dendrotriton chujorum, a dwarf species of salamander from Guatemala (Image: Todd Pierson)

Also in the Critically Endangered group is Dendrotriton chujorum, a dwarf species of salamander from Guatemala. Amphibians are one of the world's most threatened species groups, with almost half at risk of extinction. The main threats they face include habitat loss, pollution, disease and invasive species.

Wallace’s Tarsier, Tarsius wallacei (Image: Stefan Merker)

The recently discovered Wallace’s tarsier (Tarsius wallacei) is a forest-dwelling species first described in 2010. Found in just two small areas of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, it is a new addition to this year’s Red List. So little is known about the creature that it has been categorised as Data Deficient.

Siau Island Tarsier (Image: Geoff Deehan)

The Siau Island Tarsier (Tarsius tumpara) is found only on the tiny volcanic island of Siau in Indonesia. It is new to the list this year, and has been classified as Critically Endangered.

Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus)

The IUCN has now completed an assessment of all 248 known species of lobster. A third of them are classified as data deficient, including the Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus). The population of this species is decreasing, primarily because of over-fishing, but very little else is known about it.

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Conservation saves Arabian oryx from extinction

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Big birdwatch

Cool elephants

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Winter wonderland

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