Extinct in the Wild but Still Around: 5 Plants and Animals Kept Alive by Humans

[UngulateNerd92]

Extinction signifies the permanent loss of an organism from the planet. A "functionally extinct" organism is one that may have a few individuals still living but will never recover (think Martha the passenger pigeon or Lonesome George the Pinta Island tortoise). Some organisms are "extinct in the wild," meaning they can no longer be found in the areas they once inhabited. For most, this damning designation indicates that they are also functionally extinct or in very serious trouble. However, a few "lucky" organisms that are known to be extinct in the wild still have decent populations alive elsewhere in the world. The following is a list of five organisms that have escaped permanent extinction through the work of botanic gardens, zoos, or passionate hobbyists.

Extinct in the Wild but Still Around: 5 Plants and Animals Kept Alive by Humans

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Excellent article / post

Brugmansia is a really interesting one as are the butterfly split fin (could have added numerous other freshwater fish from Mexico too though) and the Panamanian golden frog.

 

[birdsandbats]

I thought there still one wild grove of Ginkgo?

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I thought there still one wild grove of Ginkgo?

All I can find online is it still grows in the wild in two small areas in China, whether these are groves though I don't know

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

The Potosi pupfish didn't feature in the article which is a bit of a disappointment.

 

[tetrapod]

This is a better list but it does include examples of reintroductions too: Extinct in the wild - Wikipedia

 

[UngulateNerd92]

This is a better list but it does include examples of reintroductions too: Extinct in the wild - Wikipedia

Thank you.

 

[Zoovolunteer]

All I can find online is it still grows in the wild in two small areas in China, whether these are groves though I don't know

According to Peter Crane in his excellent book about this ancient tree, best guess is that there were perhaps two or three areas that acted as refugia during the ice ages. In other parts of China, plus the rest of the world of course, ginkgos are probably introduced by people, The tree was more widespread right up to the start of the Pleistocene - even growing in Europe - but at some point it seems its main seed dispersal mechanism stopped working, presumably as a result of extinction of a key seed-disperser, leaving only relict populations to survive.

 

[Zoovolunteer]

Excellent article / post

Brugmansia is a really interesting one as are the butterfly split fin (could have added numerous other freshwater fish from Mexico too though) and the Panamanian golden frog.

I have kept butterfly splitfins myself. They are actually quite easy to keep in an ordinary community tropical fish tank, with females growing to about 7 or 8cm - males are a bit smaller. If anyone has a tank at home they are not often seen in regular shops but any hobbyist group in your area may be able to find some.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I have kept butterfly splitfins myself. They are actually quite easy to keep in an ordinary community tropical fish tank, with females growing to about 7 or 8cm - males are a bit smaller. If anyone has a tank at home they are not often seen in regular shops but any hobbyist group in your area may be able to find some.

That is great ! I wish more people would keep this fascinating little species (but of course I would always advocate responsible pet ownership as I know this species has become invasive in some areas of the US).

 

[vogelcommando]

Here another article about species which were once extinct in the wild, some of which are now living again in the wild, others only still in captivity and some which have become complete extinct :

Study reveals how species once extinct in the wild have bounced back

 

[ChIkEn NuGrEt]

What if there was a zoo or aquarium that only kept animals that were extinct in the wild, maybe they’d also have a small green house too.