conservation status

American  

[kon-ser-vay-shuhn stay-tuhs, stat-uhs] / ˌkɒn sərˈveɪ ʃən ˌsteɪ təs, ˌstæt əs /

noun

Biology, Ecology.

1. the designation of a plant or animal species’ likelihood of becoming extinct or having already become extinct: the most consulted global ranking system for conservation status is the IUCN Red List.

   Has the conservation status of the narwhal changed over the past five years?

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Etymology

Origin of conservation status

First recorded in 1965–70

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

conservation status

He had found the work rewarding, if not lucrative, because it was ultimately successful: In 2024, the cats’ conservation status was upgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026

More than 70 species of bird were contestants this year, and ranged in conservation status from "doing okay" to "in serious trouble" due to a number of factors including predators and habitat loss.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2025

Unfortunately, so little is known about their conservation status that we couldn't assess their risks.

From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2024

That’s the same conservation status as raccoons and crows.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2024

Founding Director and Principal Scientist at Sea Search Research & Conservation, and at the Department of BotZoo, University of Stellenbosch, Dr. Simon Elwen, is an expert in the ecology, behavior, and conservation status of whales.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 2, 2024

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