conservation status

American  

[kon-ser-vey-shuhn stey-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

Example Sentences

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

That can make their conservation status seem more severe than it actually is.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

The European eel is red-listed as critically endangered - it ranks one tier below the conservation status given to pandas, rhinos and tigers.

From BBC • Aug. 30, 2025

Many of the conservation status designation decisions — for example, whether a species is endangered — rely on the information available.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2024