extinct in the wild

American  

[ik-stingkt in thuh-wahyld] / ɪkˈstɪŋkt ɪn ðəˈwaɪld /

adjective

Biology, Ecology.

1. (of a plant or animal species) having members growing or living only as a naturalized population or in captivity, but having no known members growing or living independently in a natural habitat, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: EW

   After observing a herd of Père David deer on a reserve in China, we learned that the species is extinct in the wild.

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Etymology

Origin of extinct in the wild

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The ʻakikiki, a honeycreeper native to Kauaʻi, is now considered extinct in the wild largely because of the disease.

From Science Daily • Feb. 11, 2026

With it went the cave roach, which is now extinct in the wild.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2025

It is estimated the species, found in forested areas of Kenya, could be extinct in the wild within two decades after years of poaching.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2024

It is a really serious problem — a lot of them are probably now extinct in the wild.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2023

In a few years, they became extinct in the wild, but not before they had mated with female mockingbirds, creating an entirely new species.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins