near threatened

[neer thret-nd]

adjective

Biology, Ecology.

1. (of a plant or animal species) inclined to be threatened with extinction but not yet qualified as vulnerable, which is the entry level of the three categories of threatened species, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: near threatened species are regularly reevaluated, as an amended classification up to the level of vulnerable is always a possibility: NT

   The list of near threatened orthopterous insects includes several cave crickets and swallowtail butterflies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of near threatened¹

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

In Madagascar, 14 species were newly classified as near threatened and three others were labelled vulnerable.

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In West Africa, five more bird species were found to be near threatened in addition to one more in Central America.

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If a species becomes more at risk - for example, its numbers fall or its habitat is damaged - it may be moved to a higher-risk category such as Endangered; if it recovers thanks to conservation efforts, it may shift to a lower-risk category like Near Threatened or Least Concern.

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The hooded seal has moved from Vulnerable to Endangered, while the bearded and harp seals are now Near Threatened due to shrinking sea ice.

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The country has some 2,000 black rhinos, considered to be "critically endangered", and around 13,000 white rhinos, classed as "near threatened".

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