Highlighting conservation success with the IUCN Green Status

We’re excited to be a part of a new initiative by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): the Green Status of Species.

Launched in 2021, the Green Status focuses on the positive impacts of conservation work and highlights how much a species can recover with the right actions. You may already be familiar with its counterpart, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species which defines extinction risk.

The Green Status offers a more hopeful perspective, looking at factors like, species’ current population in comparison to historical numbers, whether it’s still living in its full natural habitat and how well conservation efforts are working.

How Marwell has contributed

For the past 10 years, Marwell has supported the Antelope Specialist Group (ASG). We recently completed our first Green Status assessments for four threatened antelope species. Here’s what we discovered:

Mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni)

• Red List Status: Endangered
• Green Status Recovery Score: 25% (largely depleted)

The mountain nyala’s population numbers are critically low across its range. Without ongoing protection, the species would likely be classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List today.

However, with consistent conservation efforts, the mountain nyala could be classed as Least Concern within the next century, reaching a recovery score of 65% which will mark a substantial improvement in conservation status.

Dibatag (Ammodorcas clarkei)

• Red List Status: Vulnerable
• Green Status Recovery Score: 35% (largely depleted)

The dibatag has received little conservation attention so far, meaning its conservation status is unlikely to improve without action. Our assessment shows that habitat protection and population management could significantly boost its recovery.

Speke’s Gazelle (Gazella spekei)

• Red List Status: Endangered
• Green Status Recovery Score: 25% (largely depleted)

Similar to the dibatag, the Speke’s gazelle has received little active conservation support. Our assessment suggests that without intervention, its status will not improve. However, even small actions, such as creating protected areas or conducting more research, could lead to its recovery score jumping from 25% to 65%.

Heuglin’s Gazelle (Eudorcas tilonura)

• Red List Status: Endangered
• Green List Recovery Score: 25% (largely depleted)

Thanks to existing protections in Ethiopia, Sudan and Eritrea, Heuglin’s gazelle has avoided a large decline in population size. Without these, the species would likely be Critically Endangered today.  Looking forward, we predict that enhanced conservation efforts could help recover this species to the point where it could be classed as Least Concern within the next century.

What’s next?

These IUCN Green Status assessments has given us a greater understanding of the urgent need for conservation action. They show that while many antelope species are still at risk of extinction, targeted conservation efforts can significantly improve their future.

Moving forward, Marwell will continue to collaborate with ASG and support further Green Status assessments, focusing on species at the highest risk of extinction.

Stay tuned for updates, and in the meantime, you can explore the newly published Green Status assessments on the IUCN website. Find the links to the individual animals in the sections above.

How can you help?

Your donations go to supporting the species that need it most. Every contribution helps us protect wildlife both here in Hampshire and across the globe. Donate here.