An evaluation made by 1300 scientists from around the world that took 5 years to complete was made public in Barcelona at the World Conservation Congress; this assessment reveals some disturbing facts about the world we live in. Shockingly, the study shows that 25% of wild mammals are threatened by extinction.

The study covered all of the animals discovered since 1500, that is about 5, 487 different species of wild animals. From water to land, the study explains how environmental changes affect the animals and, ultimately, the environment and the human race.

Researchers stated that land mammals are in more danger than small ones, as larger species adapt harder to habitat loss and climate change. Hunting is also an issue; some animals are hunted down just for fun or for their skin or ivory, which are high-cost products on the black market. The danger marine mammals face is pollution and getting caught in fishing nets. According to the research 79% of the primates in South and Southeast Asia are on the point of becoming extinct.

Experts say that extinction can be avoided if some drastic measures are taken. This is important because animals, large or small, play a crucial role in the ecosystem, and extinction may cause some major changes to our planet’s health.

The World Conservation Congress didn’t reveal only bad news, it also announced that a lizard believed extinct for 5,000 years was found in the Canary Islands. The La Palma giant lizard is now considered critically endangered but it shows exactly how resilient some animals can be.