11/11/2025
🚨 Another species has officially been lost.
And it's a serious problem. Here's why.
The slender-billed curlew, once a widespread migratory bird that bred in Central Asia and wintered across Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, has been officially declared globally extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This marks the first recorded global bird extinction from mainland Europe and surrounding regions. Despite early warning signs of decline dating back to 1912, the species vanished quietly, with no confirmed sightings since the mid-1990s. Experts believe a deadly mix of habitat destruction, hunting along migratory routes, and a poor understanding of its breeding ecology sealed its fate.
Beyond the tragedy of its disappearance, the extinction of the slender-billed curlew signals a broader environmental crisis. These birds were not only charismatic waders but also vital indicators of peatland health and aquatic ecosystem stability. Their loss leaves an ecological void that will affect other species. In the UK, close relatives like the Eurasian curlew are also in sharp decline, prompting urgent conservation measures. As habitat degradation accelerates, the curlew's fate serves as a stark warning: without swift, coordinated action, more species will follow. Conservationists hope this moment spurs renewed effort to save the wading birds teetering on the same edge.
Source: Kettel, E. (2025, October 14). The once-widespread species that has been declared globally extinct. The Conversation.
