Differentiation between endangered and extinct species:

Endangered Species:
– Definition: Endangered species are at a high risk of becoming extinct shortly.
– Population Status: They possess critically low population numbers due to threats like habitat loss, poaching, or climate change.
– Conservation Focus: Conservation efforts aim to prevent their extinction by safeguarding their habitats, implementing breeding programs, and reducing threats.
– Examples: Snow leopard, giant panda, and black rhinoceros are examples of endangered species.

Extinct Species:
– Definition: Extinct species no longer exist, having vanished entirely from the wild or Earth.
– Population Status: The entire population of these species has disappeared due to factors like habitat destruction or overhunting.
– Conservation: Conservation is no longer feasible, and efforts focus on preserving specimens for scientific study and historical significance.
– Examples: The dodo bird, woolly mammoth, and Tasmanian tiger are examples of extinct species.

In essence, endangered species face a high risk of extinction and require immediate conservation, while extinct species have vanished entirely, leading to preservation efforts centered on their historical significance and scientific study.