One in Four Migratory Species Now Facing Extinction

Protection of key habitats and dedicated efforts to tackle poaching in a coordinated way have allowed the sea turtle to bounce back.

Global wildlife is facing a deepening crisis, as the latest United Nations assessment warns that nearly half of the world’s migratory species are in decline due to human activity, habitat destruction and climate change.

The warning comes in the newly released State of the World’s Migratory Species: Interim Report 2026, which presents updated findings on population trends, conservation status and emerging threats affecting animals that travel vast distances across continents and oceans.

Prepared by the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre for the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the report provides a comprehensive overview of how species that rely on migration for survival are facing growing pressure across ecosystems.

According to the report, “the extinction risk of CMS-listed species is rising”, as migratory animals face a combination of threats along their routes, including habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution and climate change.

The assessment shows that nearly one in four migratory species listed under the Convention on Migratory Species is now globally threatened. Updated evaluations by the International Union for Conservation of Nature reveal that 24 percent of these species fall into threatened categories such as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered.

One of the lead authors of the report, Kelly Malsch, Head of Conservation at UNEP-WCMC, said the first global assessment published in 2024 identified overexploitation and habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation caused by human activity as the two greatest threats to migratory species.

She noted that these drivers remain largely unchanged.

“Since then, we have found that 49 percent of migratory species populations protected by the global UN treaty are declining, an increase from 44 percent in 2024,” Malsch said. “Meanwhile, 24 percent of species now face extinction, up from 22 percent two years earlier.”

She added that while the exact pace of these changes is difficult to measure, the available data show that migratory animal populations are declining at an alarming rate.

The report also notes that 34 species have shifted to a different extinction-risk category since the previous assessment. Of these, 26 species moved into more threatened categories, while only seven improved in status.

Many of the species facing greater risk are migratory shorebirds, with 18 species reclassified into higher threat levels due to habitat degradation, climate change and other human pressures.

Scientists warn that migratory species are particularly vulnerable because they depend on multiple habitats located across different countries. Any disruption along these migratory routes can threaten their survival.

Rising population declines

The report highlights worrying trends in global population declines. Nearly half of all migratory species assessed now show decreasing population trends.

According to the report, 49 percent of CMS-listed species now show declining populations, compared with 44 percent in earlier assessments.

Recent studies cited in the report confirm declining populations among migratory shorebirds, birds of prey across the African–Eurasian flyway, freshwater fish, sharks and rays.

One striking example is the Slender-billed Curlew, which has now been declared globally extinct after no confirmed sightings since 1995.

“Migratory species can be found around the world on land, in rivers, wetlands, at sea and in our skies,” Malsch said. “The declines we are seeing highlight the urgent need for stronger action to improve the health of biodiversity globally.”

Disease outbreaks and infrastructure threats

The report also warns that emerging threats such as disease outbreaks are increasingly affecting migratory wildlife.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has recently caused mass mortality events among migratory birds and marine mammals, affecting species ranging from African Penguin to pelicans, cranes and sea lions.

Infrastructure development is another major challenge. Expanding roads, fences, pipelines and railways are fragmenting migratory routes used by terrestrial mammals such as gazelles and Wildebeest.

Such barriers restrict seasonal movements needed to reach breeding areas and food sources, in some cases triggering sharp population declines.

Malsch stressed that protecting migratory pathways requires international cooperation, particularly for species that cross national borders.

Severe decline in migratory fish

Migratory fish are among the most threatened groups globally.

According to the Living Planet Index, freshwater fish populations have declined by 81 percent since 1970.

Habitat fragmentation caused by dams and river regulation is one of the primary causes. Major river systems such as the Amazon River, Mekong River, Congo River and Niger River are facing increasing pressure from hydropower projects.

Sharks and rays are also experiencing severe declines, with populations falling by around 50 percent since 1970, largely due to overfishing and bycatch.

Signs of conservation success

Despite the alarming trends, the report also highlights examples of successful conservation efforts.

The Saiga Antelope, once devastated by poaching and disease, has recovered significantly in parts of Central Asia and has improved from Endangered to Near Threatened.

Another success story is the Scimitar-horned Oryx, which has been successfully reintroduced into the wild in Chad after once being declared extinct in the wild.

Marine turtle populations have also shown encouraging signs of recovery due to stronger conservation measures, including protected nesting beaches and reduced hunting.

Critical habitats still underprotected

Scientists have identified thousands of crucial biodiversity sites worldwide.

Of the 16,589 Key Biodiversity Areas globally, more than 9,300 are important for migratory species, yet many remain insufficiently protected.

On average, only 52.6 percent of these critical habitats are currently covered by protected or conserved areas.

Experts warn that better mapping of migratory routes and stronger international cooperation are essential to safeguard wildlife that crosses multiple national borders.

The report calls for intensified global action to protect migratory species and their habitats by 2032 under the Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species.