An endangered species is a species of organisms that will likely become extinct. The phrase 'endangered species' colloquially refers to any species that fits this description whereas conservation biologists typically with it refer to species that are designated Endangered in the IUCN Red List, wherein "endangered" is the second most severe conservation status for wild populations, following Critically Endangered. 3079 animals and 2655 plants are Endangered worldwide, compared with 1998 levels of 1102 and 1197, respectively.[1] The amount, population trend, and conservation status of each species can be found in the Lists of organisms by population.
Many nations have laws that protect conservation reliant species: for example, forbidding hunting, restricting land development, or creating preserves.