The United States of Extinction

The Eastern Elk once ranged across the northern and eastern United States. In the 15th Century the Eastern Elk inhabited the Eastern Woodlands region, as far west as the Mississippi River, in huge numbers. Then the Europeans colonized the United States. By the end of the 19th Century, due to over hunting and the destruction of their natural habitat, the Eastern Elk no longer existed.

The Eastern Elk is of course only one of a number of indigenous species which have been driven to extinction in the United States. The United States of Extinction is an interactive map which highlights just one species in each state which no longer exists. Select a state on this map and you can learn more about one indigenous species of plant, fish, animal or bird which is now extinct.

The United States of Extinction map was created by the Center for Biological Diversity, a charity dedicated to saving species on the brink of extinction.

Of course whole species of animals are not only threatened with extinction in the United States. What is Missing? is a global map and timeline of animal species around the world that have either become or are in danger of becoming extinct. What is Missing? includes both a global map and a timeline view of these animal species. In both the map and timeline view you can select any of the individual markers to learn more about the individual endangered or extinct animal species.

What is Missing? includes a number of videos and stories providing information about some of the planet's most endangered species. It also includes information about actions that you can take as an individual to help protect endangered animals, prevent habitat loss and reduce emissions.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources's Red List of Threatened Species is a comprehensive database of animal and plant species which are at risk of extinction around the world. 

The IUCN Red List website allows you to search for specific animals or plants and view an interactive map showing where the species still exists in the wild and any protected areas provided for the species. You can use the IUCN Red List search tool to view interactive maps showing the range of any threatened species. Using this tool you can search for a species using either its common or scientific name.