When do we decide that a species is extinct?

When do we decide that a species is extinct? It is far more difficult to prove an absence than to confirm a presence. Declaring a species extinct is the result of meticulous, long-term observation. But such inventory of living organisms is essential for adopting appropriate conservation measures and saving species before it’s too late. 3 April 2026 Last update:9 April 2026 https://courier.unesco.org/en/articles/when-do-we-decide-species-extinct