An update on some of the species mentioned in the book:
-Komodo Dragon - Global Conservation says fewer than 3,500 remain and they are still classified as endangered. There are less than there were during the book's publication, but the population has seen a recent rise.
-Silverback Gorilla - Classified as endangered, where as they were previously classified as critically endangered. There are fewer than 1,000 total.
-Baiji River Dolphin - In 2006 the dolphin was declared functionally extinct. There have been no definitive sightings in 20 years.
-Kakapo - There are about 236 kakapo alive today and you can no longer visit them in person in the wild as they do in the book. The species is listed as threatened.
-White Rhino - No longer listed as endangered and classified as near threatened. There were an estimated over 17,000 in the wild in 2023.
-Yellow-Eyed Penguin - They are still classified as endangered and their population has declined over the last 20 years.
-Echo Parakeet - There are over 750 individuals and the population is increasing, with around 450 on the island of Mauritius. They are now classified as vulnerable.
-Rodrigues Fruit Bat - Endangered, though there have been longstanding conservation efforts made in their favor.
-Mauritius Kestrel - There are promising steps being made in raising the population, there are currently 300-400 kestrels.
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