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Some large whale species, including the humpback, are now less threatened with extinction, according to the cetacean update for the 2008 IUCN Red List. Most small coastal and freshwater cetaceans, however, are moving closer to extinction.

The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) has moved from Vulnerable to Least Concern, meaning it is at low risk of extinction, although two subpopulations are Endangered. The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) has also moved to Least Concern.

Despite the improvement in status of these two species, the assessment revealed deterioration in the status of others. Overall, nearly a quarter of cetacean species are considered threatened, and of those, more than 10% (nine species) are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered, the highest categories of threat. In addition, two subspecies and 12 subpopulations are listed as Critically Endangered.

Note: the new cetacean assessments will appear on the IUCN Red List when it is updated in October 2008.

Mankind's closest relatives – the world's monkeys, apes and other primates – are disappearing from the face of the Earth, with some being literally eaten to extinction.

The first comprehensive review in five years of the world's 634 kinds of primates found that almost 50 per cent are in danger of going extinct, according to the criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™.

Note, the new primate assessments will appear on the IUCN Red List when it is updated in October 2008.