U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of the Secretary

Stephanie Hanna (202)208-6416 Pat Fisher (202)208-5634


For Release: October 3, 1996

"I believe that all of us should be concerned by the news that fully a quarter of all the world's wild mammals are now considered threatened with extinction. This report, from the Species Survival Commission of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and jointly published with Conservation International, is probably the most thorough scientific assessment of the state of the world's wildlife ever undertaken. It clearly indicates that, unless people of all nations make extraordinary efforts, we face a looming natural catastrophe of almost biblical proportions.

"The report's conclusion that habitat loss and degradation are primarily responsible for this threat is both disturbing and a reason for hope. The damage done by human activities can perhaps be set right by the ingenuity of people working together. That is why the Clinton Administration will continue to work through partnerships under the Endangered Species Act to conserve, protect and restore wildlife habitat. Through this Administration's efforts and the work of dedicated local people, we have shown that economies can thrive while protecting irreplaceable wildlife resources and conserving the land and water habitat so important to wildlife and to our own quality of life.

"The IUCN's report shows that we must not only continue and accelerate these efforts here at home, but that we must extend them world-wide by offering our expertise and support in conservation activities. Our children and grandchildren should not be deprived of a world where these magnificent and diverse wild animals can still find places to exist and raise their young. Today's report is a clarion call to take action while we still can."

-DOI-