Current affairs questions

IUCN Species MCQs | UPSC PSC SSC

by Prince Luthra Sir (UPSC CSE AIR 577) · Published 5 May 2025 · Updated 5 May 2025

1. What is the current IUCN status of the Iberian lynx as of 2024?
a) Endangered
b) Vulnerable
c) Near Threatened
d) Critically Endangered

Answer and Explanation

b) Vulnerable
The IUCN upgraded the status of the Iberian lynx from endangered to vulnerable in 2024 due to successful conservation efforts in Spain and Portugal.

2. Which species was reclassified from extinct to critically endangered in 2024 after successful reintroduction?
a) Partula tohiveana
b) Guam kingfisher
c) Mariana fruit bat
d) Capricorn rabbit rat

Answer and Explanation

a) Partula tohiveana
This Polynesian land snail was reintroduced in the wild, marking a conservation success.

3. What percentage of the world’s tree species are at risk of extinction according to the 2024 IUCN assessment?
a) 25%
b) 38%
c) 42%
d) 50%

Answer and Explanation

b) 38%
The 2024 assessment highlighted that 38% of tree species face extinction due to deforestation and habitat degradation.

4. Which species was declared extinct by the IUCN in September 2024?
a) Partula desolata
b) Capricorn rabbit rat
c) Mariana mallard
d) Guam flycatcher

Answer and Explanation

b) Capricorn rabbit rat
No sightings or genetic records confirmed its existence recently, leading to its extinction status.

5. What is the current IUCN status of the Western European hedgehog as of 2024?
a) Least Concern
b) Near Threatened
c) Vulnerable
d) Endangered

Answer and Explanation

b) Near Threatened
The species is declining due to urbanization and road mortality.

6. Which species is endemic to Sri Lanka and listed as endangered in 2024?
a) Anthoshorea hulanidda
b) Shorea robusta
c) Dipterocarpus zeylanicus
d) Hopea odorata

Answer and Explanation

a) Anthoshorea hulanidda
Endemic to Sri Lanka’s wet zone forests, endangered due to habitat loss.

7. What is the IUCN status of the red-fronted macaw as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Near Threatened

Answer and Explanation

c) Critically Endangered
Found only in a small region of Bolivia with fewer than 200 individuals left.

8. Which species was reintroduced into the wild in French Polynesia in 2024 after being declared extinct?
a) Partula tohiveana
b) Partula desolata
c) Partula langfordi
d) Partula salifana

Answer and Explanation

a) Partula tohiveana
The reintroduction was part of an intensive captive breeding program.

9. What is the primary threat to the survival of the Western European hedgehog?
a) Climate change
b) Habitat loss due to agriculture and urbanization
c) Predation by invasive species
d) Disease

Answer and Explanation

b) Habitat loss due to agriculture and urbanization
Urban expansion has fragmented their habitat and food sources.

10. Which of the following species is considered extinct in the wild as of 2024?
a) Guam kingfisher
b) Mariana fruit bat
c) Little Mariana fruit bat
d) Capricorn rabbit rat

Answer and Explanation

a) Guam kingfisher
Only survives in captivity; habitat on Guam was destroyed by invasive snakes.

11. What is the IUCN status of the Mariana fruit bat as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Extinct

Answer and Explanation

b) Endangered
Threatened by deforestation and hunting in the Northern Mariana Islands.

12. Which species is listed as vulnerable due to threats from habitat loss and invasive species?
a) Micronesia saw-tailed gecko
b) Mariana skink
c) Rota blue damselfly
d) Mariana eight-spot butterfly

Answer and Explanation

a) Micronesia saw-tailed gecko
Its numbers have declined due to forest clearance and introduced predators.

13. What is the IUCN status of the Mariana skink as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Extinct

Answer and Explanation

c) Critically Endangered
Limited to a small geographic range, highly threatened.

14. Which species is listed as data deficient by the IUCN as of 2024?
a) Rota blue damselfly
b) Mariana wandering butterfly
c) Mariana eight-spot butterfly
d) Coconut crab

Answer and Explanation

a) Rota blue damselfly
Insufficient data exist to assess the population trends accurately.

15. What is the IUCN status of the coconut crab as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Near Threatened
d) Least Concern

Answer and Explanation

a) Vulnerable
Due to poaching and habitat loss in island ecosystems.

16. Which species is considered extinct in the wild as of 2024?
a) Guam kingfisher
b) Mariana mallard
c) Guam flycatcher
d) Mariana fruit bat

Answer and Explanation

a) Guam kingfisher
Conservation programs are underway to reintroduce them.

17. What is the IUCN status of the Mariana mallard as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Extinct

Answer and Explanation

d) Extinct
Last sightings were recorded in the 1980s; no recovery in the wild.

18. Which species is critically endangered due to habitat loss and invasive species?
a) Mariana eight-spot butterfly
b) Mariana wandering butterfly
c) Rota blue damselfly
d) Mariana skink

Answer and Explanation

d) Mariana skink
Invasive predators and habitat degradation are key threats.

19. What is the IUCN status of the Mariana wandering butterfly as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Data Deficient

Answer and Explanation

b) Endangered
This butterfly faces threats from climate variability and land-use change.

20. Which species is endangered due to habitat loss and invasive species?
a) Mariana eight-spot butterfly
b) Mariana wandering butterfly
c) Rota blue damselfly
d) Mariana skink

Answer and Explanation

b) Mariana wandering butterfly
Survival is dependent on native flora and controlled human activity.

21. What is the IUCN status of the Rota blue damselfly as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Data Deficient

Answer and Explanation

d) Data Deficient
There is insufficient information on its current population trends and threats.

22. Which species is listed as endangered due to habitat degradation and invasive species?
a) Mariana eight-spot butterfly
b) Mariana wandering butterfly
c) Rota blue damselfly
d) Mariana skink

Answer and Explanation

b) Mariana wandering butterfly
Its numbers are falling due to environmental degradation.

23. What is the IUCN status of the Mariana eight-spot butterfly as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Data Deficient

Answer and Explanation

b) Endangered
It remains under threat from habitat modification and climate extremes.

24. Which species is considered extinct in the wild as of 2024?
a) Guam kingfisher
b) Mariana mallard
c) Guam flycatcher
d) Mariana fruit bat

Answer and Explanation

a) Guam kingfisher
Although extinct in the wild, it survives in captivity.

25. What is the IUCN status of the Guam flycatcher as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Extinct

Answer and Explanation

d) Extinct
This bird was wiped out by invasive brown tree snakes on Guam.

26. Which species is critically endangered due to invasive species?
a) Mariana eight-spot butterfly
b) Mariana wandering butterfly
c) Rota blue damselfly
d) Mariana skink

Answer and Explanation

d) Mariana skink
Predation by invasive species like rats and snakes threatens its survival.

27. What is the IUCN status of the Mariana wandering butterfly as of 2024?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Data Deficient

Answer and Explanation

b) Endangered
Its niche ecosystem is facing rapid changes due to human activity.

28. Which species is endangered due to habitat loss and climate stress?
a) Mariana eight-spot butterfly
b) Mariana wandering butterfly
c) Rota blue damselfly
d) Mariana skink

Answer and Explanation

b) Mariana wandering butterfly
Its breeding habitats are highly sensitive to climate shifts.

29. What is the IUCN status of the Rota blue damselfly?
a) Vulnerable
b) Endangered
c) Critically Endangered
d) Data Deficient

Answer and Explanation

d) Data Deficient
Scientific records are limited to make an accurate assessment.

30. Which of the following is listed as endangered as of 2024?
a) Mariana eight-spot butterfly
b) Mariana wandering butterfly
c) Rota blue damselfly
d) Mariana skink

Answer and Explanation

b) Mariana wandering butterfly
Monitored under conservation watchlists for endangered species.