16000 species threatened with global extinction, are humans one of them?

Polar bears, hippos and many freshwater fish are among more than 16,000 species of animal, bird, fish and plants threatened with global extinction, the World Conservation Union said Tuesday.

According to the Swiss-based conservation group, known by its acronym IUCN, the number of species classified as in serious danger of extinction rose from about 15,500 in its previous "Red List" report, published in 2004.

These include one in three amphibians, a quarter of the world's coniferous trees and mammals and one in eight birds, according to a preview of the 2006 Red List. The full report is expected to be published later this week.

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