Some creatures great and small -- and disappearing (CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Paul Sussman
Special to CNN

(CNN) -- Ever caught a glimpse of the secretive Iberian lynx? Or heard the croaking bark of a Mediterranean monk seal?

If not, and you want to do so, you had better hurry because pollution and habitat degradation have pushed both species to the brink of extinction.

According to a recent study by the Switzerland-based World Conservation Union (IUCN) human activity is threatening almost one-sixth of Europe's total land mammal population.

Among marine mammals the situation is even more grave, with some 22 percent of total numbers being pushed towards annihilation.

The IUCN's recently published European Mammal Assessment identified 17 European mammal species that are "vulnerable," seven that are "endangered," and six that are "critically endangered."
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more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/07/11/speciesloss/index.html