Thousands of animal species face extinction and many more are currently endangered. Scientists warn that if we keep up with this rate of destroying the animals’ natural habitats and if we keep hunting and poaching, then one quarter of the Earth’s mammals will be extinct.

These conclusions were reached after 1,700 scientists from 130 countries filled survey after survey for five years. The amount of information gathered undoubtedly forms the largest data base of its kind and it can be used to predict the future of all existing mammals, but is also useful when evaluating their current condition.

One example of rapidly disappearing species is the Chinese River Dolphin, which has recently gone extinct. If the predictions are correct, it may soon be followed by a variety of poached primates and monkeys, and also a porpoise (called the Vaquita) that drowns in fishing nets. In fact, drowning in different type of fishing gear is one of the extinction causes of marine mammals. Hunters and poachers are encouraged to kill chimps and gorillas because their meat is considered a luxury item on African markets, as opposed to chicken or beef.

The study hasn’t yet fully assessed the damages that will be created because of global warming, especially because the course of the phenomenon is not clearly established and may be subjected to changes. Also, some mammals are briefly assessed, as there is lacking information regarding their whereabouts and numbers.

The Red List of mammals who face extinction this year alone comprises almost 1,150 species. Scientists fear that the economic crisis in the U.S. might overshadow the critical point that nature has reached. Attention must be drawn again towards these issues, before it’s too late. An environmental crisis might end the world, no matter how well the economy was doing.