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Christmas Island Shrew Declared Extinct: 39 Mammals Lost

10/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has declared the Christmas Island shrew extinct, marking the loss of 39 Australian mammal species since 1788.
The shrew was once common on Christmas Island but faced threats from invasive species such as black rats and the Asian wolf snake.
No shrews have been found since 1984, underscoring conservation challenges and habitat disruption and a government pledge to prevent further losses.

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Story summary

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has declared the Christmas Island shrew extinct, marking the loss of 39 Australian mammal species since 1788.
The shrew was once common on Christmas Island but faced threats from invasive species such as black rats and the Asian wolf snake.
No shrews have been found since 1984, underscoring conservation challenges and habitat disruption and a government pledge to prevent further losses.