When it comes to protecting the biodiversity of Planet Earth, there is no greater failure than extinction. Thankfully, only a few dozen species have been officially declared extinct by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in the half-century since the passage of the Endangered Species Act.
But, hold on. Aren’t we in the middle of the sixth mass extinction? Shouldn’t the list of extinct species be… way longer? Well, yeah. Maybe.
Producer Taylor Quimby sets out to understand why it’s so difficult to officially declare an animal extinct. Along the way, he compares rare animals to missing socks, finds a way to invoke Lizzo during an investigation of an endangered species of crabgrass, and learns about the disturbing concept of “dark extinctions.”
Editor's Note: This episode was first published in October 2022. Since then, the US Fish and Wildlife Service officially delisted 21 of 23 proposed species due to extinction. The ivory-billed woodpecker was not one of them.
Featuring Sharon Marino, Arne Mooers, Sean O’Brien, Bill Nichols, and Wes Knapp.
Patient Zero: The Laser
Patient Zero: The Vector
Patient Zero: The Triangle
Introducing Patient Zero
Can You Feel the Lies Tonight
Plan B
Swimming Lessons
I'm a Penguin Counter for God's Sake!
Operation Confirmation Bias
Ask Sam: Bidets the Day
Pants on Fire
Must Love Logs
Killing Cats, Saving Numbats
The Family Business
Hunting The Night Parrot
10X10: Under The Ice
Leave No Stone
32 Is the New 40
Falling Doesn't Count
Rake and Ride
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The First 40 Miles: Hiking and Backpacking Podcast
The Dirtbag Diaries
Practical Backpacking™ Podcast
In The Field Camping
Happy Camper Radio