Dire wolves and extinct curlews: are we failing at saving and communicating real biodiversity?

Abstract

In an era of mass extinction, conservation requires an urgent triage - prioritizing species most at risk while redirecting resources from charismatic megafauna to overlooked taxa. Natural history museums are ideal places where this task could be explained to the general public and pursued. As a solution, they might adopt an “emergency room” approach, classifying species by threat level (e.g., “red code” for highly threatened taxa) to guide ethical conservation decisions. As taxonomists disappear and collections languish, this scientific triage becomes impossible without revitalized museum roles in research, education, and advocacy. The future of biodiversity hinges on recognizing that not all species can be saved, but strategic choices can prevent irreversible losses.

Keywords

• Conservation
• triage
• extinction crisis
• natural history museums
• threat assessment
• biodiversity prioritization
• conservation ethic

Supporting Agencies

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Data Availability Statement

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