North Korea Extinct and Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for NORTH KOREA in East Asia lists 1 extinct species (and other possible extinct species) since the beginning of IUCN recordkeeping, 5 critically endangered species, and 17 endangered species. The Japanese Sea Lion is North Korea's sole extinct species, estimated to have been globally extinct starting in the 1950s. In 1951, there were about 50 to 60 seals spotted near the Sea of Japan islets of Dokdo-ri (named Takeshima in Japanese; also named Liancourt Rocks), which belong to South Korea but are claimed by Japan. Who knows, there could be some still lurking around secretly! Species including the Asian Crested Ibis, Chinese Sturgeon, and Tiger are either possibly extinct or are regionally extinct.

North Korea's critically endangered species are the Baer's Pochard duck, Bekko Tombo (Libellula angelina) dragonfly, Chinese Pufferfish (check out this interesting pufferfish observation tower in China), Chinese Sturgeon (could be extinct), and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Endangered species include Asian Surf Grass, the Far Eastern Curlew bird, Japanese Spiky Sea Cucumber, Red-crowned Crane, Reeves' Turtle (Japanese Coin Turtle), and Sei Whale.