'Dodo atlas' helps to put extinction of species on map.

AN ATLAS of the world’s extinction hot spots, in which at least one species is in imminent danger of dying out, has been drawn up by scientists to guide global conservation.

The map, prepared by researchers from the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE), pinpoints 595 clearly defined sites that provide either the only or major remaining habitat for an endangered or seriously endangered species. Only a third of the hot spots are currently protected as conservation areas, and most are surrounded by large human populations that are threatening their future.

Urgent action to safeguard these sites is critical if humanity is to prevent a biodiversity crisis in which species are being lost at between 100 and 1,000 times the natural rate, scientists behind the study said.

NORTH AMERICA AND MEXICO

Mexico/Sur del Valle de Mexico: volcano rabbit

US/Huachuca mountains: Ramsey Canyon leopard frog

US/Cache river: ivory-billed woodpecker

SOUTH AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

Colombia/Reserva Natural El Mirador: Fuertes’s parrot

Chile/Robinson Crusoe Island: Juan Fernández firecrown

Jamaica/Hellshire Hills: Jamaican ground iguana

EUROPE, CENTRAL ASIA AND JAPAN

China/Ahnui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve: Chinese alligator

Portugal/Azores, east of São Miguel: Azores bullfinch

Turkey/Silifke: Asia Minor spiny mouse

AFRICA AND MADAGASCAR

Madagascar/Daraina forest: golden-crowned sifaka

Madagascar/Tsimanampetsotsa Strict Nature Reserve: Giant-striped mongoose

Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia/Mont Nimba: Mont Nimba viviparous toad

SOUTH EAST ASIA

Indonesia/Ujung Kulon: Javan rhinoceros

Indonesia/Roti Island: Roti Island snake-necked turtle

AUSTRALASIA AND PACIFIC

Australia/Epping Forest National Park: northern hairy-nosed wombat

New Zealand/Codfish Island: kakapo