Extinct in the Wild (EW)

Definition

A taxon known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or populations) well outside the past range. A taxon is presumed Extinct in the Wild when exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual), throughout its historic range have failed to record an individual. Surveys should be over a time frame appropriate to the taxon’s life cycle and life form.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2012 1

Note: See reference for assessment criteria.