A recovering species is a species that was vulnerable to extinction, but has recovered to some extent. Recovery may be measured in a variety of ways; however, counting the population or measuring the extent of the species' range are common techniques. One technique for assessing recovery utilizes four metrics: Conservation legacy: Measures the success of conservation steps taken in the past Conservation dependence: Measures how self-sustaining the species is, and how reliant it is on human intervention Conservation gain: Measures the likely improvement to the species' population and habitat in the future Recovery potential: Measures the plausible improvement assuming sustained conservation efforts over a long period of time

A species may be deemed to be fully recovered when three goals are met: Viable: The population is healthy and has a minimal risk of extinction over the long term Ecologically Functional: The species is fulfilling its natural role within the ecosystem Range: The species is represented across its historical range

Historically, conservation efforts focused on preventing extinction rather than promoting recovery. Since 1964, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has maintained a Red List of species that are in danger of extinction. The metrics used in the Red List assessments typically did not incorporate prospects of recovery. In 2018, a team of scientists proposed extending the IUCN assessments with a "green list" (later changed to "green status") assessment that encompassed the likelihood of recovery. The proposal to establish the green list assessment explained one of its major purposes:

After 2018, the IUCN began extending the Red List assessments to include recovery data, officially called the IUCN Green Status of Species. The first batch of species with Green Status assessments were published in 2021 with the declaration that the Green Status "introduces a new way of thinking about conservation impact by defining conservation status in terms of progress toward species recovery".

Species listed in this article include those that were categorized by IUCN as Vulnerable (or worse) and have since recovered to some extent. Recoveries may be included in this list if a scientific source asserts that there has been some degree of recovery, supported with a change in conservation status or with a significant increase in population. The recovery does not need to be documented by an IUCN Green Status assessment, nor must the recovery result in a change to the conservation status.

Recovering species

Birds

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)The population declined severely in the early 1900s, leading the US to list it as Endangered in 1978. By 2020, the population had recovered to over 200,000 individuals. Threatened in five states; endangered in 43 states. Assessment authority: BirdLife International.

Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)The number of inidviduals in the US, particularly in Southern California and along the Gulf Coast, dropped severely in the early 1900s. It recovered dramatically after DDT was banned in the US. Assessment authority: BirdLife International. See also this USFWS web page.

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus)Only 22 individuals were alive in 1982. Captive breeding increased the population to over 500 in 2024, including 93 mature individuals in the wild. Assessment authority: BirdLife International. Includes Green Status data: Hermes, C.; et al. (2024) e.T22697636A2269763620261.

Chatham Island black robin (Petroica traversi)This species recovered from a low of five birds in 1980, including only one breeding female, to about 300 in 2021. Assessment authority: BirdLife International.

Echo parakeet (Alexandrinus eques) (formerly Psittacula eques) Assessed by IUCN in 1994 as Critically Endangered, the status improved to Vulnerable in 2019. The population increased from fewer than 20 individuals in 1992 to 750 in 2017. Assessment authority: BirdLife International. Includes Green Status data: Tatayah, V.; et al. (2025) e.T22685448A2268544820261.

Greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) Originally widespread through the Great Plains of North America, this species was no longer found in many parts of the original range as of 2020. Conservation status was assessed as Vulnerable in 2007, but improved to Near Threatened in 2020. Population increased by about 7% per year from 2007 to 2017, resulting in an estimated 360,000 mature individuals in 2017. Assessment authority: BirdLife International. Includes Green status data: Berger, D. J. (2021) e.T22679514A2267951420261.

Kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus) Indigenous to New Zealand, the population declined to 49 birds in 2000. Intensive management increased the population to 116 in 2018. Assessment authority: BirdLife International. Low population value 49 in 2000 Red List assessment.

Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus)Only four known individuals remained in 1974. Intensive management increased the population to about 800 in 2006, but it subsequently declined to around 140 in 2021. Population 800 in 2006; Assessment authority: BirdLife International. Includes Green Status data: Tatayah, V. (2022) e.T22696373A2269637320261.

Nene (Branta sandvicensis)The population of this species, also known as the Hawaiian goose, benefited from a 1958 law that created a protection program. The program caused the numbers to increase from fewer than 50 individuals to over 1,700 in 2021. Assessment authority:BirdLife International.

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)This species approached local extinction in some regions of North America in the early 20th century (partially because of DDT). This species was categorized as Endangered by the US government in 1970. It largely recovered after pesticide bans and reintroductions, and was removed from the Endangered list in 1999. In 2021, it was categorized as Least Concern globally. Assessment authority: BirdLife International.

Ridgway's hawk (Buteo ridgwayi)The population of this species, endemic to the island of Hispaniola, reached a low of about 208 mature individuals in 2000, but efforts from The Peregrine Fund caused numbers to increase to about 322 in 2024. In spite of the increase, the IUCN conservation status remained at Critically Endangered in 2024the same level it had been since 2000because the species was subjected to a variety of pressures that threatened its recovery. Assessment authority: BirdLife International. Includes Green status data: Johnson, J.A.; et al. (2025) e.T22695886A2269588620261.

White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)This bird species was almost locally extinct in western Europe around 1900. Reintroduction and other conservation measures in Norway, the British Isles, and elsewhere led to a partial recovery in those regions. The global population was over 20,000 in 2021. Also online here Assessment authority: BirdLife International.

Whooping crane (Grus americana)The number of individuals fell to under 100 in the mid-20th century. The number of mature individuals in 2020 was estimated to be between 50 and 249, increasing to over 500 in 2025. Assessment authority: BirdLife International.

Mammals

American bison (Bison bison)This species decreased from tens of millions to only a few hundred in the late 1800s. Conservation increased the total population to over 500,000 in 2008, although most lived in herds managed for slaughter or hunting rather than for conservation. The number in free-ranging or semi-free-ranging herds was over 11,000 in 2016.

Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)Extinct in the wild by 1972, this species was reintroduced in the 1980s. By 2011, over 800 individuals lived in managed wild populations, although poaching remained a severe problem. The population was declining in 2017. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group.

Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)This species was thought extinct until a population of 18 was found in 1981. Breeding and reintroduction in the US during the period from 1991 to 2009 established multiple wild populations. Population declined from 2008 to 2015, with about 295 mature individuals in 2015. The species remains locally extinct in Canada and Mexico. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Small Carnivore Specialist Group.

Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)Hunting and poaching reduced the numbers of this species to about 100,000 in 1960, and then to 2,354 in the mid-1990s. IUCN set the conservation status to Endangered in 1986 and further degraded it to Critically Endangered in 1996. Subsequent conservation efforts increased the number of mature individuals in the wild to an estimated 3,142 in 2024. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC African Rhino Specialist Group. Includes Green Status data: Ferreira, S.M.; et al. (2024) e.T6557A655720261.

Channel Island fox (Urocyon littoralis)Some island populations fell below 20 individuals in the 1990s before recovering rapidly through conservation, reaching over 4,000 individuals in 2011. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group (foxes, jackals and wild dogs).

European beaver (Castor fiber)This species was nearly exterminated across Europe around 1900, when the population reached a low of 1,200. Reintroduction to many river systems produced a rebound to 639,000 in 2006. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group. Includes Green Status data: Snyderman, L.S.; et al. (2025) e.T4003A400320261. States 1,200 population circa 1900. Assessment under the authority of IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group. The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) was introduced into Finland and northwest Russia in the 1930s to replace the locally extinct European beaver and has established a stable population there. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group. Includes Green status data: Snyderman, L.S.; et al. (2025) e.T4003A400320261.

European bison (Bison bonasus)Extinct in the wild after World War I, this species was later reintroduced from captive animals. Several thousand individuals lived in Europe in 2020. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Bison Specialist Group.

Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)Listed as Endangered by IUCN in 1990, the status of this species improved to Vulnerable in 2016 after decades of habitat conservation. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group.

Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)Fewer than 200 individuals of this tamarin remained in the wild in the 1970s. The population recovered to over 3,000 in 2018 due to captive breeding and habitat restoration, but was declining in 2019. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group.

Grey wolf (Canis lupus)The conservation status of this species was assessed as Vulnerable in 1982, as it had been locally extinct in much of North America and Western Europe by the mid-20th century. The status improved to Least Concern in 2004 after conservation efforts led to partial recovery in some of those regions. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group (foxes, jackals and wild dogs).

Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)This species recovered from the brink of extinction in 2000, reaching an estimated 1,668 individuals in 2022. Brink of extinction in 2000. 1,668 individuals in 2022. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group (wild cats). Includes Green Status data: Salcedo, J.; et al. (2024) e.T12520A1252020261.

Eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei)The conservation status of the Mountain gorilla subspecies (Gorilla beringei beringei) was Critically Endangered in 1996, but the population increased to over 1,000 in 2018 due to anti-poaching efforts and habitat conservation. Assessment authority: IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group. Includes Green Status data: Junker, J.; et al. (2026) e.T39999A3999920261.