What is an organism that is near extinction throughout all or most of its range called?

An organism that is near extinction throughout all or most of its range is referred to as an endangered species. This classification indicates a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Endangered species face critical threats from factors such as habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and over-exploitation. The designation aims to bring attention and conservation efforts to preserve these species and ultimately prevent their extinction.

The term “threatened species” typically applies to organisms that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future but are not currently at that critical level. “Vulnerable species” refers to those at a higher risk of future extinction but are less immediate compared to endangered species. While “protected species” indicates that a species receives legal protection, it doesn’t specifically denote the risk of extinction. Thus, “endangered species” is the most accurate term for organisms at significant risk of extinction across their range.