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 designation indicates that the species faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild due to factors such as habitat loss, environmental changes, and other human impacts. The classification of endangered species reflects the critical status of an organism's population, motivating conservation efforts to help protect and recover these vulnerable populations.

In contrast, a threatened species is one that may become endangered in the near future but is not currently at such a high risk of extinction as an endangered species. Vulnerable species have populations that are declining but are not yet at the immediate risk level characterized by endangered status, while protected species are those that are legally protected under various conservation laws but do not necessarily indicate a specific risk of extinction. Understanding these classifications helps in the development of strategies for species recovery and conservation management.