14 DAY TRIAL // Only yesterday, Japan's Environment Ministry released its latest “Red List,” which basically indicates what animals are threatened, which are endangered and which have already become extinct.
Unfortunately, as sources report, the Japanese otter is now listed as being an extinct species, meaning that it is believed that no such animals still live in the wild.
The people who made said list explain how their decision to declare the Japanese otter officially extinct stems from the fact that for more than 30 years nobody has ever come across one such mammal in the wilderness.
“We take it very seriously that the species has become extinct. As the environment ministry, there is a need to work hard to improve the protection of wild animals,” commented Environment Minister Goshi Hosono on this news.
Just for the record, this type of otter was considered to be one of Japan's natural treasures. Still, it seems that hunting activities are to be held responsible for its becoming extinct.