Cook Islands

65 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

65

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

16

Highest risk

Endangered

26

Very high risk

Vulnerable

23

High risk

Declining

66%

43 species

Category Breakdown
CR 16
EN 26
VU 23
CR: 16
EN: 26
VU: 23

Critically Endangered

1625%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

2640%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

2335%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 65 species

Species by Group
🐦

birds

8

8 threatened

🐢

reptiles

2

2 threatened

🐟

fishes

9

9 threatened

🌱

plants

20

20 threatened

Global Share

0.12%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#196

of 277 countries

Endemic Threatened

14

Found only here

Top Threats
1.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources34 species
2.Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases33 species
3.Annual & perennial non-timber crops26 species
4.Habitat shifting & alteration24 species
5.Recreational activities20 species
6.Logging & wood harvesting18 species
7.Problematic native species/diseases18 species
8.Domestic & urban waste water17 species

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Cook Islands: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/CK

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Cook Islands?
Cook Islands has 65 threatened species recorded in the SpeciesRadar database — 16 of those are Critically Endangered (CR), facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
What is the most endangered species in Cook Islands?
Among the 16 Critically Endangered species in Cook Islands, Stiphodon discotorquatus is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of CR species is filterable on the country page.
What protected areas exist in Cook Islands?
Protected area coverage for Cook Islands is summarised on the country dashboard, drawing on the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) and national park designations.