Every Animal That Was Declared Extinct In 2018 (And Those Likely To Go In 2019)

Had this article been written a couple of weeks ago, the Hawaiian Tree Snail would have been listed as likely to go extinct in 2019. Sadly, that distinction changed in early January when the last surviving member of Achatinella apexfulva, otherwise known as George, passed away at the age of 14.

The species of snail lived only in the forested areas of the island of Oahu, Hawaii and was functionally extinct back in 2011 when the last reported individual (George) was taken into captivity.

Sadly, the Hawaiian tree snail succumbed to an invasive snail called the Rosy Wolfsnail, normally native to Central America, which was introduced in Hawaii back in the '50s. Those snails bred to the point of becoming an agricultural threat and led to the extinction of eight other snail species in the islands of Hawaii.

There were attempts to breed George with another member of its species, but none were ever found. As a result, the species was functionally extinct for at least seven years before George finally passed away. While the Hawaiian Tree Snail didn't technically go extinct in 2018, it was the first species listed as extinct in 2019, which isn't the best accolade to kick off a new year.