What is the global conservation status assigned to the zebra shark by the IUCN Red List?
Answer
Vulnerable
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List currently assesses the global status of the zebra shark species as Vulnerable. This classification reflects significant environmental pressures the species faces across its range. Primary threats contributing to this status include being caught as unintended bycatch in various fishing operations and suffering from habitat degradation, particularly the decline of vital coral reef ecosystems that serve as essential feeding and nursery grounds for younger sharks.
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