The status of the world’s seabirds has deteriorated rapidly over recent decades and several species and many populations are now perilously close to extinction, according to a major review of research published recently in the journal Bird Conservation International. the report indicates that of the 346 seabird species, 97 (28%) are globally threatened and a further 10% are close to being so. Nearly half of all seabird species are known or suspected to be experiencing population declines. The albatross family is especially imperiled with 17 of the 22 species currently threatened with extinction. (photo of Laysan Albatross by Glen Tepke)