On 17 November 2004, at the opening of the third IUCN World Conservation Congress, the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species was launched alongside the Global Species Assessment: a detailed analysis of the Red List data and the first major assessment of the status of global biodiversity. The 2004 Red List is now available on the Red List website, < http://www.iucnredlist.org>, as well as on the mirror sites < http://www.redlist.org> and < http://www.redlist.net>.

This year's version includes a new search feature. It is now possible to search for species by their most recent assessment date. If you are looking for a complete list of assessments on the Red List (including a complete list within a particular country or region), you should select “All” from the “Red List Assessment Years” list box on the search page. If you are looking for a list of species reassessed or added to the list in a particular year, you should select that year from the list box (e.g., for a list of species reassessed or added to the list this year, select “2004” from the list box).

We have also added an Acknowledgements page this year to recognize and thank all the contributors to the list. Without the enthusiasm, generosity, patience, and hard work of all of our volunteer contributors, the production of the Red List would not be possible.