The Earth is embarking on its sixth mass extinction with animals disappearing about 100 times faster than they used to, scientists warned on Friday, and humans could be among the first victims. Since the age of the dinosaurs ended 66 million years ago vertebrates have been disappearing at a rate 114 times higher than would normally be expected without the destructive influence of humans, according to the scientists, who insist their analysis is “extremely conservative”.The study "shows without any significant doubt that we are now entering the sixth great mass extinction event," said co-author Paul Ehrlich, a Stanford University professor of biology. The researchers have also said once the damage is done, it could take millions of years for nature to recover.
