Extinction: Not the End of the World

The extinction of an animal species always brings finality, but in the wake of the demise of species other creatures can prosper. More than 99% of the species which once roamed our planet no longer exist, yet a rich range of plants and animals survived.

In a new exhibition - Extinction: Not the end of the world? - the Natural History Museum in London explores how extinction can have a long-lasting effect on other creatures, and looks at those animals facing an uncertain future in the 21st Century. Take a look with exhibition developer Alex Fairhead.

This highly topical exhibition takes us beyond dodos and dinosaurs to explore the crucial role extinction can play in the evolution of life.

In this exhibition, astonishing images, real specimens and interactive installations will bring to life some of the amazing lost species. It will highlight those endangered today, as well as the remarkable stories of survivors of mass extinctions.

At the entrance to the exhibition, you'll be greeted by the enormous skull ofChasmosaurus belli, measuring about 2m tall. This dinosaur lived just before land-dwelling dinosaurs became extinct. Its name means 'opening lizard', in reference to the large holes in its frill. It was a herbivore and grew up to 6m long. The extinction of most of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago paved the way for the diversity of life today.

From BBC News