When rarity acquires value, prices for scarce species can skyrocket, even though continued exploitation will precipitate extinction. And as long as someone will pay any price for the rarest of the rare, market price will cover (and exceed) the cost of harvesting the last giant parrot, tegu lizard, or lady's slipper orchid on Earth.

Makes sense.

what does? the economics of it?

A human taste for rarity spells disaster for endangered species

That our need for the difference and hard-to-come by is having this effect.

Indeed and I agree, however from the standpoint of human consciousness......

Reminds me of the Dinosaurs episode (15 yrs ago?!) about the extremely endangered Grapdelites that were in great demand because of their rarity. Guess what happens to the last two remaining Grapdelites?

Human behavior can be so maddening that it is difficult not to embrace misanthropy much of the time.