Here's why:
* Wild populations are critically endangered: The short-tailed chinchilla is considered critically endangered by the IUCN Red List. Their wild population is extremely small and fragmented due to habitat loss, hunting, and other threats. It's hard to accurately count wild animals, especially in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
* Domesticated populations are numerous but not tracked: Chinchillas are popular pets, so there are many domesticated animals. However, there's no official census or tracking system for pet chinchillas.
Instead of a specific number, here's what we know:
* Wild population is estimated to be in the hundreds: Conservation efforts are underway to protect remaining wild populations, but their numbers are likely extremely low.
* Domesticated populations are significantly larger: Thousands of chinchillas are kept as pets worldwide, but their exact numbers are unknown.
It's important to emphasize that both wild and domesticated populations are facing challenges. Protecting wild chinchillas is crucial, and responsible pet ownership is important for ensuring the welfare of domesticated chinchillas.