The World Wildlife Fund has reported that wildlife populations have declined by over 70 percent in the last 50 years. The Living Planet Report by the WWF assessed more than 5,000 species and found that habitats like the Amazon rainforest are reaching tipping points, with potentially catastrophic consequences for most species. The report highlighted that the biggest decline in populations was seen in freshwater species, followed by terrestrial and marine vertebrates. The decline in species populations was largely attributed to human pressures such as habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, and diseases.
The report provided snapshots of specific species that are facing sharp declines. For example, the pink river dolphins and tucuxi dolphins in the Amazon have seen their populations decrease by 65 percent and 57 percent respectively due to hunting and climate change. In Gabon, the number of forest elephants has declined by 78 to 81 percent, with poaching for the ivory trade being a major factor contributing to their decline. With almost half of Africa’s forest elephants residing in Gabon, this decline is considered a significant setback for the species’ future.
Habitat loss and degradation, primarily driven by food systems, were identified as the biggest threat to wildlife populations globally. Overexploitation, invasive species, and diseases were also highlighted as significant threats. Climate change, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as pollution in regions like North America, Asia, and the Pacific, were identified as additional threats to wildlife populations. These threats not only affect wildlife but also have implications for the essential ecosystems that sustain human life.
Despite the alarming decline in wildlife populations, there is still hope for conservation efforts to make a positive impact. Some populations have stabilised or even expanded thanks to conservation efforts and reintroduction programs. For example, the European bison, which disappeared in the wild in 1927, now numbers 6,800 in 2020 due to large-scale breeding and successful reintroduction efforts in protected areas. The WWF emphasised the importance of global efforts, such as the pact adopted at the last United Nations meeting on biodiversity in 2022, to protect 30 percent of the planet by 2030 from pollution, degradation, and climate change.
Despite the potential for positive change, there are concerns that agreements and goals set for 2030 may be at risk of being missed. The WWF has warned that the changes in wildlife populations and ecosystems could be irreversible, with devastating consequences for humanity if action is not taken. Director-General of WWF International, Kirsten Schuijt, emphasised the urgent need for conservation efforts to prevent further declines in wildlife populations and protect essential ecosystems. The report serves as a call to action for global cooperation and immediate measures to address the threats facing wildlife and their habitats before it is too late.
