Wildlife population declined by 73% in 50 years: WWF report

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Last Updated11/10/2024

In India, the decline of three vulture species – white-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, and slender-billed vulture, has been alarming, WWF said.

The World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) 2024 Living Planet Report has revealed a stark reality: global wildlife populations have declined by 73% over the last 50 years.
The decline is driven by habitat loss, degradation, climate change, and the impact of invasive species. This drastic reduction in animal populations signals a deeper ecological crisis with serious implications for global biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

The report, based on tracking trends of 35,000 populations across 5,495 species of amphibians, mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles, underscores the growing vulnerability of wildlife globally. This decline is not solely in the number of species but represents a sharp drop in average population sizes of monitored species.

Freshwater populations experienced the most severe decline, with an 85% drop in their populations.
Terrestrial wildlife populations saw a 69% reduction, largely due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and human encroachment.
Marine populations decreased by 56%, affected by overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

In India, the WWF report highlighted the alarming decline of three vulture species:
- White-rumped vulture
- Indian vulture
- Slender-billed vulture
These species have been hit hard by habitat loss, poisoning from veterinary drugs like Diclofenac, and declining food sources, leading to their endangered status. Vultures play a critical role in the ecosystem by disposing of animal carcasses, and their decline has broader environmental and health implications.

The WWF report identified several major drivers behind the steep decline in wildlife populations:
Habitat Loss: Driven by unsustainable agriculture, logging, mining, and urbanization, habitat destruction has been the primary cause of wildlife decline.
Overexploitation: Hunting, overfishing, and the illegal wildlife trade have drastically reduced populations of key species.
Climate Change: Rising temperatures, altered weather patterns, and shifting ecosystems are affecting species' survival and reproductive patterns.
Pollution: Contamination of air, water, and soil with toxins, plastics, and industrial waste has further endangered wildlife.
Invasive Species: The introduction of non-native species has disrupted ecosystems, often outcompeting or preying on local wildlife.
Disease: Wildlife diseases, sometimes exacerbated by climate change and human activities, have led to sharp population declines in many regions.

The WWF report highlights how the decline in wildlife populations threatens the very functioning of ecosystems. When species’ populations fall below a certain threshold, their ability to perform vital roles such as pollination, seed dispersal, grazing, and nutrient cycling is compromised.
This can disrupt the delicate balance within ecosystems, leading to cascading impacts and potentially tipping ecosystems into irreversible states of degradation.