Wildlife populations plunge almost 60 per cent since 1970 -WWFOLI SCARFF/Getty The silverback gorilla is critically endangered and breeding programs are trying to increase numbers. Worldwide populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles have plunged by almost 60 per cent since 1970 as human activities overwhelm the environment, the WWF conservation group said on Thursday. SHENG LI/REUTERS A Siberian tiger at the Siberian Tiger Forest Park in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, which is a breeding centre for this endangered species. Conservation efforts appear to be having scant impact as the index is showing a steeper plunge in wildlife populations than two years ago, when the WWF estimated a 52 per cent decline by 2010. Last month, the giant panda was taken off an endangered list after a recovery in China.

Source: Stuff October 27, 2016 03:48 UTC