Nature is in "free fall" as a result of human activity, with global wildlife populations falling by nearly three quarters in 50 years, conservationists warn. The latest edition of the Living Planet Index compiled by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) warns monitored global populations of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles have seen an average decline of 73% in 50 years. The declines have been driven by human activities such as habitat destruction for food production, and are now being compounded by climate change. The Living Planet Index, which draws on data from 35,000 population trends and 5,495 species shows Latin America and the Caribbean have seen the fastest declines in wildlife, with average wildlife populations drop 95% in 50 years. The report highlights tumbling populations for creatures from nesting female hawksbill turtles in the Great Barrier Reef to Amazon pink river dolphins in Brazil.

Source: Irish Examiner October 10, 2024 20:27 UTC