Wildlife numbers plunge by 50% since 1970 – in pictures

Habitat destruction and hunting causing huge decline in wildlife population on land, in rivers and in the oceans, a new ‘Living Planet’ analysis from WWF and the Zoological Society of London reveals

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  • US populations of Hellbender salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) dropped by about 77% in Missouri over 20 years, but declines have been observed across its range, likely driven by degradation of the habitat by agriculture and the recreational use of rivers.
    Hellbender salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) USA Populations of hellbender salamanders declined by about 77% in Missouri over 20 years, but declines have been observed across its range. Degradation of the habitat by agriculture and the recreational use of rivers are likely to be the main drivers.

  • The endangered Hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) population in Bangladesh fell by more than 50% from 1986-2006, as their forest habitat was felled.
    Hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) Bangladesh Populations of the endangered Hoolock gibbon in Bangladesh fell by more than 50% from 1986-2006, as their forest habitat was felled.

  • In Ghana’s Mole national park, the African lion (Panthera leo) population has declined by over 90% over 40 years. This is thought to be due to the killing of lions seen as a threat by local people.
    African lion (Panthera leo) Ghana In Ghana’s Mole National Park, the lion population has declined by over 90% over 40 years. This is thought to be due to the killing of lions seen as a threat by local people.

  • Eight populations of snake – including meadow viper, asp viper and western whipsnake – across the UK, France and Italy have declined by over 50% from 1990-2009. The exact cause is unknown but it is likely to be a combination of factors including habitat degradation and loss of prey species
    Snakes - e.g. Meadow viper, Asp viper, Western whipsnake (depends which one WWF provide) Eight populations of snake across the UK, France and Italy have declined by over 50% from 1990-2009. The exact cause is unknown but it is likely to be a combination of factors including habitat degradation and loss of prey species

  • The curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) numbers haven fallen from 37,500 individuals in 1982 to 7,500 in 2005 at seven monitored sites in Australia. Many migratory shorebird species are in decline and one site in southern Australia saw a 23% decline across all species from 1982 to 2011.
    Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) Australia Population sizes of many migratory shorebird species are in decline in Australia. One site in Southern Australia saw a 23% decline across all species from 1982 to 2011. The birds are long-distance migrants and degradation of their habitat at stop-over sites may be causing their decline. The Curlew Sandpiper has seen a particularly large decline, falling from 37,500 individuals in 1982 to 7,500 in 2005 at seven monitored sites in Australia.

  • The short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in Ionian Sea, Greece. This dolphin has been in decline in the Mediterranean Sea since the 1960s. Between 1996 and 2007 numbers declined in the Ionian sea from 150 to 15 individuals. Overfishing in the area is thought to have reduced the amount of available prey.
    Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) Ionian sea, Greece This dolphin has been in decline in the Mediterranean sea since the 1960s. Between 1996 and 2007 numbers declined in the Ionian sea from 150 to 15 individuals. Overfishing in the area is thought to have reduced the amount of available prey

  • Widespread declines have been found in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and the species is now critically endangered. Development of rivers have blocked migration routes and overfishing and disease have also hit numbers.
    European eel (Anguilla Anguilla) Widespread declines have been found and the species is now critically endangered. Development of rivers have blocked migration routes and overfishing and disease have also hit numbers.

  • Rapid deforestation in west and central Africa by loggers has left forest elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) with just 6% of their historic range, with 60% population decline from 2002-11, primarily due to rampant poaching for ivory.
    Forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) West and Central Africa Rapid deforestation by loggers has left forest elephants with just 6% of their historic range. The population size declined by more than 60% from 2002-11, primarily due to rampant poaching for ivory.

  • The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) has declined in both the tropical Atlantic and Pacific. Their numbers declined by 95% between 1989 and 2002 in Las Baulas national park in Costa Rica. This was principally due to turtles being drowned in fishing nets, but property development around the nesting beaches added to pressure.
    Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Costa Rica The Leatherback turtle has declined in both the tropical Atlantic and Pacific. For example, it declined by 95% between 1989 and 2002 in Las Baulas National Park in Costa Rica. This was principally due to turtles being drowned in fishing nest, but property development around the nesting beaches added to pressure.

  • The wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) populations have dropped rapidly in the South Atlantic Oceans, due to birds getting snared by long line fisheries. One population, from Bird Island, South Georgia, declined by 50% between 1972-2010.
    Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) South Atlantic Ocean Wandering albatross populations have dropped rapidly, due to being birds getting snared by long line fisheries. One population, from Bird Island, South Georgia, declined by 50% between 1972-2010.

  • Farmland birds in the UK, such as grey partridge (Perdix perdix), have declined by 50% between 1970 and 2012, mainly due to changes to intensification of farming.
    Grey partridge (Perdix perdix) UK Farmland birds in the UK, such as Grey partridge, have declined by 50% between 1970 and 2012 mainly due to changes to intensification of farming

  • A rain frog in Costa Rica. In Puerto Rico, between 1989 and 2001, three species of rain or robber frogs (Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti, Eleutherodactylus jasper and Eleutherodactylus eneidae) are thought to have gone extinct and eight populations from the same group (Eleutherodactylus) suffered severe declines in one of the national forests.
    A Rain Frog in Costa Rica. Rain or robber frogs (Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti, Eleutherodactylus jasper and Eleutherodactylus eneidae) Puerto Rico Between 1989 and 2001 three species of rain or robber frogs are thought to have gone extinct and eight populations from the same group of frogs (Eleutherodactylus) suffered severe declines in one of Puerto Rico’s national forests. A fungus is affecting amphibian populations all over the world is thought to be the cause of decline here, along with long periods of drought
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