Image courtesy of WWF's report

By Connor Gunn

Report shows drastic decline in World’s wildlife population

Sep 12, 2020 | 9:00 AM

TORONTO, ON– A new report published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) shows global wildlife population has fallen by two-thirds in less than 50 years.

The report indicates an average 68 percent drop in more than 20,000 animal populations since 1970.

With the rapid growth of the world’s human population, there’s a rapid fall of the world’s animal population.

The WWF’s Living Planet Report 2020 analyzed the populations of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles and found a dramatic decline in monitored animal species from 1970 to 2016.

Human activities and the loss of habitat are big factors for this driving decline.

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According to the report, changes in land and sea use, including habitat loss and degradation, species overexploitation, invasive species and disease, pollution, and climate change are the largest factors contributing to the fall.

Along with the WWF, the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development will also release its latest global nature assessment on Tuesday.

For the full detailed report from the WWF, go to Living Planet Report 2020.