The staggering decline of our planet's most iconic wildlife species
In short: Since 1970, the average size of wildlife populations has plummeted by 73%. From the elusive Sunda pangolin to the majestic snow leopard, many of the world's most treasured animals are facing an unprecedented fight for survival against human-led threats.
The scale of biodiversity loss is immense. According to the 2024 Living Planet Report, wildlife populations have seen an average decline of 73% since 1970. At present, the IUCN Red List features over 47,000 species facing potential extinction. This crisis is largely driven by unsustainable human activities, such as habitat loss, overexploitation, and the expansion of infrastructure. As our modern society becomes increasingly resource-intensive, natural spaces continue to shrink, further endangering these vulnerable species.
Specific species illustrate the diverse nature of these threats. The Sunda pangolin, a nocturnal mammal found in Southeast Asian forests, is heavily targeted by illegal poaching for its meat and scales. Similarly, the Sunda tiger—the smallest tiger subspecies, weighing up to 140kg—is losing its Sumatran habitat as the human population in Southeast Asia nearly doubled between the 1980s and 2020. This expansion increases the likelihood of human-tiger conflict and illegal trade. The expansion of roads and transportation infrastructure also threatens the survival of these big cats. Additionally, the illegal trade of tiger parts remains a significant concern for the species.
Conservation efforts show varying degrees of success and difficulty. The Amur leopard, one of the world's rarest big cats, has a wild population of approximately 130 individuals. While they have been critically endangered since 1996, they benefit from protected areas covering 90% of their current range in Russia and China. In contrast, mountain gorillas in the volcanic regions of the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda face complex dangers, including civil unrest and susceptibility to human diseases, as they share 98% of our DNA. Beyond the threat of illegal snares, these primates are also vulnerable to injury. They are currently restricted to just four specific national parks across the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 5 Incredible Animals That Could Go Extinct In Your Lifetime | BBC Earth
- Also: 10 of the world's most endangered animals
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