Nature & Environment

58% of wildlife wiped out over last 40 years

By T.K. Randall
October 28, 2016

Image: Northern White Rhino
Credit: Karimi Ngore / CC BY-SA 4.0 (adapted) The disturbing statistic was reported via a global biological diversity assessment conducted every two years by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

The study determined that animals living in lakes, rivers and wetlands were suffering the biggest losses, mostly due to pollution, habitat loss and climate change."It's pretty clear under 'business as usual' we will see continued declines in these wildlife populations," said Dr Mike Barrett, head of science and policy at the WWF.

"But I think now we've reached a point where there isn't really any excuse to let this carry on."

"We know what the causes are and we know the scale of the impact that humans are having on nature and on wildlife populations - it really is now down to us to act."

Source: BBC News

Tags: Wildlife, Extinction