Mongabay · Climate & nature

Africa's Monitored Wildlife Populations Decline 80% Since 1970

A new global assessment indicates that monitored wildlife populations in Africa have experienced an average decline of 80% between 1970 and 2022, surpassing the global average decline of 73%.

The Living Planet Report 2026 tracked monitored populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Africa's 80% decline is surpassed only by Latin America and the Caribbean, which saw a 95% decrease.

The Living Planet Index analyzed over 35,000 population trends from nearly 5,800 vertebrate species. This index measures changes in average population size, not total species or animal loss.

Habitat destruction and degradation are identified as the primary pressures on monitored wildlife globally. Other threats include overexploitation, climate change, pollution, disease, and invasive species.

In the Congo Basin, pressures like agriculture, logging, and infrastructure development fragment forests, increasing hunting and poaching. African forest elephant populations have fallen by over 60% due to habitat loss and illegal ivory trade.

Conservation efforts can yield positive results, with about half of the index's populations stable or increasing, though steep declines in others impact the overall average.

For example, while savanna elephants in Southern Africa are declining in many areas, some populations are growing where local communities manage wildlife and benefit from these efforts.

The report emphasizes that reversing biodiversity decline requires systemic changes in food and energy production, and financial systems, beyond just protecting species and habitats.

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