Africa records 80% decline in monitored wildlife populations

The world is facing a profound biodiversity crisis, with monitored wildlife populations declining sharply over the past five decades, but the latest Living Planet Report also points to clear evidence that sustained conservation action can reverse the trend.

Speaking at a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Africa media briefing ahead of the official launch of the Living Planet Report 2026 on Thursday (today), WWF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Yvonne Godo said the report presents both a sobering picture of nature loss and evidence that recovery remains possible.

The report, WWF’s flagship assessment of the state of nature, is published every two years and brings together scientific evidence on wildlife population trends, the pressures driving biodiversity loss and climate change, and solutions that can help reverse these trends.

For Namibia, the report has particular significance, with the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) elephant population highlighted as an example of positive conservation outcomes.

Godo said the experience of Southern African elephant populations demonstrates what can be achieved through sustained conservation efforts, strong partnerships and governance that gives communities a meaningful stake in managing the wildlife and landscapes they share.

“It's not only about the scale of nature loss, it is also about what the evidence tells us is possible when we act and sustain that action over time,” she said.

According to the report, the average size of monitored wildlife populations globally declined by 73% between 1970 and 2022.

Solani Mhango, Conservation Impact Director for Africa at WWF, stressed that the figure does not mean that 73% of the world’s animals or species have disappeared.

Rather, the Living Planet Index measures the average proportional change in monitored vertebrate population sizes over time.

The 2026 report is the most comprehensive yet, covering almost 36 000 populations across nearly 5 800 wildlife species. It also incorporates an additional 967 populations across 295 species compared with previous editions.

Mhango said about half of the monitored populations are stable or increasing, while significant declines in other populations drive the overall figure.

“This distinction matters because it helps us understand both the seriousness of this crisis and the fact that recovery is possible,” he said.

However, the report found no evidence that biodiversity loss is slowing at the global level.

The African picture is even more concerning, with the report recording an average 80% decline across monitored wildlife populations on the continent.

Mhango cautioned that Africa’s regional dataset is considerably smaller than the global dataset and that regional figures can fluctuate more because of changes in data availability.

The African dataset has nevertheless expanded significantly, including an additional 232 populations covering 206 bird and mammal species.

Godo said the implications of biodiversity loss extend far beyond wildlife.

Africa’s rivers, forests, grasslands and coastal ecosystems underpin food and water security, livelihoods and economies while helping communities withstand climate shocks.

“When nature is weakened, the consequences reach far beyond wildlife. They affect the people, communities and economies,” she said.

She added that conservation alone would not be sufficient to address the drivers of nature loss. The way societies produce and consume food, generate energy and direct finance must also change.

For Africa, she said, these transformations must be aligned with development priorities such as strengthening food security, supporting livelihoods and building resilience.

The KAZA example demonstrates why locally led and landscape-scale conservation will remain important. Community participation, ecological connectivity and partnerships across borders can create conditions in which both people and wildlife have a better chance of thriving.

Godo warned, however, that wildlife recovery brings an ongoing responsibility.

“There is no single solution for every landscape,” she said, stressing the need to listen to communities, follow evidence, adapt to local realities and sustain conservation efforts over time.