Scientists have issued a warning that the number of wild animal species has declined by 67% in just the past 50 years.

The world is approaching the largest mass extinction event since the dinosaur era, which occurred approximately 65 million years ago. This warning is based on extensive research conducted on wild animals over many years.

By the year 2020, the number of mammal, bird, fish, reptile, and other animal species had declined by around two-thirds within a span of just 50 years, according to a report by WWF.

The current extinction rate of animals is over 100 times higher than the average. This figure is significantly higher than the five previous mass extinctions in Earth’s history. While the extinction of dinosaurs was caused by a large asteroid impact, animal species today are facing extinction primarily due to one cause: humans.

Within just 50 years, two-thirds of the Earth’s animal species are projected to disappear.

The Living Planet Report by WWF and the Zoological Society of London analyzed data from over 3,700 species, making it the most comprehensive assessment and global report to date. The research results revealed that from 1970 to 2012, the average decline in animal populations was 58%.

According to the report, this number was projected to reach 67% by 2020, indicating that Earth had likely lost approximately half of its animal species.

Dr. Mike Barrett, Director of Science and Policy at WWF UK, stated that this is the first time in 65 million years that Earth is facing such a significant mass extinction event. Human exploitation of natural resources without regard for the consequences has threatened ecosystems and the very existence of wild animal species, pushing many species to the brink of extinction.

Rhinoceroses have indeed been facing the threat of extinction for many years. The Javan rhinoceros, for example, is now critically endangered, with only a few individuals remaining in Southeast Asia. The Sumatran rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, and white rhinoceros have also experienced significant declines in population, with only a few hundred to a few thousand individuals left.

You are correct. Many animal species have been heavily hunted for years, leading to rapid population declines. Hundreds of elephants, for example, are illegally traded each year, which has caused a severe decline in their numbers in Asia.

The loss of habitat is a significant threat to various primate species in Africa.

African elephants are among the animal species facing a high risk of extinction due to poaching.

The rampant deforestation and destruction of forests are indeed causing the loss of habitats for numerous species.

An elephant died of dehydration during the dry season in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

The relentless fishing and hunting of sharks in Mozambique have led to a drastic decline in their population, making them increasingly rare.

The burning of forests for agricultural purposes in Madagascar is causing the loss of habitat for turtle species.

In Brazil, the conversion of grassland areas into agricultural land is leading to the loss of habitat for large anteaters, grassland wolves, and other wildlife species.

Climate change is causing the gradual loss of Arctic ice, resulting in the polar bears and many other wildlife species facing a similar plight.