LONDON: Monitored populations of nearly 5,800 vertebrate species declined by an average of 73% between 1970 and 2022, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said in its latest Living Planet Report published on Thursday.

The Living Planet Index, managed by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and WWF, tracked 35,803 populations representing 5,790 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish over the 52-year period.

The 2026 report estimated that overall monitored populations declined by an average of around 2.5% annually during the period.

“Monitored global populations continue to decline on average with no evidence yet of that global recovery,” said Andrew Terry, chief conservation officer at ZSL.

The report cautioned that the average decline does not represent a headcount of the total number of animals lost since 1970. The index is particularly sensitive to changes in populations that are already small.

Freshwater species recorded the steepest average decline, falling by 85%, while terrestrial species declined by 69% and marine species by 59%.

South America experienced the largest average decline, at 95%, while monitored populations in Africa fell by 80% between 1970 and 2022.

The 2026 Living Planet Report incorporated data on an additional 295 species and 967 populations compared with the previous report published in 2024, while also covering longer time series.

The additional data “reinforces our confidence in the continued decline in biodiversity”, Terry told a briefing.

Habitat loss and degradation were identified as the most frequently reported threats to wildlife populations. Other major pressures included overexploitation, climate change, pollution, invasive species and disease.

Despite the overall decline, WWF said there were grounds for optimism, with targeted conservation programmes helping populations of some species recover.

“Amid these steep declines, there are grounds for hope, rooted in evidence. Wildlife populations are under pressure but recovery is in reach,” said Kirsten Schuijt, WWF director general.

Species including tigers, Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna, southern African elephants and green sea turtles have benefited from targeted conservation efforts, according to the report.

Schuijt said conservation efforts would need to be accompanied by changes to energy, food and financial systems to halt the loss of nature.