WWF Report Highlights Wildlife Recoveries Amid Global Population Decline

Based on reporting by BBC UK:

According to a major new report from WWF, the return of Bluefin tuna in large numbers off the British coast, after they nearly vanished from UK waters, is one example of wildlife recovery that shows conservation can succeed. The Living Planet Report 2026 also revealed that monitored wildlife populations globally have seen an average decline of 73% since 1970. The wildlife conservation charity noted that nature is still in a state of "freefall" but characterized the report as one offering hope. Mike Barrett, chief scientific adviser at WWF-UK, stated that it is not too late.

Other instances of species recovery detailed in the WWF report include an increase exceeding 70% in the population of wild tigers, rising from approximately 3,200 in 2010 to about 5,700 in 2025. Furthermore, last year, the green sea turtle achieved the status of "least concern" after 50 years of conservation work across around 80 countries, marking the first marine turtle to receive this downgrade from "endangered." In southern Africa, elephant numbers are reported as stable or increasing, partly due to new legislation that grants local communities a share of income generated by elephants, including tourism.

Hannah Rudd, head of marine at the Angling Trust, commented that the outcome of the efforts concerning Bluefin tuna was close to a population "explosion," and she suggested that bluefin tuna serves as a prime example of successful fisheries management. The WWF report also mentioned that a restored wetland has become a sanctuary for rare birds, and five endangered African birds hatched at Chester Zoo.

Barrett explained that these successes stemmed from having a clear objective with a viable plan and individuals who believed they could make a difference, describing the findings as "the science of hope." He clarified that hope requires action rather than being passive or wishful thinking.

Despite these individual successes, the overall environmental outlook remains concerning. WWF tracks nearly 36,000 populations of almost 6,000 species, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians, in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London. The 73% figure reflects the average change in population size, not the total number of animals lost, and while about half of the populations are stable or growing, these gains are offset by losses elsewhere. Dr Katie Collins, a senior curator at the Natural History Museum in London, cautioned that the index overlooks many vital species as it only covers vertebrates, omitting plants, insects, and other creatures upon which they depend.

WWF asserts that conservation efforts alone cannot reverse the decline and that addressing the root causes is necessary. The organization points to farming, which can destroy necessary wildlife habitats, and the burning of fossil fuels for energy, which drives climate change, as the most significant pressures. The report estimates that in 2023, activities detrimental to nature accounted for about $7.3 trillion (£5.53tn), compared to $220bn spent on protecting or restoring nature, representing a ratio of roughly 33 to one. Barrett noted that this report was the first of his seven Living Planet reports where the main message was to focus on hope, stating that the science still indicating a way out is extraordinary, presenting a closing window of opportunity if action is taken now.