Up to 1/3 of World's Wildlife Wiped Out Since 1970

Sadly man will act too late to save many of our wildlife species that are threatened with extinction.

Breeding pair, I am lucky in my area still some birdlife even after many years of drought.

lncptrs has contributed a photo to this story.

"Add climate change into the mix and we could, effectively, be looking at the end of biodiversity on the planet."

That's a very arrogant, human-centric view of the situation. We are certainly in the midst of the largest extinction crisis this planet has seen in the last 65 million years. The effects of these extinctions is unknown, but it won't cause the end of biodiversity. Changes, yes. The end? No. That's not to say that we shouldn't do everything possible to reduce these changes.

"These statistics are almost impossible to believe."

They're impossible to believe because they're not true. Those statistics are misleading. Of the 1400 species in the survey, 1/4 to 1/3 are believed to be extinct. That's very different to saying that 1/4 to 1/3 of all the millions of species on this planet have become extinct since 1970.

I'm passionate about conservation, but I don't think misrepresenting the truth is the correct way to engage others in this. News organisations need to be trustworthy.

Stewart

Colourful flatworms are commonly seen on Singapore's living reefs and shores. Although highly urbanised, Singapore still has lots of wild places. For more, see http://www.wildsingapore.com/

wildsingapore has contributed a photo to this story.

It was just a flock of Cockatoos I came across while driving. They were feeding on the seeds of a Liquidamber tree on the side of the road.

Kounelli has contributed a photo to this story.

Its amazing how a baby monkey looks. It has so many wrinkles, they loose them as they grow old and we gain them as we grow old. :)

ajit_satam has contributed a photo to this story.

The feral Mink, introduced from the USA for the fur trade and then 'released' by animal rights activists into the English countryside.
Now it has almost wiped out the water shrew and other native aquatic mammals.

DrSlippers has contributed a photo to this story.

shot in the Türkenschanzpark in Vienna

Diavie has contributed a photo to this story.

Even in face of these hart braking statistics this baby bird was incredibly trusting. Peering at me ingenuously out of his bright newborn eyes he gave me the impression of having no idea how the self interest of our species is decimating his wold and kin.

Mr. FM has contributed a photo to this story.

These photos were taken at my local Country Park in Nottingham. UK. Although there always seems to be an abundance of wildlife, we are increasingly seeing non-native species appearing, the latest is a Black Swan & Mandarin Duck. Whether this is to do with Climate Changes, who knows!

Angelicus73 has contributed a photo to this story.

Coot taken in Dublins Phoenix Park.

ard_an_ri has contributed a photo to this story.

A coot chick on its way for feeding time. (The Netherlands)

tway76 has contributed a photo to this story.

This is due to the greed of us human animals.

How can we ever expect to win the race to save the animals?

Shot in Monterey bay, California basking in the sun.

Dan Valentine has contributed a photo to this story.

This is a boar, seen in a wild life resort in the Bavarian Forest, Germany.

Travelawyer has contributed a photo to this story.

Sadly, I can see this well in the bird population in Iceland, especially those who eat sandeel and other small fishes.

Gísli Baldur has contributed a photo to this story.

We were photographing on the Masai Mara, Kenya Africa and came across this breeding pair of lions. This was taken during one of rest period in between one of the several couplations that we witnessed.

Picture Taker 2 has contributed a photo to this story.

As an amateur photographer it is getting harder all the time to find animals, birds or snakes in the wild. I spend a lot of time in Florida and New York walking in the wild looking for that perfect shot.

greyhound dad has contributed a photo to this story.

These pictures begged to be taken.
My husband and I have been taking nature pictures in various locations both wild and not so wild.

Greyhoundmom has contributed a photo to this story.

Life is fragile we must protect it to the best of our ability.

A couple of sunbathing seals at the North Carolina Zoo.

aubsglamola has contributed a photo to this story.

My photo from The Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is a sad testament to wildlife in the Southern California area. There was 20 year building moratorium in my particular area
and when the 20 years was up some years ago the place was overrun with new tract homes & stores. Used to be able to see coyotes trotting down the street, racoons in trees, possums waddling about, and the occasional odor of skunk letting someones dog know who is boss and with a good set of binoculars a mountain lion. Now with the exception of some birds, its house cats & pet dogs.

We saw a family of deer at Bear Park in Colorado Springs while walking on Mother's Day. They were not bothered by our presence in the slightest and at one point we were only about 10 feet away from them, separated by a creek.

BlakeSarahKennySam has contributed a photo to this story.

It's hard not to fall into despair with the relentlessly bad news about the state of this world. So let me add a positive note which is badly needed to offset the gloom. Pandas are doing quite well. The last census recorded 500 more pandas in the wild than was thought to exist. Plus improvements in captive breeding techniques means that pandas are being reared almost on a production line. With thier habitat being protected better than ever before the future is bright.
Kevin
www.drawntonature.co.uk

kjhayler has contributed a photo to this story.

You wouldn't notice me unless you stopped and waited for awhile.

angela pierce has contributed a photo to this story.

This cinnamon black bear was not frightened by my presence near his home in a remote canyon in western Montana.

ldears has contributed a photo to this story.

the Great Bustard is rarely seen bird, nearly extirpated.

Pa-Se has contributed a photo to this story.