16.10.2026 10:40
According to WWF's 2026 Living Planet Report, the average size of 35,803 monitored wildlife populations declined by 73% during the 1970-2022 period. The decline reached 85% in freshwater and 95% in Latin America and the Caribbean. The report also noted that the number of tigers in the wild increased from 3,200 to 5,700 over 15 years.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) '2026 Living Planet Report', the average size of monitored wildlife populations worldwide declined by 73% in 52 years. The largest decline, at 85%, was seen in freshwater ecosystems. The report noted that conservation efforts sustained for years for some species have provided recovery, but food, energy and financial systems must be transformed to halt nature loss.
WWF announced the 2026 results of its biennial 'Living Planet Report', titled 'Science of Hope'. In the Living Planet Index prepared in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), changes in 35,803 populations belonging to 5,790 vertebrate species during the 1970-2022 period were examined. It included major losses in monitored populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, as well as improvements achieved through conservation efforts.
LARGEST LOSS IN FRESHWATER
According to the report, the decline in the average size of monitored populations was 85% in freshwater ecosystems, 69% in terrestrial ecosystems, and 59% in marine ecosystems. Regionally, the sharpest decline was seen in Latin America and the Caribbean, at 95%. Declines of 80% were recorded in Africa, 49% in Asia-Pacific, 28% in North America, and 23% in Europe and Central Asia. It was noted that in Europe and North America, a significant portion of large-scale impacts on nature occurred before 1970, the index's starting year.
It was stated that the 73% decline in the index does not mean that 73% of the world's animals have disappeared. The data was explained to reflect the average change in the size of monitored animal populations in different regions. While 43% of populations covered by the index showed an increase, 7% remained stable. However, because the magnitude of losses in declining populations exceeded the gains in increasing populations, the global index moved downward.
Habitat loss and degradation topped the threats to wildlife. This was followed by overexploitation of natural resources, climate change, pollution, invasive species and diseases. The report emphasized that food production and consumption are decisive in the destruction of habitats, the fossil fuel-based energy system in climate change, and the financial system in sustaining activities harmful to nature. It was noted that efforts to protect species and habitats alone are not enough to reverse biodiversity loss.
TIGER NUMBERS REACH 5,700
The report also included examples showing that long-term and coordinated conservation efforts yield results. The number of tigers living in the wild increased by more than 70% between 2010 and 2025, rising from 3,200 to 5,700. By reducing hunting quotas and strengthening monitoring efforts, recovery was achieved in Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna populations. While the number of African savanna elephants continued to decline across much of their range, some populations in southern Africa showed an increase.
CONTRIBUTION OF 283,000 HATCHLINGS FROM TURKEY
After conservation efforts carried out for more than 50 years in at least 80 countries, the green sea turtle moved from the 'Endangered' category to the 'Least Concern' category on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List in 2025. The work carried out by WWF-Turkey in cooperation with the 7th Regional Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks in Adana Akyatan for 21 years was also one of the local examples of this global effort. Approximately 8,200 nests were identified, and around 283,000 hatchlings were helped to reach the sea.
WWF Director General Dr. Kirsten Schuijt, noting that biodiversity continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate, said, 'The 2026 Report includes data showing that populations of many species have remained stable or recovered, as well as inspiring examples demonstrating that nature can recover and change is possible. The improvement seen in populations of species such as tigers, bluefin tuna and green sea turtles shows what can be achieved over time through long-term and coordinated efforts.'
The report emphasized that the transformation of energy, food and financial systems must be accelerated for conservation successes to be permanent and widespread. It was recommended that subsidies harmful to nature be redirected to sustainable activities, food loss and waste be reduced, financial institutions disclose their impacts on nature, and local communities participate in decision-making processes. WWF Conservation Director Daudi Sumba said, 'The window of opportunity for a different future is narrowing, but there is still hope. The sooner we act, the greater the benefits we will provide for people and nature.'