More Animals Will Fall Into Endangered Category By 2020: WWF

The animals that fall under the category of being endangered are increasing. In a current report, the global wildlife population have fallen by 58% since 1970.

The Zoological Society of London and WWF conducted an assessment called the Living Planet Assessment. The report stated that if the trend continues the decrease of the vertebrates could reach up to two-thirds by 2020. The figures suggest that specifically, animals living in lakes, wetlands, and rivers are the ones suffering the biggest losses. Human activity, including habitat loss, wildlife trade, pollution and climate change contributed to the declines, in a report by Pakistan Today.

Dr. Mike Barrett, head of science and policy at WWF, said: "It is pretty clear under 'business as usual' we will see continued declines in these wildlife populations. But I think now we have reached a point where there is not really any excuse to let this carry-on," according to BBC News.

The report of the Living Planet is published every two years and its goal is to provide the assessment of the state and the world's wildlife. In the recent analysis, the experts looked at the data that has been collected from 3,700 different species of birds, fish, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. It is about 6% of the total number of vertebrae species around the world.

The scientists then analyzed how the animal population has changed over the years since 1970. The previous report, published in 2014 shows that the world's wildlife population had halved over the last 40 years. The assessment suggested that an estimated of 58% decrease have occurred because of the trend continued.

As follows, The researchers conclude that today, vertebrate populations are declining by an average of 2% each year, and warn that if nothing is done, wildlife populations could fall by 67% (below 1970 levels) by the end of the decade.

Head of ZSL's Indicators & Assessments Unit Dr. Robin Freeman shared that,  "But that is assuming things continue as we expect. If pressures - overexploitation, illegal wildlife trade, for example - increase or worsen, then that trend may be worse.