World's wildlife being pushed to the edge by humans - in pictures

Global wildlife populations will decline by 67% by 2020 unless urgent action is taken to reduce human impact on species and ecosystems, warns the biennial Living Planet Index report from WWF and ZSL. From elephants to eels, here are some of the wildlife populations most affected by human activity

Main image: Griffons and vultures at the edge of lake in Rajasthan, India. These species are among the most threatened by humans. Photograph: Bernard Castelein/Alamy Stock Photo

  • African elephants are under intense pressure from poaching and the fragmentation of habitat. Populations in Tanzania have declined by 60% between 2009 and 2014.
    African elephants are under intense pressure from poaching and the fragmentation of habitat. Populations in Tanzania have declined by 60% between 2009 and 2014.

  • The maned wolf is among the large mammals in the Brazilian Cerrado that are threatened by the increasing conversion of grasslands into farmland for grazing and growing crops.
    The maned wolf is among the large mammals in the Brazilian Cerrado that are threatened by the increasing conversion of grasslands into farmland for grazing and growing crops.

  • The hellbender salamander underwent population declines of 77% across five locations in Missouri, US, between 1975 and 1995. Degradation of habitat from the effects of agriculture and the recreational use of rivers is believed to be the main cause of the decline.
    The hellbender salamander underwent population declines of 77% across five locations in Missouri, US, between 1975 and 1995. Degradation of habitat from the effects of agriculture and the recreational use of rivers is believed to be the main cause of the decline.

  • Killer whale populations in European waters are under threat from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Despite legislative restrictions on their use, these pollutants are still present in orcas’ blubber at levels that exceed all known marine mammal toxicity thresholds.
    Killer whale populations in European waters are under threat from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Despite legislative restrictions on their use, these pollutants are still present in orcas’ blubber at levels that exceed all known marine mammal toxicity thresholds.

  • As few as 70 critically endangered Amur leopards are left in the wild, due to habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict.
    As few as 70 critically endangered Amur leopards are left in the wild, due to habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict.

  • The white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture, slender-billed vulture and the Himalayan griffon (pictured) have been decimated throughout south-east Asia over the past 20 years due to the widespread use of the anti-inflammatory cattle drug diclofenac. The drug causes kidney failure in birds that eat the carcasses of recently treated cattle.
    The white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture, slender-billed vulture and the Himalayan griffon (pictured) have been decimated throughout south-east Asia over the past 20 years due to the widespread use of the anti-inflammatory cattle drug diclofenac. The drug causes kidney failure in birds that eat the carcasses of recently treated cattle.

  • The gharial, a critically endangered species of crocodile which lives in India and Nepal, is declining due to degradation of its habitat, accidental bycatch in fishing nets and harvesting of eggs.
    The gharial, a critically endangered species of crocodile which lives in India and Nepal, is declining due to degradation of its habitat, accidental bycatch in fishing nets and harvesting of eggs.

  • Just 880 critically endangered mountain gorillas remain in the wild, facing threats of habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict.
    Just 880 critically endangered mountain gorillas remain in the wild, facing threats of habitat destruction and human-wildlife conflict.

  • Major Mitchell’s cockatoo underwent a precipitous population crash in Australia, largely due to the illegal collection of eggs for the pet trade. The population is slowly recovering due to better law enforcement, but the species remains at risk from the clearing of woodland habitat and the destruction of nesting trees.
    Major Mitchell’s cockatoo underwent a precipitous population crash in Australia, largely due to the illegal collection of eggs for the pet trade. The population is slowly recovering due to better law enforcement, but the species remains at risk from the clearing of woodland habitat and the destruction of nesting trees.

  • There are an estimated 3,900 tigers left in the wild and these face threats including habitat destruction, climate change and human-wildlife conflict.
    There are an estimated 3,900 tigers left in the wild and these face threats including habitat destruction, climate change and human-wildlife conflict.

  • The leatherback turtle, feeding here on a pyrosome, has become increasingly rare in both the tropical Atlantic and Pacific. It declined by 95% between 1989 and 2002 in Las Baulas national park in Costa Rica, mainly caused by mortality at sea due to individuals being caught as bycatch and by development around nesting beaches. Similar trends have been observed throughout the species’ range.
    The leatherback turtle, feeding here on a pyrosome, has become increasingly rare in both the tropical Atlantic and Pacific. It declined by 95% between 1989 and 2002 in Las Baulas national park in Costa Rica, mainly caused by mortality at sea due to individuals being caught as bycatch and by development around nesting beaches. Similar trends have been observed throughout the species’ range.

  • The European eel is declining due to disease, overfishing and changes to its freshwater habitat that impede its migration to the sea to breed.
    The European eel is declining due to disease, overfishing and changes to its freshwater habitat that impede its migration to the sea to breed.

  • Only 1,864 giant pandas remain in the wild. Threats include human-wildlife conflict and climate change. The species is listed as vulnerable.
    Only 1,864 giant pandas remain in the wild. Threats include human-wildlife conflict and climate change. The species is listed as vulnerable.

  • But there is some good news: conservation measures including the preservation of habitat and strict controls on hunting have led to population increases in Europe for the brown bear, grey wolf and Eurasian lynx (pictured), which has increased by 495% since 1963.
    But there is some good news: conservation measures including the preservation of habitat and strict controls on hunting have led to population increases in Europe for the brown bear, grey wolf and Eurasian lynx (pictured), which has increased by 495% since 1963.
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