Recent research has revealed that humans have wiped out 70% of the animal population in the last 50 years as World Wildlife Fund raises alarm regarding wildlife decline and damage to the ecosystem.

The global wildlife population has declined by 69% from the years 1970 to 2018. Just two years ago, the decline was 68%, while four years ago, it was only 60%.

Humans have caused this decline due to deforestation and overdevelopment, which has resulted in the loss of natural habitats and pollution. This drastic loss will ultimately contribute to climate change, affecting humans as well, The Guardian reported.

South America has seen a great decline in the loss of animal population, reducing by 94% in half a century, as humans seek to selfishly destroy the Amazon rainforest.

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Tanya Steele, chief executive of WWF-UK says, “Deforestation rates there are accelerating, stripping this unique ecosystem not just of trees but of the wildlife that depends on them and of the Amazon’s ability to act as one of our greatest allies in the fight against climate change.”

Moreover, wildlife has declined by 66% in Africa, 20% in North America and 18% in Europe, and 55% in Asia and the Pacific.

On average, the most affected species are freshwater fish, reptiles, and amphibians which have declined by 83%.

“Despite the science, the catastrophic projections, the impassioned speeches and promises, the burning forests, submerged countries, record temperatures and displaced millions, world leaders continue to sit back and watch our world burn in front of our eyes,” Steele said.

“The climate and nature crises, their fates entwined, are not some faraway threat our grandchildren will solve with still-to-be-discovered technology,” she added.

Nearly 200 countries are expected to meet in December in Montreal for a UN biodiversity summit to target to stop wildlife decline by 2030.