A conservation charity has urged leaders to work together to halt the devastation of the natural world.

On Tuesday, October 10, Marwell Wildlife made its call following the publication of the 2024 Living Planet Report, which highlights a staggering 73 per cent decline in wildlife populations over the last 50 years.

The report, produced by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), warns that the planet is nearing potentially catastrophic tipping points if current trends persist.

Freshwater species, such as the white-clawed crayfish, which Marwell is preparing to breed within its facilities, have experienced the most significant declines.

The primary driver of biodiversity loss is habitat degradation, largely due to human food production, which the report states occupies 40 per cent of all habitable land and accounts for 70 per cent of water usage.

The report underscores the need for sweeping changes in food production, energy, and financial systems to reverse the decline.

Marwell Wildlife has a history of championing sustainability. It became the first zoo in the world to use animal waste as fuel to heat its largest buildings.

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In 2023, the charity announced it had achieved carbon neutrality following a series of behavioural changes.

Laura Read, chief executive of Marwell Wildlife, said: "Never before has the natural world been under such threat as a direct result of human activity.

"The release of this report from WWF provides further evidence to support that statement and we stand with all conservation organisations, charities and concerned citizens of this planet that call for robust actions to prevent further loss of wildlife, habitats and functioning ecosystems all over the world.

"All life deserves our care and protection, and at Marwell Wildlife we will continue working as hard as we can to provide it."

Professor Philip Riordan, firector of conservation at Marwell Wildlife and Visiting Professor at University of Southampton, said: “The indications presented in this latest report are truly alarming.

“Having worked on assessments including with IPBES and IPCC, it is always staggering when data are brought together to reveal such urgency that cannot go unheeded."