Bluefin tuna have made a significant comeback in UK waters after becoming largely absent by the 1960s due to overfishing. The recovery resulted from coordinated international efforts including reduced catch quotas, size restrictions, and protection of spawning grounds, supported by campaigns from consumers, chefs, and retailers. The Angling Trust characterized the population recovery as close to an “explosion” and cited bluefin tuna as a successful case study for fisheries management.
The WWF’s Living Planet Report 2026 highlights several other species recoveries worldwide. Wild tiger populations increased more than 70% from approximately 3,200 in 2010 to about 5,700 in 2025. Green sea turtles became the first marine turtle species downgraded from “endangered” to “least concern” status following 50 years of conservation efforts across approximately 80 countries. Elephant populations in parts of southern Africa remain stable or growing, partly due to laws allowing local communities to share income from tourism and other elephant-related activities.
Despite these successes, the overall global wildlife situation remains dire. Working with the Zoological Society of London, WWF tracks nearly 36,000 populations of almost 6,000 species. The organization estimates that monitored wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% since 1970. While approximately half of tracked populations are stable or growing, these gains are offset by losses elsewhere. The index focuses only on vertebrates, potentially missing critical contributions from plants, insects, and other species that support wildlife ecosystems.
WWF identifies farming and fossil fuel combustion as the primary threats to wildlife, with habitat destruction and climate change driving the decline. The organization reports a significant funding imbalance, with approximately $7.3 trillion directed toward activities damaging nature compared to $220 billion spent on protection and restoration efforts. WWF officials emphasize that conservation requires addressing underlying causes rather than relying on protection measures alone, while noting that opportunities for reversing decline remain viable if action is taken promptly.
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