Since 1970, there has been an overall decline in wildlife populations in the order of 52%. Freshwater species populations have declined by 76%; species populations in Central and South America have declined by 83%; and in the Indo-Pacific by 67%. These are often not complete extinctions, but large declines in the numbers of animals in each species, as well as habitat loss. This presents us with a tremendous opportunity, before it is too late to rescue many species. This book documents the present state of wildlife on a global scale, using a taxonomic approach, and serving as a one stop place for people involved in conservation to be able to find out what is in decline, and the success stories that have occurred to bring back species from the brink of extinction - primarily due to conservation management techniques - as models for what we might achieve in the future.

Winner, 2023 Choice Awards

‘Highly recommended.’

J. Organ Source: Choice

‘Matt Hayward provides a devastating critique of the novel ecosystem and compassionate conservation movement approaches that threaten to homogenize global biodiversity, i.e., the inverse of the intended aim of most conservation to maintain or restore biodiversity. This book is a useful compendium and I recommend it particularly for teachers, nongovernmental organizations, and undergraduate conservation courses.’

Rob Harcourt Source: The Quarterly Review of Biology