At Living Planet Report 2026 launch: WWF, ZSL drum dismantling trafficking networks, improving wildlife protection.

The jointly produced report was officially released Tuesday, October 20, during a press conference in Yaounde. 

The Conservation Director at WWF Cameroon, Dr Ebenezar Asaah, and ZSL Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Dr Andrew Fowler, spoke to the media during the presser. 

The Living Planet Report 2026 is a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet. The WWF's biennial flagship publication, now in its 16th edition, officials noted, provided a science-led overview of the state of the natural world. The report included the Living Planet Index, LPI, which tracks how species populations are faring around the world. 

The major finding of the report is the 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations globally from 1970-2022. 

It was explained that the percentage change in the index reflects the cumulative average proportional change in monitored animal population sizes at sites around the world since 1970. 

Officials said the situation is rather than the number of individual animals lost, nor the number of populations lost. 

The decline for Africa within the same period stood at 80%, the report revealed. WWF Cameroon Conservation Director said the Congo Basin rainforests, which hosts savannahs, rivers, mangroves and coastline that feed families, drives the economy and shelter Africa's most iconic wildlife, is now under threat. 

Dr Asaah enlightened that forests are being cleared for farmlands, roads and other infrastructure while poachers and traffickers continue to target elephants, gorillas, pangolins and other protected wildlife. 

In addition, he said human-wildlife conflicts coupled with changing climate are putting both the ecosystems and communities under strain. 

According to Dr Asaah, the issue of conservation should interest every Cameroonian. This, he said, is vial as disappearance of the forests intrinsically impact the water the population drinks, the soils used in growing food, the incomes of millions of families as well as the protection against climate shocks. 

“Biodiversity is not a luxury, and it is not an obstacle to development,” Dr Asaah declared. He insisted that it forms the foundation for its prosperity. 

Despite the bleak picture, Dr Asaah assured that the 16th edition of the publication was hinged on the Science of Hope for a reason. 

Hope from Lobéké National Park

He argued that where protection is strong and sustained, the nature recovers naturally with the Lobéké National Park as a tangible proof in Cameroon. He said the latest surveys estimate 1,186 forest elephants in Lobéké National Park in 2025, which is largely the same as ten years ago. 

“Where elephants are under such heavy pressure, holding steady is a real achievement. Gorilla estimates rose from 2,181 in 2015 to 2,674 in 2025. We need more analysis before we call that a confirmed increase, but it is an encouraging signal,” he added. 

He credited the numbers to the contribution of eco-guards on patrol, scientists counting wildlife, and communities who have chosen to protect their forest

Stability is not security

Dr Asaah equally avowed that stability is not security and as such a few bad years of poaching could undo a decade of progress. He said this warrants strengthening wildlife protection and dismantling trafficking networks. 

“Make sure every development decision, from a new road to a new mine, protects nature. Above all, make conservation work for people. Indigenous Peoples and local communities must have a voice in decisions, their rights respected and a fair share of the benefits,” he added. 

He averred that government, development partners, businesses, civil society, the media and communities each have a part to play.

Enter ZSL official

Dr Andrew Fowler stressed the need for governments to balance the equation of striving for development and conservation of the biodiversity. 

While acknowledging how challenging it can be strike a balance, the ZSL Regional Director proposed the use of science to develop and improve people's livelihoods, and at the same time preserving animal populations. 

The ZSL Regional Director assured of the determination of his organisation and WWF to work with governments, private sector and local communities in creating community forests, structures for governance of landscapes and protected areas.

“All of these things are necessary to make this a successful endeavor, but it is difficult,” he acknowledged.  

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3948 of Friday October 23, 2026