According to the World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report, the world’s animal species are dying, and humans are a big reason why.  The Report reveals that global populations of wild mammals, fish, birds, amphibians and reptiles declined 58 percent on average between 1970 and 2012.  Specifically, land animals declined by 38 percent, marine species incurred a 36 percent drop, and the number of freshwater species decreased 81 percent.  Using1970 as a baseline, the world is on track to lose an estimated 66 percent of its wild animal populations by 2020.  This fact has prompted experts to call this time in history as “the Anthropocene,” and these declining numbers for species are uncharted territory. Species like eastern and western Gorillas are nearly extinct and poaching has decimated both elephant and northern white rhino populations. Even vulture populations are headed towards extinction as are certain species of bees.  Other causes of the mass extinction of wildlife are urban development, over-hunting, pollution, disease, and climate change – all of which are tied to humans.  In many respects, the earth is becoming inhospitable to both animals and humans.

Source:  http://www.aol.com/article/news/2016/10/27/were-on-track-to-lose-a-huge-chunk-of-the-worlds-animal-popula/21593252/