Wild mammals have declined by 85%, but there is a possible future where they flourish

Apr 26, 2021

The Quaternary Megafauna Extinction led to the extinction of more than 178 of the world’s large mammals. Image: REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva

Hannah Ritchie

Researcher, Our World in Data

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a chart showing the biomass drop of animals between 100,000 and 10,000 years ago

The Quaternary megafauna extinction saw a mass decline in animal biomass. Image: Our World in Data

a chart showing how the transition to agriculture affected libestock

Agricuture put pressure on wild mammals. Image: Our World in Data

a chart showing the decline of mamals biomass

Animals account for only 3 million tonnes of carbon today. Image: Our World in Data

a chart showing global agrilcture land area per capita

More land is needed to feed more people. Image: Our World in Data

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a chart showing mamal numbers if less land was used for agriculture

Reducing land use for agrilcture, would see a boost in wild mammal numbers. Image: Our World in Data

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