‘Window is narrow’: Australian native animal populations plunge 70 per cent in WWF report

Key points

• Australia's native animal populations, including gentoo penguins, lemuroid and green ringtail possums, have declined by over 70% in recent years, according to the WWF's Living Planet Report 2026. Habitat loss, climate change, and overexploitation are cited as key drivers.
• However, global trends show half of surveyed species are stable or increasing, with successes like humpback whale recovery.
• Experts urge immediate action to address systemic failures and protect endangered species.