Over the past 25 years, the hedgehog population in Switzerland has declined significantly. There are 900 hedgehogs in the city of Zurich, about 40 percent. Between 1990 and 2019 the density of brown rabbits dropped from 4.5 to 2.5 per 100 hectares. In addition, one in three capers disappeared between 1990 and 2017.
WWF Switzerland also writes that success has been achieved in the fight against species extinction. Since the resettlement in 1991 with three young birds, the number of bearded vultures has risen again to 250 birds. Since the last census in 2008, the number of beavers has doubled to around 3,500 individuals.
The opportunity to stop species extinction presents itself this December at the World Conference on Conservation (COP15). A new global agreement to protect biodiversity is being negotiated there. The goal is to stop the extinction of species and the loss of ecosystems. WWF relies on official Switzerland to support ambitious goals for nature in Montreal.
According to Thomas Vellacott, Managing Director of WWF Switzerland, the loss of nature can be stopped. With more protected areas, a change in land management, and more sustainable consumption, biodiversity loss can be stopped. That’s why Switzerland should work at the conference for an agreement that drastically reduces its ecological footprint.
(SDA)