Groundbreaking Research from University of Pretoria Shakes Up Global Biodiversity Narratives

A pioneering study spearheaded by researchers at the University of Pretoria (UP) has ignited fresh debate in conservation circles by directly confronting one of the most alarming statistics in environmental science: the claim of a 73% decline in global wildlife populations over the past 50 years. Published in the prestigious journal Science Advances on February 25, 2026, the paper titled "Out of Africa comes no support for global biodiversity catastrophes" uses sub-Saharan Africa as a rigorous test case. Led by Stuart L. Pimm, an Extraordinary Professor in UP's Conservation Ecology Research Unit (CERU), alongside international collaborators Kevin J. Gaston, Callum R. MacNeil, and William F. Laurance, the research reveals a far more nuanced reality. Far from collapse, many monitored wildlife populations in protected areas across Africa are stable or even increasing, challenging the methodologies behind widely cited indices like the World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) Living Planet Index (LPI).

This discovery not only highlights UP's leadership in biodiversity research but also underscores the critical role of South African higher education institutions in global environmental discourse. As sub-Saharan Africa's human population has surged 3.5 times in five decades amid widespread poverty and habitat pressures, the region's wildlife resilience offers valuable lessons for evidence-based conservation worldwide.

The Origins of the 73% Decline Narrative

The provocative 73% figure stems primarily from the WWF's Living Planet Report 2024, which tracks monitored vertebrate populations (mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles) from 1970 to 2020. The LPI calculates an average geometric decline, portraying a trajectory toward irreversible tipping points and biosphere transgression. This narrative has permeated media, policy, and even international frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, urging drastic action.

However, critics, including the UP team, argue that such aggregates mask regional successes and methodological pitfalls. Short time series—65% of LPI's 1,623 vertebrate datasets have just 2-4 counts—introduce massive variability from counting errors rather than true trends. In sub-Saharan Africa, representing about 30% of WWF's target species (large-bodied vertebrates easy to monitor), the data paints a different picture: no pervasive catastrophe.

Unpacking the Study's Methodology

The UP-led team employed a meticulous re-analysis of LPI time series data, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa's terrestrial populations. They calculated growth rates (natural log of population estimates) for series with at least five annual counts and 10 populations, filtering out unreliable short datasets. Independent validations, such as Huang et al. (2024) on savanna elephants, supplemented the review.

Key steps included:

• Frequency distributions of growth rates for 14 mammal species, revealing balanced declines and increases.
• Separation of populations from direct threats like poaching or habitat loss to isolate management effects.
• Comparison with planetary boundaries claims, which lack ecological mechanisms or empirical backing for Africa.

This approach exposed LPI flaws: high standard deviations in brief series and overemphasis on vertebrates, ignoring plants and insects.

Revealing Trends: Stability and Surges in African Wildlife

Core results dismantle the collapse narrative. Across robust datasets, average growth rates hover near zero or positive, contradicting LPI's implied ~3% annual drop. Populations are equally likely to grow as decline when threats are managed.

Protected areas emerge as saviors: fenced reserves stabilize herds, though raising abundance management issues like culling in Kruger National Park or contraception in Addo Elephant National Park.

Iconic Success Stories: Elephants, Wildebeest, and Beyond

Southern Africa's savanna elephants exemplify triumph. Holding 75% of the species, their numbers have edged up, prompting Botswana's export threats and South Africa's management debates. South Africa's black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou), once near extinction, exemplifies recovery through targeted efforts.

Zebras across savannas show stability in extensive surveys. These cases illustrate that while poaching ravages rhinos, proactive protection yields results, even as 80% of Africa's land faces modification (half agricultural).Read the full study here for detailed figures on growth distributions.

University of Pretoria: A Beacon in Conservation Ecology

UP's CERU stands at the forefront, with Prof Pimm—a Doris Duke Chair from Duke University—driving this work. CERU's prior elephant paper (Huang et al., 2024) underpins the analysis, showcasing the unit's capacity-building for African scientists. UP invests in real-world impact, training researchers to influence policy amid frameworks like Kunming-Montreal.

This study bolsters UP's reputation, attracting talent and funding for South Africa's HE sector, where biodiversity research addresses national priorities like sustainable development.

Expert Voices: Praise, Defense, and Debate

Prof Pimm calls global claims "deeply offensive," impugning African successes: "We are doing some things very well... Let’s celebrate our successes." CERU Director Dr Bernard Coetzee welcomes evidence-based metrics: "Sorely needed... especially in Africa."

Defenders like ZSL's Prof Johan du Toit uphold LPI's comprehensiveness (5,500 species), noting successes like gorillas while stressing data gaps for unmonitored taxa. Reactions emphasize nuance over alarmism.

Implications for South African Higher Education and Policy

For SA universities, this validates investments in ecology programs. UP's model—international collaborations, empirical rigor—positions institutions like Stellenbosch, Wits, and UCT as leaders. Policymakers can leverage findings for protected area expansion, connectivity, and anti-poaching, aligning with national biodiversity strategies.

Careers in conservation ecology boom: from research assistants to lecturers, opportunities abound in SA's HE sector amid global scrutiny.Mail & Guardian coverage highlights policy ripple effects.

Navigating Challenges: Poaching, Fences, and Data Gaps

Successes notwithstanding, threats persist: poaching for rhinos, overabundance straining ecosystems, fenced reserves limiting gene flow. Data biases (vertebrate focus) and scarcity for insects/plants demand more monitoring. SA HE must pioneer inclusive metrics.

• Expand protected areas strategically.
• Enhance connectivity for migratory species.
• Invest in long-term datasets via university-led observatories.

Future Outlook: Evidence-Based Conservation Triumphs

The study heralds a shift to measurable targets, celebrating wins like wildebeest revival while tackling losses. For UP and SA academia, it opens doors to funding, partnerships, and influence in global forums. As Prof Pimm urges, "Be smart in protecting more areas... getting support for solutions."

This research reaffirms HE's role in sustainable futures, inspiring students and faculty to drive change.

Photo by Eben Piater on Unsplash