The World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London’s biennial investigation into the current state of our planet’s environment paint a disturbing picture of the health of our ecosystems and the animals that depend on them. The alarming headline from the report, which encouragingly has been widely reported across international media, is that earth has lost 52% of all its wildlife since 1970. If that depressing statistic doesn’t shock the world into action, then nothing will. So how do we prevent this decline?

All countries need to start viewing their wildlife as precious assets that cannot be easily replenished. I keep thinking, surely there would be more urgency and less complacency if we were talking about a country’s oil and mineral wealth, and not their zoological wealth. If 50% of a nation’s gold reserves had been plundered over the last four decades, I think our law and legislation-makers would have sat up and taken action a long time ago. Yet somehow, our wildlife as a resource seems to be mystifyingly exempt from this mode of thinking. As wildlife tourism continues to flourish, the wildlife itself needs to be treated as an increasingly valuable economic asset, instead of humankind sleepwalking its way towards ecological desolation.

The ecological movement of rewilding is gathering momentum and I believe this is crucial for restoring habitats and, in turn, strengthening our bio-diversity. Essentially, this involves regenerating wilderness areas such as the Scottish Highlands through initiatives such as mass tree-planting and allowing an ecosystem to develop in a truly wild state without intervention from humans. This will enable species previously exterminated by man to be reintroduced and restore natural ecosystem processes to an optimal level benefiting the landscape, flora and fauna. I also hope this will allow us to engage with our wilderness and wildlife more and form a deeper connection with it as a result.

Eco-tourism is a lucrative niche now in business, and as long as it is managed responsibly, where the well-being of the animal is paramount, then this can only serve as a positive force, both culturally and economically, as well as enriching our relationship with the natural world. Rewilding could significantly boost tourism, of that I have no doubt; the Knapdale Beavers pilot scheme on the west coast of Scotland has already given us an indication of how effective wildlife attractions could be in generating revenue for local economies and public support for further reintroductions is increasing.

However, that can probably only be a long-term goal, so what can be done in the short-term? Well, governments around the world need to enforce much stronger punishments on those committing wildlife crimes, and those countries that currently have a lax attitude towards protecting and conserving their wildlife need to be brought into line through more stringent legislation from organisations such as the United Nations. Those who do not adhere to the new rules must face sanctions and public castigation. For me, an international consensus must be ultimately established to redress the balance in favour of our wildlife before it vanishes forever.