World's Natural Environments May Soon Be 'Devoid of Wild Animals', Says Nature Artist

The wildlife photographer has devoted the last ten years to raising funds for conservation efforts around the world, but now she feels nervous about the prospects ahead. "It seems like we've regressed," she stated.

Through her Wildlife Memorial series—an annual, charitable picture book featuring images from the leading wildlife artists—she has raised £1.2m over the past 10 years. The first edition was released in 2015, during the time of the drafting of the Paris climate agreement, but since then, efforts to tackle the climate crisis have faced setbacks.

Compared to a few years ago, there was a desire for clean energy instead of fossil fuel extraction across the world. I think the importance of the natural world is something for us all to hold onto.

Nevertheless, she maintains some optimism. "I feel anxious but at the same time I'm encouraged by the fact that there are numerous individuals that continue to show concern. I'll do everything I can to fulfill my commitment and keep fighting. And I know there's many others who share this view, so only the future will reveal, but we must not be unconcerned."

A Stark Graphic Warning of What Could Be

This latest publication, titled Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, features original and modified pictures of animals such as arctic bears, cheetahs, and scaled mammals living in and then scrubbed out of their native environments.

Raggett explained these images were intended to be "provocative" and to provide a preview of the future if we remain on our current track. "The pace of wildlife decline is so rapid across the world and there's a lot of work to be done to turn it around. We really could be facing a future where these landscapes would be devoid of these creatures," she commented. "That's why we produced it, to make people pause and understand what could happen if we fail to act."

Worries Close to Home

While the majority of her photography career has taken her to far-off places like Kenya, Tanzania, and Bhutan, she also has apprehensions about developments in her native land. The administration has committed to build 1.5 million homes by the end of its first term in government.

As part of this, ministers have directed the Environment Agency to greenlight planning applications in England with minimal resistance, a decision that has dismayed conservation advocates. Earlier this month, it was revealed that a top figure spoke proudly of removing obstacles from a development of 20,000 homes that was being delayed by "some snails on the site."

Raggett urged a "massive pause" on the government's "short-sighted" plans for rapid construction. "What everyone needs to understand is that we are all connected with the environment," she asserted. "It's simple in a built-up nation like ours to not understand the role every animal plays in our ecosystem, how they keep our trees growing and the impact that has on removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

"In my opinion, in this nation, there are enough previously developed land that could and should be redeveloped before you lose any more countryside. We've already sacrificed plenty. I think there should be a massive pause."

Inspiration from Tragedy

Raggett was inspired to establish the Remembering Wildlife project after coming across an pachyderm that had been a prey of poaching in Kenya. "He had a poisoned arrow in him and then he began to be consumed by scavengers. I was so shocked and I felt so impotent… so I was resolved to try and take action," she shared.

She commented that attempts to curb wildlife crime have been varied. "The impact of poaching rhinos for their horns in South Africa remains horrific. I have friends who are located there and the frequency of poaching is shocking but there have been some wins too. China banning ivory a recently definitely has had an impact but then it resurfaces in the illegal trade elsewhere in Asia," she explained.

Tackling demand, particularly in Asia where illegal wildlife items are used in traditional medicines, is one of the key ways to reduce the practice, Raggett said. "Illegal hunting is still a massive illegal enterprise and it's not going anywhere. It's still very much rampant."

Remembering a Legendary Primatologist

Earlier in October, the globally celebrated primate expert Jane Goodall died at the age of 91. Raggett had met her in 2018. "I was amazed by her dedication and determination. She had just arrived from a overnight trip from Tanzania. At my age, I'd be having a nap the next morning and yet she had a queue of people eager to have meetings with her. She was completely motivating and supportive and had real humility in how she communicated," she recalled. "She leaves behind a extraordinary legacy full of insight, and wit as well."