Peter and Indira Widmann, PCCP nominated under the new EAZA Species Champions Programme

Global indicators such as the IUCN Red List show that species are becoming increasingly threatened worldwide. In fact, the Living Planet Report recently estimated that over 50% of our wildlife has been lost in the last 40 years. Alongside this, globally it is estimated that approximately $3-400bn a year is needed for biodiversity protection and yet there is something like $50bn currently being directed to conservation. While these figures are estimates they tell us what we already know: that funding needs for nature conservation are increasing and the costs are not being met by existing sources.

Please find the full press release online.