7 most worrying news stories of 2011
Wanderlust looks back at some of the most troubling news stories of 2011, with the hopes that the next year will see an end to these worrying trends…
1. More threatened wildlife species than ever before
1. More threatened wildlife species than ever beforeA review of the Red List of Threatened Species, drawn up by the International Union for Conservation back in November, found that despite conservation efforts more animals are in danger of dying-out than ever before. The latest global assessment of threatened species revealed that 25% of mammals are at risk of extinction.
2. World’s 2012 Watch List announced
2. World’s 2012 Watch List announcedFrom the Nazca lines in Peru to the floating villages of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, the World Monuments Watch (WMW) announced the world’s most threatened man-made travel icons and warned we need to act now to save them. According to the WMW poorly managed tourism threatens many of the places featured on the list.
3. Worst year ever for rhino poaching
Data published by South Africa National Parks revealed 2011 was the worst year ever for illegal rhino hunting. There was a record number of 405 poaching related deaths, compared to 333 deaths in 2010.
The extinction of the Javan rhino in Vietnam was also announced earlier this year. Conservations estimate there are fewer than 50 remaining in the wild.
