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Margot Raggett has dedicated the past decade to raising funds for wildlife protection globally, but currently she expresses concern about the prospects ahead. "It does feel like we've taken a backward step," she remarked.

Through her Remembering Wildlife series—an annual, charitable photo collection featuring images from the leading wildlife artists—she has raised 1.2 million pounds over the last decade. The first edition was published in 2015, during the time of the formulation of the Paris accord, but in the years following, efforts to tackle the climate crisis have been rolled back.

Relative to a recent past, there was a push for clean energy instead of fossil fuel extraction globally. I think the value of the natural world is something for us all to hold onto.

Despite this, she maintains some optimism. "I feel anxious but equally I'm heartened by the fact that there are so many people that do seem to still care. I'll make every effort to fulfill my commitment and continue the struggle. And I know there's lots of other people who feel the same, so time will tell, but we certainly can't be unconcerned."

An Unsettling Visual Reminder of What Could Be

This year's release, titled Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, includes original and modified pictures of creatures such as polar bears, cheetahs, and scaled mammals shown within and then scrubbed out of their natural habitats.

Raggett stated these visuals were designed to be "provocative" and to provide a glimpse of the future if we continue as we are. "The pace of wildlife decline is alarmingly fast worldwide and there's a significant effort to be done to turn it around. We might actually be looking at a future where these settings would be devoid of these creatures," she said. "This is the reason we created it, to make people pause and understand what may occur if we fail to act."

Worries Close to Home

While much of her professional work has taken her to far-off places like Kenya, the Serengeti, and Bhutan, she also has apprehensions about developments in her native land. The administration has committed to build 1.5 million houses by the conclusion of its initial period in parliament.

In support of this, officials have instructed the Environment Agency to greenlight planning applications in England with little opposition, a move that has alarmed conservation advocates. Earlier recently, it was reported that a top figure spoke proudly of removing obstacles from a development of 20,000 homes that was being held up by "some snails on the site."

Raggett called for a "massive pause" on the government's "short-sighted" plans for rapid housebuilding. "It's crucial to recognise 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 part every species plays in our ecosystem, how they keep our trees growing and the effect that has on removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

"In my opinion, in this country, there are enough brownfield sites that could and should be redeveloped before you sacrifice additional countryside. We've already sacrificed plenty. I think there needs to be a comprehensive stop."

Inspiration from Tragedy

Raggett was inspired to establish the Remembering Wildlife project after coming across an pachyderm that had been a victim of illegal hunting in Kenya. "It had a toxic projectile in him and then he started to be eaten by hyenas. I was so shocked and I felt so impotent… so I was determined to try and take action," she shared.

She noted that efforts to clamp down on wildlife crime have been varied. "The impact of poaching rhinos for their horns in South Africa remains devastating. I have acquaintances who are based out there and the rate of poaching is alarming but there have been some wins too. China banning ivory a few years ago has certainly made an impact but then it pops up in the black market elsewhere in Asia," she explained.

Tackling consumer desire, especially in Asia where poaching products are used in folk remedies, is one of the most important ways to reduce the issue, Raggett said. "Poaching is still a massive criminal industry and it's here to stay. It's still very much rampant."

Honoring a Iconic Primatologist

Earlier in October, the globally celebrated primatologist Jane Goodall passed away at the age 91. Raggett had met her in 2018. "I was amazed by her dedication and perseverance. She had just arrived from a night flight from Tanzania. At my age, I'd be having a nap the next morning and yet she had a queue of people waiting to have meetings with her. She was completely motivating and encouraging and had genuine modesty in how she communicated," she recalled. "She leaves behind a remarkable legacy full of insight, and wit as well."