Threat to wild animals is Europe-wide phenomenon
According to a recent UN study that evaluated ecosystems, only 1-3 percent of Western Europe’s forests have remained untouched by human intervention. Since 1950, Europe has lost more than half its wetlands and agricultural land, which is also considered of great value. This also means a reduction in the populations or disappearance of species that used to live in these natural habitats. According to the same study, 42 percent of native mammals, 43 percent of birds, 45 percent of butterflies, 30 percent of amphibians, 45 percent of reptiles and 52 percent of freshwater fish are at risk of extinction in Europe. «It is time to make good our commitments and take specific action to protect forests immediately,» said New Democracy MP Yiannis Glavakis.
