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Margot Raggett has devoted the last ten years to raising funds for wildlife protection globally, but currently she expresses concern about the prospects ahead. "It seems like we've regressed," she remarked.

Through her Wildlife Memorial series—an yearly, not-for-profit photo collection featuring images from the leading wildlife artists—she has raised £1.2m over the past 10 years. The inaugural volume was released in 2015, coinciding with the formulation of the Paris accord, but in the years following, efforts to address the environmental emergency have faced setbacks.

Relative to a recent past, there was a desire for clean energy rather than fossil fuel extraction across the world. I think the importance of the natural world is something for us all to cling on to.

Nevertheless, she holds some hope. "I'm nervous but equally I'm heartened by the fact that there are numerous individuals that continue to show concern. I'll make every effort to fulfill my commitment and continue the struggle. And I know there's lots of other people who share this view, so time will tell, but we must not be complacent."

A Stark Visual Reminder of What Could Be

This latest publication, titled Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, includes unaltered and modified pictures of animals such as polar bears, cheetahs, and pangolins shown within and then scrubbed out of their natural habitats.

Raggett stated these visuals were intended to be "thought-provoking" and to offer a preview of the future if we continue as we are. "The pace of animal population decrease is alarmingly fast across the world and there's a lot of work to be done to reverse it. We might actually be looking at a tomorrow where these landscapes would be devoid of these wild animals," she commented. "That's why we created it, to cause reflection and realise what could happen if we don't take action."

Worries Domestically

While the majority of her photography career has taken her to far-off places like Kenya, the Serengeti, and the Himalayas, she also has reservations about developments in her native land. The government has pledged to build 1.5 million houses by the end of its first term in government.

In support of this, ministers have instructed the ecological authority to approve planning applications in England with little opposition, a decision that has dismayed environmental campaigners. Earlier this month, it was revealed that a senior official boasted about unblocking a development of 20,000 homes that was being held up by "some snails on the site."

Raggett urged a "massive pause" on the government's "near-sighted" plans for accelerated construction. "It's crucial to recognise is that we are all intertwined with the environment," she stated. "It's simple in a built-up nation like ours to not understand the part every animal plays in our ecosystem, how they support forest health and the impact that has on removing CO2 from the air.

"I feel like, in this country, there are sufficient previously developed land that ought to be repurposed before you sacrifice additional rural areas. We've lost so much. I think there needs to be a comprehensive stop."

Inspiration from Heartbreak

Raggett was moved to create the Remembering Wildlife initiative after encountering an pachyderm that had been a victim of poaching in Kenya. "It had a toxic projectile in him and then he began to be consumed by hyenas. I was so shocked and I felt so powerless… so I was determined to try and do something about it," she shared.

She commented that attempts to clamp down on illegal poaching have been mixed. "The impact of illegally hunting rhinoceroses for their tusks in South Africa continues to be devastating. I have friends who are based out there and the frequency of poaching is alarming but there have been positive developments too. China banning ivory a few years ago definitely has had an impact but then it pops up in the black market in other parts in Asia," she explained.

Addressing demand, particularly in Asia where illegal wildlife items are used in folk remedies, is one of the most important ways to reduce the practice, Raggett emphasized. "Poaching is still a massive criminal industry and it's not going anywhere. It's still very much rampant."

Honoring a Iconic Scientist

Earlier in October, the globally celebrated primate expert Jane Goodall died at the age 91. Raggett had encountered her in 2018. "I was blown away by her dedication and determination. She had just gotten off a night flight from Tanzania. At my age, I'd be resting the next morning and yet she had a line of people waiting to have appointments with her. She was completely motivating and supportive and had real humility in how she spoke," she reflected. "She has a extraordinary heritage full of wisdom, and humour as well."