The wildlife photographer has devoted the last ten years to raising funds for conservation efforts globally, but currently she expresses concern about the future outlook. "It seems like we've taken a backward step," she stated.
Through her Remembering Wildlife series—an yearly, not-for-profit photo collection featuring images from the world's top wildlife artists—she has collected 1.2 million pounds 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 tackle the climate crisis have been rolled back.
Compared to a recent past, there was a push for clean energy rather than drilling for oil across the world. I think the importance of the natural world is something for us all to hold onto.
Despite this, she maintains some hope. "I'm nervous but equally I'm encouraged by the fact that there are so many people that do seem to still care. I'll do everything I can to keep my end of the bargain and continue the struggle. And I know there's lots of other people who feel the same, so only the future will reveal, but we certainly can't be complacent."
A Stark Visual Reminder of Potential Futures
This latest publication, called Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, includes original and altered pictures of animals such as polar bears, big cats, and scaled mammals living in and then erased from their natural habitats.
Raggett stated these images were designed to be "provocative" and to offer a glimpse of the what lies ahead if we continue as we are. "The rate of wildlife decline is so rapid worldwide and there's a lot of work to be done to reverse it. We might actually be looking at a future where these landscapes would be devoid of these creatures," she commented. "This is the reason we produced it, to make people pause and understand what may occur if we don't take action."
Worries Domestically
While the majority of her photography career has taken her to distant locations like Kenya, Tanzania, and the Himalayas, she also has reservations about situations in her home country. The administration has committed to build 1.5 million houses by the conclusion of its initial period in government.
As part of this, officials have instructed the ecological authority to greenlight development proposals in England with little opposition, a decision that has alarmed conservation advocates. Earlier this month, it was revealed that a senior official spoke proudly of unblocking a housing project of 20,000 homes that was being held up by "some snails on the site."
Raggett called for a "significant halt" on the government's "short-sighted" plans for accelerated construction. "What everyone needs to understand is that we are all intertwined with the environment," she asserted. "It's very easy in a built-up nation like ours to not understand the part every animal plays in our ecosystem, how they keep our trees growing and the effect that has on clearing carbon from the atmosphere.
"In my opinion, in this country, there are enough previously developed land that could and should be repurposed before you lose any more countryside. We've already sacrificed plenty. I think there should be a massive pause."
Inspiration from Tragedy
Raggett was moved to establish the Remembering Wildlife project after encountering an elephant that had been a victim of illegal hunting in Kenya. "He 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 resolved to try and take action," she recalled.
She noted that efforts to clamp down on illegal poaching have been varied. "The effect of illegally hunting rhinoceroses for their tusks in South Africa remains horrific. I have friends who are based out there and the rate of poaching is shocking but there have been positive developments too. China outlawing elephant tusks a few years ago definitely has had an effect but then it resurfaces in the illegal trade elsewhere in Asia," she detailed.
Addressing demand, particularly in Asia where poaching products are used in traditional medicines, is one of the most important ways to reduce the issue, Raggett said. "Poaching is still a massive illegal enterprise and it's not going anywhere. It's still very much widespread."
Remembering a Iconic Primatologist
Earlier in October, the globally celebrated primate expert 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 gotten off a overnight trip from Tanzania. At my age, I'd be resting the next morning and yet she had a line of people eager to have meetings with her. She was totally inspirational and supportive and had real humility in how she communicated," she reflected. "She leaves behind a extraordinary heritage full of insight, and humour as well."
