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The wildlife photographer has dedicated the last ten years to raising funds for conservation efforts around the world, but now she expresses concern about the future outlook. "It seems like we've taken a backward step," she remarked.

Through her Remembering Wildlife series—an annual, not-for-profit photo collection featuring photographs from the leading wildlife artists—she has raised £1.2m over the past 10 years. The first edition was published in 2015, coinciding with the formulation of the Paris climate agreement, but in the years following, efforts to tackle the climate crisis have faced setbacks.

Compared to a few years ago, there was a push for clean energy rather than fossil fuel extraction globally. I think the value of nature is something for us all to cling on to.

Despite this, she maintains some hope. "I'm nervous but at the same time I'm heartened by the fact that there are numerous individuals that continue to show concern. I'll do everything I can to fulfill my commitment and continue the struggle. And I know there's many others who feel the same, so only the future will reveal, but we must not be complacent."

A Stark Graphic Warning of Potential Futures

This latest publication, titled Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, features original and modified images of animals such as polar bears, cheetahs, and pangolins shown within and then erased from their native environments.

Raggett explained these images were intended to be "provocative" and to offer a preview of the future if we continue as we are. "The pace of wildlife decline is so rapid worldwide and there's a significant effort to be done to turn it around. We might actually be facing 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 realise what may occur if we fail to act."

Concerns Close to Home

While much of her professional work has taken her to distant locations like Kenya, Tanzania, and Bhutan, she also has apprehensions about developments in her home country. The government has pledged to build 1.5 million houses by the end of its first term in parliament.

As part of this, officials have instructed the Environment Agency to approve planning applications in England with minimal resistance, a move that has dismayed conservation advocates. Earlier recently, it was revealed that a senior official boasted about removing obstacles from a development of 20,000 homes that was being held up by "protected species on the site."

Raggett called for a "significant halt" on the government's "near-sighted" plans for rapid housebuilding. "It's crucial to recognise is that we are all intertwined with the environment," she stated. "It's very easy in a built-up country like ours to not understand the role every animal plays in our natural system, how they support forest health and the impact that has on removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

"I feel like, in this nation, there are enough brownfield sites that could and should be repurposed before you sacrifice additional countryside. We've lost so much. I think there should be a massive pause."

Inspiration from Heartbreak

Raggett was moved to create the Remembering Wildlife initiative after coming across an pachyderm that had been a victim of illegal hunting in Kenya. "He had a poisoned arrow in him and then he began to be consumed by scavengers. I was so horrified and I felt so powerless… so I was resolved to try and do something about it," she shared.

She noted that attempts to clamp down on wildlife crime have been varied. "The effect of illegally hunting rhinoceroses for their tusks in South Africa continues to be devastating. I have acquaintances who are based out there and the rate of poaching is shocking but there have been some wins too. China outlawing elephant tusks a recently definitely has had an impact but then it resurfaces in the illegal trade elsewhere in Asia," she explained.

Addressing demand, particularly in Asia where poaching products are used in traditional medicines, is one of the most important ways to combat the issue, Raggett said. "Illegal hunting is still a massive criminal industry and it's not going anywhere. It's still very much widespread."

Remembering a Legendary Scientist

Earlier in October, the globally celebrated primatologist Jane Goodall died at the age of 91. Raggett had encountered 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 queue of people eager to have appointments with her. She was totally inspirational and encouraging and had genuine modesty in how she communicated," she reflected. "She has a extraordinary legacy full of insight, and humour as well."