Since 1500, over 320 land-dwelling vertebrate species have gone extinct, with the remaining species experiencing an average 25 percent decline in population. Invertebrate animal life is also suffering greatly. This current wave of extinction is attributed to human activity, leading to what researchers call 'Anthropocene defaunation'. Between 16 to 33 percent of vertebrate species are at risk of extinction globally. Large animals, including elephants and polar bears, are facing the highest rate of decline, similar to past extinction events. The increase in rodent populations due to human activity has led to a rise in disease-carrying ectoparasites. Invertebrate animals have also seen a significant decrease in population over the past 35 years, with a 45 percent decline. Loss of habitat and global climate change are the primary drivers of this trend, which could have far-reaching impacts on human health and well-being. Dirzo recommended that promptly decreasing rates of habitat destruction and overexploitation could be beneficial, but it is important to customize these strategies to specific regions and circumstances. He emphasized that extinction should not only be viewed as the disappearance of a species, but also as a loss of essential ecosystem functions in which animals play a crucial role. The study was published in the journal Science.