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The wildlife photographer has dedicated the past decade to gathering donations for wildlife protection around the world, but now she feels nervous about the future outlook. "It seems like we've regressed," she remarked.

Through her Wildlife Memorial series—an yearly, not-for-profit picture book featuring photographs from the leading wildlife artists—she has raised £1.2m over the last decade. The first edition was published in 2015, during the time of the formulation of the Paris accord, but since then, efforts to address the environmental emergency have faced setbacks.

Compared to a recent past, there was a desire for clean energy rather than drilling for oil across the world. I think the value of nature is something for us all to hold onto.

Despite this, she maintains some optimism. "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 make every effort to keep my end of the bargain and continue the struggle. And I know there's many others who share this view, so time will tell, but we certainly can't be complacent."

A Stark Graphic Warning of What Could Be

This year's release, called Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, features original and modified images of creatures such as polar bears, cheetahs, and scaled mammals living in and then erased from their native environments.

Raggett stated these images were intended to be "thought-provoking" and to provide a preview of the future if we continue as we are. "The rate of wildlife decline is alarmingly fast worldwide and there's a significant effort to be done to reverse it. We might actually be facing a future where these landscapes would be devoid of these creatures," she commented. "This is the reason we produced it, to cause reflection and realise what may occur if we don't take action."

Concerns Close to Home

While the majority of her photography career has taken her to distant locations like Kenya, Tanzania, and the Himalayas, she also has apprehensions about developments in her home country. The government has committed to construct 1.5 million houses by the end of its first term in parliament.

In support of this, officials have directed the ecological authority to approve development proposals in England with little opposition, a move that has alarmed conservation advocates. Earlier this month, it was revealed that a top figure boasted about unblocking 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 "short-sighted" plans for rapid construction. "What everyone needs to understand is that we are all intertwined with nature," she asserted. "It's very easy in a developed nation like ours to not grasp the part every species plays in our natural system, how they keep our trees growing and the impact that has on removing CO2 from the air.

"I feel like, in this nation, there are enough previously developed land that ought to be repurposed before you lose any more rural areas. We've lost so much. I think there needs to be a massive pause."

Inspiration from Tragedy

Raggett was inspired to create the Remembering Wildlife project after encountering an elephant that had been a prey of illegal hunting in Kenya. "He had a toxic projectile in him and then he started to be eaten by hyenas. I was so shocked and I felt so impotent… so I was resolved to try and take action," she shared.

She commented that attempts to curb illegal poaching have been mixed. "The effect of illegally hunting rhinoceroses for their tusks in South Africa remains devastating. I have acquaintances who are based out there and the frequency of illegal killing is shocking but there have been positive developments too. China outlawing elephant tusks a few years ago has certainly made an effect but then it resurfaces in the illegal trade in other parts in Asia," she detailed.

Tackling consumer desire, especially in Asia where illegal wildlife items are used in traditional medicines, is one of the key ways to reduce the issue, Raggett emphasized. "Poaching is still a huge illegal enterprise and it's here to stay. It's still very much rampant."

Honoring a Iconic Scientist

Earlier in October, the globally celebrated primate expert Jane Goodall passed away 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 overnight trip from Tanzania. At my age, I'd be having a nap the next morning and yet she had a line of people eager to have meetings with her. She was completely motivating and encouraging and had real humility in how she spoke," she reflected. "She leaves behind a extraordinary legacy full of insight, and wit as well."