When we think about the consequences of war, we usually associate destruction with human, social, and economic losses. But a recent study published in Wild Animals, a new journal by Malque Publishing, brings a powerful warning: biodiversity is also among the main victims of armed conflicts — often in silent and irreversible ways.
The research presents a broad review of the impacts of war on animal species, habitats, and entire ecosystems. The scenario is alarming: from Africa to the Middle East, from tropical forests to coral reefs, the scars of war reach far beyond the trenches.
During and after conflicts, the destruction of habitats is one of the most severe outcomes. Bombings, trench digging, construction of military bases, and fires caused by incendiary weapons devastate entire ecosystems. And it doesn’t stop there: the presence of landmines and toxic waste makes it difficult for fauna to repopulate and vegetation to regrow for decades.
The study, conducted by researchers Andreia Garcês and Isabel Pires from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (Portugal), highlights, for example, the effects of the Vietnam War, when the use of chemical agents like Agent Orange led to the destruction of over 20% of southern Vietnam’s forests — directly impacting elephants, rhinos, and other endangered species.
Direct Deaths and Poaching Rise in Conflict Zones
Explosions, gunfire, and detonations kill wild animals directly and indiscriminately. During civil wars and occupations, fighters often rely on local wildlife for food, encouraging poaching and animal trafficking. The article reports that in countries like Congo, Sudan, and the Central African Republic, elephants have been hunted to finance wars through ivory sales.
Other species — such as gorillas, rhinos, and big cats — also fall prey to illegal networks that exploit weakened enforcement during wartime. The hunting of wild animals for bushmeat, common in these regions, creates severe imbalances in ecosystems.
👉 Curious about how war has shaped our planet’s biodiversity over time? Click here to explore the full timeline of war and its environmental impacts.
Noise, Displacement, and Ecological Imbalances
War also affects wildlife indirectly: the noise from explosions and frequent flyovers disorients migratory birds, disrupts mating rituals, and forces nest abandonment. Marine mammals like whales and dolphins suffer from the effects of naval sonar. The result is forced displacement of species and disruption of local food chains.
When humans flee conflict zones and settle in forested or protected areas, environmental pressures overlap, intensifying deforestation, resource consumption, and conflict with local fauna.
Pollution and Introduction of Invasive Species
The burning of fossil fuels, use of chemical weapons, and oil spills contaminate soil, water, and air. Substances such as lead, white phosphorus, industrial solvents, and even radioactive waste can linger in the environment for decades. The accidental introduction of invasive species through military transport further contributes to biodiversity degradation.
Is There Hope? Post-War Recovery Can Be an Opportunity
Despite everything, the article offers a hopeful insight: in some cases, war zones become temporary refuges for wildlife. Areas abandoned due to mines or fenced off by military barriers may function as “involuntary sanctuaries” where human presence is reduced. One example cited is the demilitarized zone between the Koreas, where endangered animal populations have thrived.
Post-conflict reconstruction, if well planned, can include habitat restoration, reforestation, species reintroduction, and the strengthening of environmental governance. International cooperation and local community engagement are key to this process.
👉 Curious about how war has shaped our planet’s biodiversity over time? Click here to explore the full timeline of war and its environmental impacts.
💬 Have you ever considered the effects of war on nature? Do you believe environmental conservation should be a priority even in conflict settings? Share your thoughts below!
Read full article on the Wild Animals website.
This research was conducted by:
Andreia Garcês, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal
Isabel Pires, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal
🌍 Timeline: War and Its Impact on Wildlife and Ecosystems
This timeline presents key moments in history where war has left a lasting impact on wildlife and ecosystems around the world. From ancient times to modern conflicts, the relationship between armed disputes and environmental degradation reveals how biodiversity often becomes an overlooked casualty of war.
🏺 Antiquity
War has existed in human history since ancient times. The negative impact of war on wildlife and ecosystems was already a topic, although likely not recognized or systematically documented as it is in modern times.
🏛️ 27 BC – 395 AD (Mediterranean Basin)
Illegal hunting of wild animals and the regional extinction of some species occurred due to conflicts in the Mediterranean Basin.
💣 1943 (World War II – Europe)
- The British “Dambusters Raid” bombed German dams (Ruhr and Eder Valleys). This caused flooding that killed about 1,600 civilians and likely had significant impacts on local biodiversity, although the main focus of sources is on human impact.
- 🌴 Midway Islands, New Mexico, and Texas (USA):
- 🐀 Black rats were introduced to the Midway Islands by US Navy ships.
- 🌿 African rue (Peganum harmala) was inadvertently introduced in New Mexico and Texas at WWII airfields.
🇻🇳 1961–present (Vietnam)
🐾 Animal mortality due to landmines remains a continuous issue in Vietnam.
🌳 1961–1969 (South Vietnam)
The use of herbicides (Agent Orange) led to the chemical defoliation of 20% of South Vietnam’s forests, the conversion of tropical forests, and the mortality of wildlife such as ungulates, rhinos, and elephants.
🐘 1972–1987 (Zimbabwe)
Decline in elephant and large ungulate populations, degradation of wildlife reserves, and wildlife trafficking occurred.
🪴 1975–2002 (Angola)
Cuban soldiers introduced the invasive plant Chromolaena odorata during the Angolan Civil War.
🦒 1977–1992 (Mozambique)
In Gorongosa National Park, there was a 90% decline in giraffe and elephant populations.
🏔️ 1979–1994 (Afghanistan)
Decimation of wild ungulate and carnivore populations occurred, along with habitat destruction.
🦣 1983–2005 (Sudan)
A decline in the elephant population occurred.
🐘 1984–1999 (Sri Lanka)
Illegal elephant hunting and disruption of their migration routes took place.
🔥 1986 (Sri Lanka)
Wilpattu National Park was destroyed.
🌋 1990–1994 (Republic of the Congo)
Illegal hunting of bonobos, gorillas, and elephants occurred, as well as wildfires in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and wildlife trafficking.
🦍 1990–1999 (Rwanda)
Gorilla mortality due to landmines, illegal hunting in Parc National des Volcans, and wildlife trafficking were reported.
🛢️ 1991 (Persian Gulf)
Oil spills, oil mist, and soot caused damage to coastal and shoreline habitats, as well as soil erosion.
🌲 1992–1994 (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Forests were degraded due to firewood extraction and the presence of bark beetles.
🌿 1996–2006 (Nepal)
Illegal hunting of wild animals, plants, and medicinal herbs occurred, along with wildlife trafficking.
🦤 1999–2000 (Iraq)
Large-scale drainage of the Tigris–Euphrates marshes took place.
🔥 2001 (Kuwait)
Oil field fires, air pollution, and terrestrial oil spills occurred.
🌊 2006 (Lebanon)
An offshore oil spill caused wildlife mortality.
🦭 2022–present (Ukraine)
Deforestation due to wildfires, wildlife deaths, dolphin mortality due to sonar, and endangered vulnerable species have been reported.
🕊️ Modern Times
The frequency of war has increased substantially in the last 50 years. The long-term consequences of war (environmental contamination, increased resource extraction, deforestation, hunting, etc.) are observed for many years after the conflicts end. Research on the true impact of war on biodiversity is limited due to poor research environments in conflict zones.
🌱 Biodiversity conservation in post-war areas involves:
- 🌳 Habitat restoration
- 🛡️ Protected area management
- 🐾 Threatened species conservation
- 👥 Community engagement
- 📜 Strengthened environmental governance
- 🌐 International cooperation
- 📈 Ongoing monitoring
