World Wildlife Day is an annual holiday celebrated on March 3rd. It is dedicated to the celebration of all forms of wildlife. It also celebrates how plants and animals benefit people, and to help spread awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation. The theme for World Wildlife Day 2024 was announced as “Connecting People and the Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.”
The holiday was proclaimed by the United States National Assembly on December 20th, 2023 in a move to raise awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation. This was the date that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, which has helped ensure endangered species are better protected, was adopted in 1973.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in a report from 2022, wildlife populations have decreased by 69% since 1970. It was also reported that freshwater populations have decreased by 83%. This is largely because of climate change, habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and other problems, most of which are caused by humans. This affects humans as a whole because wildlife is vital for the continuation of humanity’s survival on this planet. Animals, plants, and their byproducts are what keeps the Earth clean, feeds humanity, and keeps humanity alive in a multitude of ways.
For those who want to help the WWF, but are unsure of where to start, one of the first things to do is to research. Education and knowledge is a pivotal factor in supporting any cause. Some helpful websites to start with might be the World Wildlife Fund or the Wildlife Conservation Society. Another step in being a voice for wildlife is writing to state officials and encouraging them to support policies that protect wildlife.
As we approach World Wildlife Day, it is a time to think about animals, how they affect people, and what people can do to help.
