3 reasons to celebrate World Wildlife Day

THIS Sunday, 3 March is the United Nations’ World Wildlife Day (WWD), themed ‘Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation’.

Social media channels have actually brought people closer to wildlife across the globe, encouraging collaborative conservation efforts that are making a real change.

Every positive action counts, which is why World Wildlife Day is an opportunity for you to do something great! Here’s why.

1. Healthy wildlife supports biodiversity
From pollination to seed dispersal, wildlife is invaluable in creating a natural balance in the ecosystem. Biodiversity is key to functioning ecosystems which provide us with clean air, water, and soil for food.

2. Many animals risk extinction
Habit destruction through deforestation and urbanisation, plastic pollution, as well as over-exploitation of natural resources, and climate change, have created a global extinction crisis. Many wildlife are facing this risks, including elephants, rhinos, gorillas, and sea turtles. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), approximately one-quarter of all species on Earth are threatened with extinction.

Endangered species are at risk of extinction, divided into 8 categories:

· Least concern
· Near threatened
· Vulnerable
· Endangered
· Critically endangered
· Extinct in the wild
· Extinct
· Data deficient

3. Wildlife make the planet healthy
Wildlife and their habitats form an important part of the Earth’s ecosystem and are inherently beneficial to humans. Wetlands, for example, protect us from coastal storms and erosion, while rainforests and oceans provide us with clean air.

Tips for celebrating World Wildlife Day

Without wildlife, there is no planet, but if we all do something positive this World Wildlife Day, we can protect our valuable wildlife.

– Choose sustainability: Stop using single-use plastic, recycle where you can, and support sustainable brands that care for the environment and its inhabitants.
– Organise a clean-up: Join or organise a local beach, river, or park clean-up, getting rid of litter that would eventually end up choking marine life.
– Speak up: Educate people about the importance of wildlife through whatever means necessary.
– Support conservation: Donate money or your time to wildlife conservation efforts. All and any help is welcome!
– Find local wildlife: You don’t have to head to the nearest game reserve to interact with South Africa’s wildlife. A walk in your garden, along the beachfront, or in a nearby forest will open you to a whole new world – you just have to look.
– Cut carbon emissions: You can help wildlife by cutting down carbon emissions which contribute to global warming and habitat loss. Walk, don’t drive and support companies that consider their carbon footprint.

To find out more, visit www.wildlifeday.org

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