World Wildlife Conservation Day – December 4, 2022, history, significance
World Wildlife Conservation Day is on December 4 and we’re so excited to spread awareness about preserving Earth’s endangered flora and fauna. What do you think the most invasive species on Earth is? Monkeys? Catfish? Locusts? It’s us, humans. Nature’s most magnificent creatures are becoming endangered and being pushed to the brink of extinction by the greed of some humans, and this is causing irreparable harm to the wildlife ecosystem.
HISTORY OF WORLD WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY
World Wildlife Conservation Day is an occasion to be aware, reflect, and take action when it comes to issues that are threatening the planet’s wildlife biodiversity balance. Driven by the demand for illegal animal parts and products on the black market, humans have been hunting, poaching, and slaughtering several wildlife species to the brink of extinction
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Human interference in the world’s natural ecosystem has been ongoing for centuries. In the modern world, as humans traveled and settled in different parts of the world, they cleared land for farming, cut forests for shipbuilding, and began hunting and trapping for money. Over the years, wildlife hunting and poaching became more common and wildlife populations started to decline across the globe.
On November 8, 2012, Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State at that time, put out a call to action to raise awareness and engage conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts about World Wildlife Conservation Day. She also outlined the White House’s strategy to address the global problem of wildlife trafficking.
Unfortunately, even today, the illegal trade of endangered species on the black market is rising. Although governments across the world are trying their best and, in some cases, succeeding to stop this act, not all species are safe from poachers and hunters. This not only affects the wildlife but also the lives of millions of people who live within or close to forested areas in different parts of the world. So, it is time we act and work together to preserve and protect the wildlife to ensure their survival.
WORLD WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY TIMELINE
1600s
The Advent of European Settlement
The European explorers arrive in America and begin hunting wildlife for European markets.
1910s
Concern for Wildlife Populations
Hunters and conservationists form organizations to support hunting laws and wildlife restoration.
1969
Endangered Species Conservation Act
President Richard Nixon passes the Endangered Species Conservation Act, establishing protection for threatened and endangered species.
2012
A Call to Action
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton urges conservationists to raise awareness on World Wildlife Conservation Day on December 4.
HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY
Spread the word
The greatest and noblest thing you can do today is to educate those around you. Spread awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation to your friends and family.
Take a pledge
Take the wildlife pledge. Join millions of other individuals in protecting our planet’s most endangered species and acting against illegal poaching or anything that negatively impacts the wildlife
Donate to the cause
You can make a charitable donation to the World Wildlife Fund (W.W.F.). All of the donations you make go directly towards training and equipping wildlife protectors.
5 ASTONISHING FACTS ABOUT WILDLIFE THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU
The list of endangered species is disheartening
As of now, there are 41,415 species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list and 16,306 of them are extremely endangered species.
Protect the rhinos
Javan Rhinos are the most critically endangered species — only 67 of them remain!
We are the baddies
In the last 500 years, human activity has forced 869 species to extinction.
Asian countries top the list
Indonesia, China, and India are among the countries with the most threatened mammals and bird species.
The numbers are dropping
In a shocking survey, it is found that the wildlife population size dropped by 68% between 1970 and 2018.
