World Wildlife Day - March 03, 2025

What is World Wildlife Day?

World Wildlife Day is a way to appreciate the diversified and distinctive types of flora and fauna as well as to spread awareness of the many advantages their conservation offers to people.

On March 3, we have the chance to celebrate the incredible biodiversity that our world is home to and draw attention to the issues endangering the delicate balance that supports all life.

Every year, people worldwide come together to commemorate World Wildlife Day by highlighting a particular wildlife issue that needs to be addressed. The theme of World Wildlife Day 2022 is "Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration."

World Wildlife Day All Quick Overview

• Time / Date: March 3
• Category: Animal
• Where It's Marked: Globally
• Why It's Marked: The United Nations commemorates it to increase awareness of threatened and endangered species worldwide.

 The History Of World Wildlife Day

The first UN World Wildlife Day was established on March 3, 1973. It started with the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to honor and promote the protection of all wild animals and plants around the world. 

If we look at the history closely, the timeline is somewhat of this kind: 

1. In the US, the first wildlife conservation act was passed in 1900.  
2. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature was founded in 1948. Its goal was to promote collaboration and resource sharing in the conservation field. The first conservation project received international backing from governments and social organizations.
3. The World Wildlife Fund was founded in 1961. Over the subsequent years, the WWF's activities widened in scope in response to escalating environmental problems. 
4. The CITES was established in 1973.
5. The declaration to celebrate World Wildlife Day was made on December 20, 2013, during the 68th session of the UNGA. So far, World Wildlife Day has taken the top spot among annual wildlife-related events held worldwide.

CITES aims to control the trade in species and stop over-exploitation of them. It is an international agreement between states. Approximately 30,000 plant species and 5,800 animal species are now safeguarded under CITES, including two of the six species of sloths!

How to Celebrate World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day provides a convenient opportunity to think about the creatures and plants with which humans coexist in the world and to take various actions to help them.

The United Nations celebrate the day with complete festivity. For instance, World Wildlife Day was observed globally on March 3, 2022, with a high-level online event, a film exhibition presented by Jackson Wild and UNDP, and a global youth art competition held by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

There is no fixed and rigid traditional way to celebrate the day. People usually celebrate the day by spending the day in nature and appreciating the wildlife around them. Some of the familiar activities you can take part in,

1. Visiting Local Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Going to a local zoo or botanical garden immediately comes to mind whenever the topic of celebrating World Wildlife Day comes up.

If you have kids, taking them outside and introducing them to animals is a great way to get them interested in learning about the incredible diversity of life on Earth. If you're feeling extra daring, going on a walk while carrying a book about the local flora and fauna might help bring that connection closer to home!

2. Learn about the History and Significance of the Day

Knowing the day's history and significance is a terrific way to become engaged in celebrating the day.

To find out more about them, browse the web. Additionally, various helpful resources are available on the website, such as posters, pictures, and descriptions of multiple species. 

Include the hashtags in any promotional materials you make for the event and use them on social media. You can participate in contests, interact with people and politicians, and express your gratitude to those who work every day to save wildlife. 

3. Raising Awareness about Wildlife

Spreading awareness of the value of our animals might also take up your entire day. What better way to appreciate the things that make up our planet if you care about them than to inspire others to do the same? 

You can contribute to wildlife by creating educational materials, organizing an event, or soliciting sponsorship. Pick a subject that matters to you. It can be a regional or global wildlife issue to which you want to draw the attention of the rest of the world.

Share the message, especially with children and young people. They deserve a future in which people coexist peacefully with the animals that inhabit the same planet as us since they are the future leaders of wildlife protection.

Countries that Observe World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day is celebrated annually by organizing various activities around the globe. They want to make people more aware of the worth and beauty of nature and look for ways to preserve and conserve it while also increasing public awareness of these things.

Interesting Facts About World Wildlife Day

The purpose of celebrating World Wildlife Day is to increase public awareness of problems affecting wildlife. The goal is to encourage sustainable human survival strategies that don't harm animal species' natural habitats. 

So it is understandable that World Wildlife Day is mostly about nature and the inhibition of the nature around us. This World Wildlife Day, let's learn some interesting facts about nature and animals!

• Though there has been a focus on wildlife for more than 70 years, World Wildlife Day is a relatively new holiday established by the UN in 2013.
• Take a breath; thank a whale! Because, in the battle against climate change, whales are assisting! According to scientists, one whale can store more CO2 than 1,000 plants in its lifetime. In addition, phytoplankton, which holds enormous amounts of carbon, is supported by whales.
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Threatened Species classifies about 8,400 species as highly endangered. Approximately 30,000 are threatened or endangered.
• On Earth, ants number more than ten quadrillions. An average of 1.5 million ants live on Earth for every human being!
• Modern farmers are using ducks instead of pesticides! Ducks are a natural pest management method in various nations, including France and Japan.
• According to a study conducted in Kenya, elephants develop a particularly low rumble when evading humans. According to a survey conducted in Kenya!

Unique World Wildlife Day Celebration Ideas

You might wonder what you will accomplish on World Wildlife Day to improve the world. If you cannot stop climate change, animal poaching, or forest fires, how could you bring any difference?

Do not worry because every little thing matters. On a small scale, you could 

• avoid single-use plastic
• choose the vegan option for dinner 
• switch to plant-based products
• leave the car at home
• turn off the water while you brush your teeth
• skip having that extra coffee once a week. Instead, plant a tree for a sloth with the money you'd have spent on it!

Now, think of the bigger picture. If small steps can bring significant changes, significant steps can bring remarkable outcomes. So,

• Participate in neighborhood events and learn more about the local fauna.
• Write to your government and sign petitions.
• Support local or worldwide organizations that safeguard wildlife by giving your time or money.
• Share videos, pictures, and articles related to wildlife on your social media platforms and engage as many people as you can in the cause. 

Just remember, no matter what, you won't be acting alone. Millions of people will participate in the celebrations. They will fight for a brighter future for the Earth from all corners to achieve the goal.

World Wildlife Day Quotes

"Let us remind ourselves of our duty to preserve and sustainably use the wide variety of life on the planet. Let us push for a more caring, thoughtful, and sustainable relationship with nature."- Antonio Guterres.

"The natural habitats of millions of species are being destroyed due to our excessive tree-cutting, land clearing, and road construction, endangering the entire planet's biodiversity."

"The nation's true richness is found in the Earth's resources, including the soil, water, forests, minerals, and wildlife."

 FAQ

1. When is World Wildlife Week?

World Wildlife Week is celebrated on the first week of October.

2. Does the theme of World Wildlife Day change every year?

Yes, the theme is picked yearly to address an alarming issue for wildlife.

3. Why is the WWF important?

WWF ensures the conservation of natural resources. WWF's mission is to save endangered species and restore their habitats worldwide. The organisation opts for bringing changes via the promotion of conservation-minded markets, policies, and practices. The organization also works to raise awareness in root-level communities.