Wildlife has an intrinsic
value and contributes to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific,
educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of sustainable
development and human well-being. It is a vitally important day because the
world’s wonderful wildlife is facing many challenges including habitat loss,
overgrazing, farming, and development. Furthermore, poaching and trafficking in
wildlife especially elephants, pangolins, rhinoceros, sharks, tigers and
precious tree species of are threats to these species as well.
A worrisome and
shocking fact is that about 100,000 elephants were estimated to be slaughtered
for their ivory between the period 2010 - 2012. Wildlife crime has wide-ranging
economic, environmental and social impacts.
Countries and individuals
alike around the globe are enthusiastically encouraged to take actions to place
greater attention on wild animals and plants from their own countries and
commit themselves to conserving these precious species and to protect them from
imminent threats as well as to protect their habitat indefinitely. It is the
responsibility of each generation to safeguard wildlife for the following
generation.
So, please, join us in this
celebration. We all have an imperative role to play to be part of the solution
to ensure that adequate wildlife conservation takes place. Together, with our
collective conservation actions, we will ensure that these wildly wonderful
wildlife will not go extinct, but, conversely, prosper. Please speak for the
voiceless. And remember,
every day should be Wildlife Day.
"On
this World Wildlife Day, I call on all citizens, businesses and governments to
play their part in protecting the world’s wild animals and plants. The actions taken by each of us will
determine the fate of the world’s wildlife.
The future of wildlife is in our hands!" - Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon
Website for WWD
2016 is: http://www.wildlifeday.org/
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