WORLD WILDLIFE DAY – MARCH 3

WORLD WILDLIFE DAY
World Wildlife Day on March 3rd annually dedicates a celebration to all life on our planet. The yearly event is regarded as the most important, raising awareness about threatened and endangered plants and animals. As a planet, we currently face the issue of overexploiting our marine species. Through global mass consumption, human impact has not only generated pollution and destroyed coastal habitats but causes irreversible damage.

Threatened species – any species of plant or animal that are on the brink of being endangered
Endangered species – any species of plant or animal that is in danger of extinction
Extinct Species (in the wild) – plants and animals that no longer survive in the wild.
Extinct Species – plant and animal species that have died out
Many extinct species in the wild may live in zoos, botanical gardens, or even in our own back yards. Two extinct species in the wild that survive elsewhere include the blue-tailed skink and the rhododendron kanehirai. Another currently survives because of its popularity. The butterfly splitfin, While the butterfly splitfin is formally listed as extinct in the wild, a small population still exists in Mexico. Also known as butterfly goodeids (Ameca splendens), the live-bearing fish currently maintain their population in habitats in home aquariums.

Causes of Extinction
While extinction naturally occurs on Earth, humans involvement accelerates extinction rates. Some of the causes of extinction include:

habitat loss – over development, expansion of urban areas and deforestation contribute to this cause
climate change – over-reliance on fossil fuels, deforestation, and other factors contribute to this cause
invasive species – plants, animals, and organisms introduced to a non-native habitat that alter or destroy biodiversity and ultimately lead to the extinction of many species
overfishing and hunting – the demand for more food or materials by a population than an ecosystem can sustain
World Wildlife Day creates opportunities to highlight the solutions we’ve built for a more sustainable future. It’s also our chance to focus on the accomplishments of countless individuals who devote their lives bringing our vision of a healthy planet to fruition.

HOW TO CELEBRATE #WorldWildlifeDay
Celebrating World Wildlife Day is easy. There are several ways to participate. No matter how you take part, invite someone to join you in the experience.