Wildlife Conservation Day
Introduction
“Wildlife cannot be manufactured. And once it’s gone, it cannot be replenished. Those who profit from it illegally are not just undermining our borders and our economies, they are truly stealing from the next generation.”
- Hillary Clinton, 2012.
Wildlife Conservation Day is celebrated each year on December 4th in order to raise awareness on preserving and protecting the wildlife and the habitat. This day was aimed to put an end to wildlife crime and to support the Endangered Species Act of the U.S.
Background
The day is designed to stop wildlife crime and to support the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Wildlife crime includes illegal poaching and smuggling of animals and transporting a specific animal product, for example, the traffic and sales of rhino horns and elephant tusks. Wildlife crime is one of the major threats causing the risk for the endangered animal. Endangered species such as elephants, rhinos, tigers, sea turtles, lemurs, and gorillas, are becoming extinct because of poaching.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into law in 1973, which helps to protect endangered plants and animals and is implemented by the lead federal agencies: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
History
In the 1900s, the bison and the passenger pigeon introduced the public to the concept of extinction and then the conversation on wildlife conservation started. The former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton created Wildlife Conservation Day in 2012, during the “Wildlife Trafficking and Conservation: A Call to Action” event held at the State Department on November 8th. She created this day in order to raise awareness and engage conservationists and outlined the White House’s strategy to address the global problem of wildlife trafficking.
How to celebrate
It is important for the public to raise awareness and help the conservation and protection of wildlife species. There are lots of events such as educational seminars and exhibits, held by conservation groups, zoos and aquariums, and wildlife organizations for education to the public, ending wildlife crime, and saving endangered species.
You can follow these steps to stop wildlife crimes:
Find the local or online sources, get the knowledge, and share it with your family and friends;
Find your local organizations, participate in the events and support their work;
Use sustainable and environmentally-friendly products and don't buy wildlife products; and
Share our post and post your own on social media with the hashtag #WildlifeConservationDay.