Wildlife Conservation Day is a global event celebrated on December 4th each year to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the world’s animals and natural habitats. It’s a day to reflect on how human actions affect wildlife and encourage people to take steps to preserve endangered species and fragile ecosystems.
As the most invasive species on Earth, humans have poached and hunted animals on both land and sea to extinction, and this has been going on for centuries. In the modern world as humans travelled and settled in different parts of the world, they cut down forests to build ships and homes and cleared land for farming.
There are, upsettingly, far too many species to mention on the endangered/critically endangered list. However, I thought that it was important to mention below the 15 most endangered ocean animals according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- North Atlantic right whales – around 350 remaining, only about 70 of which are breeding age females.
- Vaquitas – small porpoises found in the Gulf of California in Mexico. There are only 18 remaining vaquitas in the ocean.
- Stingrays – particularly the shorttail whipray, smalltooth and wingfin stingway.
- Great hammerhead sharks – are threatened by the global commercial shark fin trade.
- Hawaiian monk seals – there are only about 632 monk seals remaining in the ocean.
- Atlantic humpback dolphins – there are only 1,500 remaining.
- Sea turtles – the hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley turtles being critically endangered.
- Black abalones – these are large sea snails and due to overfishing, landslides, loss of kelp and pollution, they are now on the critically endangered list.
- European eels – are now one of the most poached species in the world.
- Sand tiger sharks – are critically endangered due to targeted fishing and bycatch and are valued for their meat and fins.
- Angelsharks – There are 26 species of angelsharks, eight of which are classified as critically endangered.
- Sunflower sea stars – one of the biggest threats is a disease called sea star wasting syndrome and because of this they have experienced a 100% decline in Oregon and California, 99.2% decline in Washington and a 90% total decline.
- Albatrosses – there are 22 species of albatross, two of which are critically endangered. These being the Tristen and the waved albatross.
- Giant sea bass.
- Nassau groupers – were once the most abundant and easy to catch fish in the US. However, the population quickly became depleted. Experiencing an over 59% decline in coral cover in the Caribbean.
Individually, we can feel helpless when we look at our natural world and overwhelmed as what to do to make a positive change. However, small individual steps forward, collectively, can make a huge difference
Key themes and goals of world wildlife conservation day:
- Promote sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.
- Combat the illegal wildlife trade, including ivory, exotic pets and animal parts.
- Protect habitats through reforestation and conservation projects.
- Encourage community involvement in conservation initiatives.
- Educate younger generations about the importance of biodiversity.
This special day highlights the vital role wildlife plays in maintaining the balance of nature and sustaining life on Earth. It reminds us of the urgent need to protect endangered species and preserve their habitats. Wildlife conservation is essential not only for ecological balance but also for human survival, as healthy ecosystems provide clean air, water and food. This day encourages individuals, communities and governments to work together to protect wildlife and ensure a sustainable future for all living beings.
