National Wildlife Day 2024: History, Theme, Significance

National Wildlife Day is celebrated every year on September 4. It aims to bring forward the importance of saving endangered animals on this planet and rescuing them from becoming extinct. This day also teaches the general public about the crucial role of animal sanctuaries and zoos in protecting our beloved animals and teaching children about them. Tasmanian Tiger, Passenger Pigeon, Sea Cow; are you confused about these names? Sadly, these animals are now extinct. Over the last 5 centuries, at least 900 species have become extinct. Interestingly, National Wildlife Day is celebrated on September 4 as well as February 22. In this blog, you will read about National Wildlife Day, its history, significance, theme 2024, and more.

Name of the day	National Wildlife Day
Observed on	February 22September 4
Reason	To raise awareness about the protection of endangered animals.

History Behind National Wildlife Day 

• Colleen Paige, a Pet Lifestyle Expert, and a renowned author initiated the idea of National Wildlife Day in 2005
• . Also known as an Animal Behaviorist and Philanthropist, Paige dedicated this day in honour of Wildlife Conservationist- Steve Irwin (Famed Crocodile Hunter).
• Predominantly, this initiative aims to spread awareness about the endangered species that need to be preserved globally.
• It aims to educate people, especially the youth regarding the adversities that animals are facing and how maintaining the authenticity of wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves has become the need of the hour. 

Theme 2024

Every year, a specific theme is the centrepiece of the National Wildlife Day event. A theme is used to focus conversation and conservation activities, as well as to precisely inform and raise awareness among the general public. The official sources have not released the 2024 theme for National Wildlife Day. We will update it here once the theme has been announced for the public.

“That’s what people do when they find a special place that is wild and full of life, they trample it to death.”- Carl Hiaasen

Do you want to know how you can make a Career in Wildlife Management?

What is the Significance of National Wildlife Day?

National Wildlife Day holds significance for many reasons such as:

• It highlights the immediate need to preserve wildlife and their habitats
• This day encourages individuals, governments, and organisations to take action and play their part in protecting wildlife.
• More than 99% of the 4 Billion species that ever existed on Earth have now gone extinct. This becomes a major issue to ponder upon as this may lead to disturbing our ecological balance.
• One-quarter of the world’s mammals, 1 in 6 bird species and 40% of amphibians are threatened with extinction, making a total of 35,000 species. It is heartbreaking that our future generation will never get to enjoy or know about them.

How to Celebrate National Wildlife Day?

There are many ways in which you can participate or even contribute towards the National Wildlife Day-

• Volunteer in fundraisers for rehabilitation
• Initiate your bit by cleaning any trash that you might find on your way
• Educate the tiny todds and enlighten them about the importance of it
• Visit your nearby zoos to ensure that appropriate facilities are given to the animals for healthy living 
• Volunteer for camps under the National Wildlife Foundation   
• Get information about the species that are on the verge of becoming extinct
• Make sure that your home is not a threat to the wildlife
• Promote and propagate afforestation 
• Never use toxic chemicals or pesticides
• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
• Do not buy plastic products

Also Read: World Wildlife Day 2024: Theme, History, Significance

“If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love.”- Steve Irwin

Reasons to Conserve Wildlife

It is high time that we need effective measures to be implemented to conserve wildlife. By protecting and preserving the natural habitats of animals and plants we can ensure a better lively scenario for them. Therefore, we celebrate National Wildlife Day. This day emphasizes scrutinizing and reducing human involvement to keep the authenticity of wildlife intact. 

1. Biodiversity: The end of a particular species affects the entire ecosystem as it disturbs the food chain and becomes a major threat to other species.
2. Commercial Use Sufferings: Often animals are held captive for various commercial and industrial uses that eventually cause a decline in the number of species. For example- Elephants are used for tourism in South Asia, Orangutans in Indonesia for boxing shows, etc. 
3. Enhancing the Health of the Ecosystem: Ensuring that the ecosystem is healthy and balanced. Animals help to keep the air and water clean.

Major Threats to Wildlife

As we are discussing the importance of celebrating National Wildlife Day, it is essential to understand what constitutes a threat to our wildlife. Post identifying and eradicating it, we can maintain a good ecosystem balance. Listed below are some of the major threats to wildlife-

• Natural Disturbances: Disturbances caused by forest fires, floods, earthquakes, diseases or droughts. Leading to the vanishing of the natural habitats of animals.
• Corridors and Flyways- The animals that move around the year to various places for migration such as Migrating Birds, Butterflies, Mountain Wolves etc. face difficulties in completing their natural course. They find it hard to find food, shelter and water because fences and buildings are being made. 
• Bioaccumulation– Animals absorb all the chemicals and pollution from the food and surroundings which is then consumed by other animals who are a part of the food chain. This passes on the chemicals and it eventually wipes out the entire food web.
• Phenology: The temperature of the earth is increasing every year resulting in the meltdown of glaciers. This destroys the homes of polar animals. 

Also Read: National Endangered Species Day

Unique Facts About Wildlife

• Approximately 30,000 species per year, about three per hour are being driven to extinction
• The population of wildlife throughout the world decreased in size by approximately 52% between 1970 and 2010. The human population more than doubled in size during the period
• 4% of the mammals in the world are wild animals, 36% are human beings and 60% are farm animals
• An average of 96 elephants are killed for their ivory in Africa each day
• Every year poachers take more than 38 million animals from the wilds of Brazil
• The marine vertebrate population decreased 49% (approximately) between 1970 and 2012
• Approximately 85% of the fisheries around the world that are fished commercially are at their absolute maximum or already overfished

Courses for Wildlife

Here’s a list of some of the most popular wildlife courses:

BSc in Wildlife Administration	Masters in Wildlife Protection
BSc in Wildlife Law and Conservation Management	MSc in Wildlife Conservation and Management
Bachelor’s in Plant Taxonomy	MSc in Environmental Science
B.A in Pruning Plant Management	Mtech in Wildlife Management Technology
Bachelor’s in Vertical Farming and Gardening	MSc in Environmental Management
BSc in Biology	MSc in Countryside Management
BSc in Integrative Biology	MSc in Integrated Biology
BSc in Wildlife Conservation and Management	M.A in Birdwatching
BSc in Environmental Science	Aquafarming
BTech in Wildlife Management Technology	MSc in Fisheries
Bachelor’s in Taxonomy and Wildlife	MSc in Taxonomy

Related Blogs

World Nature Conservation Day	National Bird Day
International Tiger’s Day	International Day of Forests
World Sparrow Day	Facts About Endangered Animals

FAQs

We hope that you are now familiar with the importance of National Wildlife Day. Why don’t you initiate your bit by pursuing a career in Wildlife Management? Our experts at Leverage Edu are here to guide you about this or any other field of your choice. Sign up today for a free 30-minute session with us.