The United Nations is highlighting the intrinsic values and contributions of wild animals and plants, particularly endangered and protected species, by devoting 3 of March as ‘World Wildlife Day.’
World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful
and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the
multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. At the same
time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against
wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and
social impacts.
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. For these reasons, all member States, the United Nations
system and other international organizations, as well as civil society,
non-governmental organizations and individuals, are invited to observe
and to get involved in this global celebration of wildlife.
The secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in collaboration
with other relevant United Nations organizations, facilitates the
implementation of World Wildlife Day.
