Wildlife includes all living creatures, including birds and mammals, that are adapted to a particular habitat without being domesticated. The term was first used to refer to undomesticated animals, but has now expanded to encompass all organisms that exist in the wild in an area free of human intervention. Deserts, woods, rainforests, plains, and other areas, including the most developed urban ones, all contain different forms of wildlife.
Many wild species are threatened by human activity, such as deforestation, hunting, and pollution. Others are endangered or extinct due to global climate change, invasive species, or other factors.
People can help protect wildlife through a variety of ways. Among these are conservation efforts, community gardening programs, wildlife-friendly landscape design, and the protection of natural areas.
1. Use wild plants and flowers in your garden, landscaping, or yard to provide a natural food source and shelter for wildlife.
Birds, insects, and frogs will appreciate the addition of native plants to your home’s landscape. These species can also help reduce the impact of pesticides on wildlife and companion animals.
2. Avoid using pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers on your lawn or garden beds. These chemicals are the most common cause of wildlife poisonings, and are harmful to a wide range of plant and animal species.
3. Replace part of your lawn with garden beds or other native plants and flowers, which provide more food for wildlife.
Some animals, such as bats and birds, can benefit from the addition of a natural pond or other water feature to your landscape. This is especially important if you live in an area with drought or flooding conditions.
4. Create habitat for wildlife through the protection of natural areas, such as parks and sanctuaries.
National and international governments along with non-government organizations have restlessly devoted their resources to conserve wildlife through various means such as conservation, habitat protection, and habitat restoration. The conservation of wildlife is a vital part of maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance in the world.
5. Keep an eye on wildlife in your local area by monitoring wildlife populations and identifying potential threats to animals.
The federal government has several agencies that oversee the protection of wild animals and plants, as well as regulating the trade of protected plants and animals. These agencies work with a variety of private, nonprofit groups to prevent the extinction of native species and control wild animal population growth.
6. Be aware of invasive species, which can take over an ecosystem by spreading to new habitats from a previously uninhabited region.
A variety of species, from mice to dandelions, have become invasive in different parts of the world, threatening native plant and animal communities. These exotics often resemble their native ancestors but are not genetically matched to the new environment.
7. Protect wildlife in your local area by supporting conservation efforts and preserving natural areas.
Conservation efforts can include planting and maintaining gardens, building wildlife-friendly landscapes, protecting natural areas, and educating about wild animals. It can also include donating money or time to charitable organizations that work on wild-animal issues.