Wild animals, plants and their habitats are all a part of nature. They live naturally without any human interference and do not live in captivity or in zoos. Animals that are considered wildlife include tigers, bears, elephants, lions and hyenas.
Conservation is the act of protecting wild species and their habitats from extinction. Many governments, non-government organizations and individuals work together to protect the habitats of wild animals around the world.
The first step in wildlife conservation is to educate people about the value of animals and their habitats. Then, people can make informed decisions about what they buy, how they use their resources, and whether their activities harm wildlife or the environment.
Buying products that don’t harm or abuse wild species and their habitats can help protect wildlife, especially the ones that are endangered. Choose products that are energy efficient, made from sustainable sources, and sustainably packaged. Avoid products that are a threat to wild animals and their habitats, including gas-guzzling vehicles, disposable plastics and plastic microbeads, paper products not grown with recycled paper or pesticide-free plants, and products that test on animals or that contain animal parts or derivatives.
Hunting and trade in wildlife are also threats to many species. Illegal hunting and trade in some areas can cause animals to go extinct, or to be bred into unsuitable or unwanted forms.
There are dozens of federal and state laws that regulate how animals can be possessed, transported or sold. These laws are designed to reduce the number of animals that are killed by humans or to fund conservation programs.
Laws often include penalties for illegally obtaining or selling wildlife, such as fines and confiscation of property used to transport the animal. These laws are vital to preventing the extinction of many endangered species.
In the past, hunting and fishing were the primary ways that wild animals were captured or taken from the wild. Today, hunters and fishers use technology to help capture and track animals so that they can be released into the wild safely.
As a result, the number of wild animals on Earth has decreased. In fact, there are over a million species of plants and animals that are currently facing extinction.
The accelerating global biodiversity crisis threatens all the benefits that wildlife provides to people, such as food, materials, energy, medicine, recreation and inspiration. It also poses a serious risk to life and livelihood for many of the poorest people on earth.
One of the greatest issues affecting wildlife is deforestation, which is caused by overhunting and pollution. When a forest is cleared, wildlife can lose its natural habitat and become more vulnerable to the elements.
Another major threat to wildlife is global warming, which is causing ocean temperatures to rise. This heat is threatening the lives of a wide range of marine animals, from seabirds to seals.
The loss of wildlife and their habitats is a huge concern to scientists and environmentalists worldwide. There are countless causes of wildlife decline, but some of the biggest ones include overhunting, pollution, and climate change.