Wildlife is all animals and plants that exist naturally without intervention by humans. It refers to undomesticated animal species, although the term has also come to include all organisms that grow and live wild in an area. It is important to preserve wildlife for many reasons, including the boons that it provides us with, such as food, scientific research opportunities, and esthetics. It is also essential for maintaining ecological balance and to evolve a system of co-existence with the animals and plants on this planet that are a part of it.
Wildlife species exist all over the world, and most of them are thriving. However, there are some that are on the verge of extinction. There are several factors that lead to this, such as climate change, overexploitation of resources, irregular hunting and poaching, loss of habitat, etc. The government is taking several steps to protect the wildlife creatures, and there are also various Non-Government organizations involved in it. However, all the efforts will go in vain if people do not understand the importance of wildlife.
The human population is growing faster than ever before. This rapid growth and development, along with a host of other issues such as climate change, pollution, the introduction of invasive species, overfishing, and hunting and poaching are endangering the habitats and existence of many wildlife species around the globe. The result is that there are now more wildlife creatures in danger of extinction than ever before.
Most countries of the world have various laws and regulations to protect their wildlife. These laws help in the preservation of the wildlife, but still a large number of wildlife creatures are facing a lot of challenges. Some of the major problems that are causing the deterioration of wildlife are overpopulation, land development, habitat destruction, logging, illegal trade in endangered species, and excessive use of plastics.
In order to see wildlife, we must look for the three “trifecta”: tracks, signs and scat. Tracks are usually easy to decipher, but it can be difficult to distinguish among different species. For example, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a canine (dog, wolf or coyote) and a feline (domestic cat, bobcat or mountain lion). Signs are more easily identifiable, as most are quite distinctive. Scat is the droppings of the animal, which can be a good indicator of what types of animals are in an area.
The best time to spot wildlife is at dusk and dawn, when the temperatures are cooler and the animals are most active. Many species are also nocturnal, and it is harder to see them during the day. In addition, if you want to practice your wildlife photography skills, these are the times when the light is more forgiving and produces better photos. So, be sure to bring your camera and get out there! You never know what you’ll discover. Just remember to be respectful of the wildlife and keep a safe distance.