Wildlife is all living organisms (including animals, plants, fungus and microorganisms) that are naturally occurring in an environment without direct human influence. The term is often used to describe non-domesticated animal species, but it also applies to wild plant and animal communities and habitats. Wildlife includes everything from the giant elephant to the tiny flea that lives on your dog.
Wildlife plays a vital role in the balance of nature and provides boons for people, including food, scientific research opportunities, entertainment, and esthetics. Whether they live in forests, deserts, grasslands, wetlands, or under the sea, wildlife is vital to our world and contributes to biodiversity.
Traditionally, the term “wildlife” referred to undomesticated animal species, but more recently, it has been expanded to include all wild animals, regardless of how they became wild. This broad definition has contributed to a growing awareness of the importance of all living things, and it’s a major reason why wildlife conservation is so important.
People’s actions can have a dramatic impact on wildlife, both good and bad. Wildlife can be threatened for a variety of reasons, including pollution, landslides and other natural disasters, loss of habitat and overhunting or poaching. Thankfully, people are becoming more aware of the positive impact that wildlife can have on our planet and are working to protect it from threats.
The most basic way to help save wildlife is to ensure that the animals have enough space in which to thrive. This means preserving rivers, wetlands, forests and prairies, as well as protecting the corridors that connect them. These corridors are where wildlife finds the food, shelter and water that it needs to survive.
It is easiest to spot wildlife at dusk and dawn, when animals are most active. Animals are also easier to see in open areas like meadows, roadsides and shorelines. These transitional areas provide access to food, water and shelter, and they offer a view of other animals’ behavior.
When watching wildlife, remember that it is best to stay at a safe distance so that the animals aren’t disturbed. It is also important not to feed wildlife, since it can cause them to become habituated and aggressive towards humans. This is why it’s illegal to feed bears and other species in many states.
People can also help by reducing their energy consumption, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants that harm wildlife. They can also buy food grown organically, which supports farmers whose land is more wildlife friendly, and avoid products with disposable plastic packaging, as many wild animals have been killed by swallowing or getting caught in plastic six-pack holders and the like. And they can choose to ski or canoe instead of using motorized vehicles in wilderness areas during winter, when loud noises disturb animals that need to rest and conserve energy. Finally, they can participate in their local land-use planning processes to make sure that wildlife habitat is protected. This is an essential step in ensuring that our planet’s wildlife will be here for future generations to enjoy.