What do the orangutans of Borneo, the elephants of Sumatra, and the Black Rhino all have in common? Aside from all being totally cool animals that we watch on YouTube, the more sobering truth about these creatures is that they’re all critically endangered species. But on World Wildlife Day, the UN and its partners are planning to raise awareness of the gravity of this dire situation.

Why is World Wildlife Day important?

An animal is only placed on the critically endangered species list if the International Union for Conservation of Nature believes the animal faces a very high risk for extinction – extinction as in going the way of the dinosaurs and dodo. So what does critically endangered look like? Current estimates put the number of living Black Rhinos at around 2,500 in the entire world. Russia’s Amur Leopard, found in the far eastern recesses of the country, is on the verge of extinction, with only about 40 left in the world. Unfortunately, this list goes on and on.

How to observe World Wildlife Day

Tip:

Here you can find posters and other outreach material to help you spread the word and start a conversation in social media #WorldWildlifeDay #WWD2021 #ForestPeoplePlanet

• Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
• Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – CITES
• United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP
• Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity – CBD
• Rio+20, United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
• World Wildlife Day website

Reference Sites

• UN and other international NGO
• Non-Profits website for the observance