Wildlife Day

3 March is the worldwide observance of World Wildlife Day (WWF). This date was proclaimed by the United Nations to celebrate all the world's wild animals and plants, and the contribution they make to our lives and the health of the planet. 

This year it will have a technology-oriented theme, as the main motto is: "Connecting people to the planet: Exploring digital innovation for wildlife conservation".

What is wildlife?

The term "wildlife" refers to all non-domesticated living beings living in natural environments, where there is no human intervention. 

These living organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, etc. are of great importance in maintaining an ecological balance and ensuring a sustainable environment for all forms of life.

Why was 3 March set as wildlife day?

Since 20 December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has proclaimed World Wildlife Day, as it was on 3 March 1973 that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed. This convention is an international cooperative agreement between governments of different countries to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of wild animals and plants. It currently has 183 voluntary memberships and provides protection for more than 37,000 species of animals and plants. Alongside it, UN agencies, the private sector, philanthropic organisations and NGOs must continue to work towards this goal of ending illegal trade and wildlife depletion.

What is the importance of preserving wildlife? 

The value of wildlife is incalculable, as millions of people benefit daily from the use of wild species for food, energy, materials, medicine, recreation, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being.

The biodiversity that constitutes the wild flora and fauna is essential for life on the planet.especially for agriculture because it provides genetic resources (seeds, animal breeds) and key ecosystem services.

Each species is extremely important in the natural environment where it lives, either to provide food for other animals or to control pests; they prevent the proliferation of organisms such as fungi, bacteria, plants or animals that can cause problems in the environment.

What are the main threats to wildlife?

The conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is one of the most important challenges facing the world today. 

important issues facing humanity in these times. There are currently more than one million species of plants and animals at risk of extinction and many more threatened due to different factors, mostly related to human activity and climate change.

Some of the threats to the planet's wildlife include the following:

• Degradation, fragmentation and destruction of wildlife habitats.
• Sport hunting.
• Indiscriminate fishing.
• Species trafficking.
• Climate change.
• Greenhouse gas emissions.
• Overexploitation of natural resources.
• Indiscriminate logging.
• The disappearance of ecosystems.
• Forest and natural environment fires.
• Use of agricultural chemicals such as fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides.
• Proliferation of invasive species in habitats other than their original geographical distribution.

What can we reflect on this year's theme: Connecting people to the planet: Exploring digital innovation for wildlife conservation?

World Wildlife Day 2024 invites us as a global community to explore digital innovation and new technologies that can deliver conservation services for wildlife and their coexistence with humans, both now and for future generations in an increasingly connected world. Currently 66% of the world's population has access to the Internet, leaving around 2.7 billion people who are not yet online; the digital divide is narrowing.

This Day is an opportunity to celebrate the beauty and variety of wild flora and fauna, to raise awareness of the many benefits they provide, and to urgently combat environmental crime and the decline of species caused by human activity, which have far-reaching negative economic, environmental and social consequences. At Asoprovida, we believe that putting technology at the service of nature represents a great challenge, but one that is worth facing.

Ing.Agr. Porporato Andrea