5 Ways to Help Animal Wildlife : A Group Effort
Planet Earth is known as the Goldilock planet where all factors are perfect for sustaining life, but what happens when that balance starts to fall apart? According to the World Wildlife Fund, in the year 2020, “global populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish have suffered an average ⅔ decline in less than half a century” (WWF, 2020). On average, 68% since 1970 of wildlife have been lost. Furthermore, James Watson, a WCS scientist, explains how 3/4 of the planet has been altered from data and map research. Humanity relies on the natural world for everything, from the air we breath, to the water we drink, to the food we eat, we depend on it for our survival, but “we take from it faster than it can recover” (WWF, 2020). We share the planet with millions of animals and each one plays a role to keep the balance of our ecosystems unabating. The disrespect and contempt humanity treats animals is appalling and it is not acceptable. Animals do so much for the planet and for humanity, yet they suffer because of us. Although these numbers are staggering, one might wonder what an ordinary civilian can do to help? Individuals are a lot more powerful than they think and can make a difference. Here are 5 ways anyone can help support animal wildlife.
1. Aquariums, Zoos and Rehab Centres
Contrary to many beliefs, many aquariums and zoos are very important and are one way someone can help animal wildlife. By visiting these institutions, they are able to rescue animals, care for, and rehabilitate them through visitor support. Let’s say someone encounters a dolphin washed up on shore, who are the first people they call? Perhaps the vet? Although veterinarians are trained professionals when dealing with animals, they do not tend to care for wild animals. This is where they call the aquarium where trained staff members have the skills and knowledge for marine wildlife. In addition to visitor financial support, each individual that visits an animal institution is brought to the other side of the world, the natural side. By bringing out this curiosity, guests are educating themselves about wildlife. A study showed that “there was an increase from pre-visit (69.8%) to post-visit(75.1%) in respondents demonstrating… evidence of biodiversity understanding” (LiveScience, 2014). By supporting local aquariums, zoos, and rehab centres, you are supporting the animals.
2. Become a Citizen Scientist
National Geographic’s definition of citizen science is “the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge. Through citizen science, people share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programs” (National Geographic, 2022). Volunteering to do research on wildlife with the support of local scientists is a great way to get involved. It is an open and available way for people of all ages to participate in. No matter how old you are or the current knowledge you have right now about animals, it doesn’t matter as long as you find passion in doing research. Not only is this benefitting for individuals, it helps scientists when they conduct their research. The minds of each person works differently which allows them to get a fresh, new perspective and make new discoveries, plus it’s fun! Not only does this allow civilians to get involved with nature, this gives opportunity to delve deeper into one's passions and equally help support local animals.
3. Animal Cruelty Free Products
One of the most harmful events animals go through is lab testing. Animal testing is performed for the purpose of research, for instance, if a product will be safe for humans such as cosmetics, medical research, food additives, and so much more. According to the Human Society International, “it is estimated that more than 115 million animals worldwide are used in laboratory experiments every year” (Humane Society International, 2012). These tests involve physical pain and psychological suffering that often leads them to death. The next time it is time to go shopping, consumers must be aware of products that do not specify if they conduct lab testing on animals. Instead, look for labels on items that specify being cruelty free. By boycotting companies, this will hopefully encourage or force them into changing their ways. Ultimately, do not support companies that test on animals.
4. Restoration and Gardening
As humanity continues to increase in numbers, so does the land needed to support all these people except this land is also home to thousands of animals. Studies have shown that “the clearing of land for farming, grazing, mining, drilling, and urbanisation impacts the 80% of global species who call the forest home” (National Geographic, 2019). The effects of habitat loss are often not thought of, but the consequences can be quite severe. When there is a loss of habitat, there is a loss of biodiversity which is where we also see a decline in pest and disease control as well as pollination and seed dispersal. Because there is a lack of biodiversity, pests will target a specific plant, additionally, pollinators are lost therefore pollination for agriculture and wild plants are reduced. To help solve this problem, restoration and gardening is the answer. Plant trees in the local area as well as other locally grown plants. This ensures that biodiversity thrives as well as the habitat is kept alive.
5. Join and Donate
The easiest way to support animal wildlife is to get involved whether that be solo educating yourself by watching documentaries or by staying updated with events harming animals. There exists a plethora of ways to join the fight to save wild animals. Many organisations such as the Humane Society and the World Wildlife Fund provide petitions as well as other ways to support from the outside. A step even further would be to donate or adopt an animal. Within these organisations, anyone can donate or adopt a wild animal. When you adopt an animal, you support the efforts of the organisation to help protect their habitat and their species. It is one way to help some of your favourite animals. All in all, getting involved is one of the most efficient and effective ways to show support in the conservation of animal wildlife.
These 5 points are ways anyone can help support animal wildlife. Through the support of various institutions and organisations, to one’s own mindfulness of consuming products, each aspect helps protect animals for the future. Animals are one of the key factors for the balance on our planet which is exactly why we as humans must rectify our mistakes for the sake of planet Earth.
Suggested for Further Reading
Sources
AARP. “Protecting Wildlife.” Create the Good, 2022, https://createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-ideas/protect-wildlife.html Accessed 16 June 2022
AAT. “Top-seven benefits of public aquariums.” Advanced Aquarium Technologies, 22 August 2020, https://www.advanced-aquariums.com/newsfeed/top-seven-benefits-of-public-aquariums/ Accessed 16 June 2022.
Anishnabeg Outreach. “Donations – Anishnabeg Outreach.” Anishnabeg Outreach, 2021, https://aocan.org/home/donations/ Accessed 17 June 2022.
Bekoff, Marc. “Do Zoos Really Teach Visitors Anything? (Op-Ed).” Live Science, 10 March 2014, https://www.livescience.com/44006-do-zoos-teach.html Accessed 16 June 2022.
Bra, Kaitlyn. “Does planting trees actually fight climate change?” Sustainable Travel International, 16 September 2021, https://sustainabletravel.org/does-planting-trees-fight-climate-change/ Accessed 17 June 2022.
Bruxo, Michael. “Birdwatchers to descend on Sagres again in October.” Portugal Resident, 9 March 2020, https://www.portugalresident.com/birdwatchers-to-descend-on-sagres-again-in-october/ Accessed 17 June 2022.
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE. “Wildlife Preservation Can Get Help from Artificial Intelligence and Big Data.” Lab Manager, 9 February 2022, https://www.labmanager.com/news/wildlife-preservation-can-get-help-from-artificial-intelligence-and-big-data-27537 Accessed 17 June 2022.
Haalland, Deb. “What You Can Do for Wildlife.” Animal Welfare Institute, 2022, https://awionline.org/content/what-you-can-do-wildlife Accessed 16 June 2022.
Hotel La Manufacture. “THE AQUARIUM OF PARIS.” Hotel La Manufacture, 2022, https://www.hotel-la-manufacture.com/en/actuality/the-aquarium-of-paris.2210.html Accessed 17 June 2022.
Humane Society International. “About Animal Testing.” Humane Society International, 21 October 2012, https://www.hsi.org/news-media/about/ Accessed 16 June 2022.
Peaches and Blush. “Fenty Beauty by Rihanna : Mini Review.” Peachesandblush, 15 October 2017, http://www.peachesandblush.com/2017/10/fenty-beauty-rihanna-mini-review.html Accessed 17 June 2022.
Ritchie, Hannah, et al. “Biodiversity and Wildlife.” Our World in Data, 2022, https://ourworldindata.org/biodiversity-and-wildlife Accessed 16 June 2022.
ShareAmerica. “Top 10 ways to save wildlife.” ShareAmerica, 2 March 2017, https://share.america.gov/top-10-ways-save-wildlife/ Accessed 16 June 2022.
Wildlife Conservation Society. “Science is core to saving wildlife.” ScienceDaily, 20 April 2017, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170420093732.htm Accessed 17 June 2022.
WWF. “FAQs.” WWF-Canada, 2022, https://shop.wwf.ca/pages/faqs Accessed 16 June 2022.
AAT. “Top-seven benefits of public aquariums.” Advanced Aquarium Technologies, 22 August 2020, https://www.advanced-aquariums.com/newsfeed/top-seven-benefits-of-public-aquariums/ Accessed 16 June 2022.
Anishnabeg Outreach. “Donations – Anishnabeg Outreach.” Anishnabeg Outreach, 2021, https://aocan.org/home/donations/ Accessed 17 June 2022.
Bekoff, Marc. “Do Zoos Really Teach Visitors Anything? (Op-Ed).” Live Science, 10 March 2014, https://www.livescience.com/44006-do-zoos-teach.html Accessed 16 June 2022.
Bra, Kaitlyn. “Does planting trees actually fight climate change?” Sustainable Travel International, 16 September 2021, https://sustainabletravel.org/does-planting-trees-fight-climate-change/ Accessed 17 June 2022.
Bruxo, Michael. “Birdwatchers to descend on Sagres again in October.” Portugal Resident, 9 March 2020, https://www.portugalresident.com/birdwatchers-to-descend-on-sagres-again-in-october/ Accessed 17 June 2022.
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE. “Wildlife Preservation Can Get Help from Artificial Intelligence and Big Data.” Lab Manager, 9 February 2022, https://www.labmanager.com/news/wildlife-preservation-can-get-help-from-artificial-intelligence-and-big-data-27537 Accessed 17 June 2022.
Haalland, Deb. “What You Can Do for Wildlife.” Animal Welfare Institute, 2022, https://awionline.org/content/what-you-can-do-wildlife Accessed 16 June 2022.
Hotel La Manufacture. “THE AQUARIUM OF PARIS.” Hotel La Manufacture, 2022, https://www.hotel-la-manufacture.com/en/actuality/the-aquarium-of-paris.2210.html Accessed 17 June 2022.
Humane Society International. “About Animal Testing.” Humane Society International, 21 October 2012, https://www.hsi.org/news-media/about/ Accessed 16 June 2022.
Peaches and Blush. “Fenty Beauty by Rihanna : Mini Review.” Peachesandblush, 15 October 2017, http://www.peachesandblush.com/2017/10/fenty-beauty-rihanna-mini-review.html Accessed 17 June 2022.
Ritchie, Hannah, et al. “Biodiversity and Wildlife.” Our World in Data, 2022, https://ourworldindata.org/biodiversity-and-wildlife Accessed 16 June 2022.
ShareAmerica. “Top 10 ways to save wildlife.” ShareAmerica, 2 March 2017, https://share.america.gov/top-10-ways-save-wildlife/ Accessed 16 June 2022.
Wildlife Conservation Society. “Science is core to saving wildlife.” ScienceDaily, 20 April 2017, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170420093732.htm Accessed 17 June 2022.
WWF. “FAQs.” WWF-Canada, 2022, https://shop.wwf.ca/pages/faqs Accessed 16 June 2022.