The World is Their Home too: World Animal Day 2024 calls for urgent need to protect biodiversity

(This article is courtesy of Environmental Information Awareness Capacity Building & Livelihood Programme (EIACP), Nagaland Pollution Control Board)

World Animal Day, celebrated annually on October 4, is an International Day of Action to raise awareness about animal welfare and rights. The day aligns with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, reflecting its strong ties to protecting all creatures. The was first celebrated in 1925 in Berlin by Heinrich Zimmerman, a German writer and animal advocate.

The mission of World Animal Day is to unite people worldwide to support efforts for better treatment, care, and protection of animals, both domesticated and wild. It also advocates for stronger laws and policies regarding animal welfare. Various events such as educational programs, shelter fundraisers, and conservation campaigns are held to mark the occasion.

The celebration highlights humanity’s responsibility to respect and care for animals and encourages global action to ensure their well-being,

Significance of World Animal Day

1. This day highlights the importance of ensuring animals are treated ethically, whether domestic pets, farm animals, or wildlife. It advocates for preventing cruelty, neglect, and exploitation.
2. It emphasizes the belief that animals have intrinsic rights and should be protected from harm. World Animal Day helps push for better legal protections and more humane policies on a global scale.
3. The day raises awareness about endangered species and the need for conservation efforts to protect biodiversity and natural habitats. It draws attention to the consequences of habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change on animal populations.
4. It celebrates the deep connection between humans and animals, emphasizing the emotional and practical benefits of this relationship. This can inspire people to take more responsibility for the care of pets and animals around them.
5. World Animal Day promotes the idea that education about the importance of animal welfare should start early. Schools, communities, and organizations often host events to teach people about kindness, empathy, and care for animals.

Theme

The 2024 theme for World Animal Day, “The world is their home too!” emphasizes that the Earth is not solely for humans but is shared with countless animal species. It seeks to remind us that animals, whether domestic, wild, or in captivity, are co-inhabitants of the planet and deserve a safe, sustainable environment in which they can thrive.

Key points of the theme

1. 1. Shared responsibility for the Planet: The theme highlights that humans and animals share the same world and that we are responsible for maintaining ecosystems that support all forms of life. It stresses that the actions humans take–whether its deforestation, pollution, or climate change-have a profound impact on animals and their habitats. By recognizing this, we can work toward sustainable practices that protect the environment for all species.
   2. Respecting animal habitats: The theme calls for attention to the fact that many animals are losing their natural habitats due to human activities like urbanization, deforestation, and industrial expansion. This theme encourages individuals, governments, and organizations to work towards conserving animal habitats, ensuring that animals have safe places to live and reproduce.
   3. Coexistence and harmony: It encourages a mindset of coexistence, urging people to live in harmony with animals rather than in conflict. Whether it’s addressing human-wildlife conflicts, reducing poaching, or promoting biodiversity-friendly farming practices, the theme advocates for actions that allow animals and humans to coexist peacefully.
   4. Emphasizing animal rights: Animals have the right to live free from harm, exploitation, and cruelty. This includes advocating for stronger animal protection laws, ethical treatment in farming and entertainment, and reducing animal suffering in various industries.
   5. Promoting conservation and biodiversity: It emphasizes the urgent need to protect biodiversity. Every species plays a role in the ecosystem, and the loss of even a single species can have cascading effects on the environment. It calls for global efforts to conserve endangered species, protect habitats, and combat issues like illegal wildlife trade.

Challenges faced by animals due to human activities

1. Habitat loss and destruction

– Deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion lead to the destruction of natural habitats, forcing animals to move or adapt to new environments. Many species lose their homes and breeding grounds, pushing them toward extinction.

– Wetland drainage, mining, and infrastructure development also disrupt ecosystems, leaving animals with less space to live and fewer resources like food and water.

2. Climate change

– Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns alter ecosystems, making it harder for many species to survive. Animals that rely on specific climates, such as polar bears or coral reefs, are particularly vulnerable.

– Severe droughts and increased frequency of natural disasters force animals to migrate, often leading to higher competition for resources and increased human-wildlife conflict.

3. Pollution

– Air, water, and soil pollution harm animals in multiple ways. Plastic pollution in oceans, for example, can be deadly to marine life, as animals often ingest or become entangled in debris.

– Chemical pollution from pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial waste can poison animals or disrupt their reproductive systems, leading to population declines.

4. Poaching and illegal wildlife trade

– Poaching for tusks, pelts, horns, and other animal parts remains a significant threat to endangered species like elephants, rhinos, and tigers. The illegal wildlife trade fuels the demand for exotic pets, traditional medicines, and luxury goods, pushing many species to the brink of extinction.

– Even protected areas often fall victim to illegal hunting, weakening conservation efforts.

5. Animal Exploitation

– Factory farming, where animals are kept in confined, overcrowded spaces, causes immense suffering. Many animals raised for food endure inhumane conditions, poor nutrition, and lack of proper veterinary care.

– Animal testing for cosmetics, medical research, and other products subjects millions of animals to pain, suffering, and death. Similarly, the entertainment industry often exploits animals in circuses, zoos, and marine parks.

Ways to protect Animals

1. Choose eco-friendly products and reduce your carbon footprint by recycling, conserving energy, and limiting plastic use. Sustainable consumption helps minimize the impact on ecosystems that support animal life.
2. Avoid products made from animal parts, such as ivory or exotic skins, and choose cruelty-free products that don’t involve animal testing.
3. Adopt pets from shelters instead of buying from breeders or pet stores, and always ensure animals are spayed or neutered to prevent overpopulation.
4. Promote the humane treatment of farm animals by buying products from certified humane or free-range farms and supporting animal-friendly food industries.
5. Prevent conflicts by respecting wildlife boundaries when in natural areas. Don’t feed or disturb wild animals, and support conservation practices that help maintain healthy populations in the wild.
6. Raise awareness by educating others about animal rights and the importance of humane treatment in industries like farming, entertainment, and research.
7. Advocate for stronger animal protection laws that prevent abuse, exploitation, and illegal trade. Supporting or lobbying for laws against poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and inhumane farming practices can create systemic change.