As the globe marks World Wildlife Day on Monday, March 3, World Animal Protection (WAP) has issued a compelling call to promote harmonious coexistence between wildlife and local communities. This approach, WAP emphasizes, is crucial to addressing the escalating human-wildlife conflicts that threaten both animal populations and human livelihoods.
The international organization advocates for the implementation of community-based conservation programs, which not only mitigate human-wildlife conflicts but also empower local populations to take the lead in protecting their natural heritage. These initiatives are seen as vital to ensuring the survival of wildlife and the well-being of communities that share their habitats.
World Wildlife Day, established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2013, is celebrated annually on March 3 to honor the planet’s rich biodiversity and to highlight the importance of conservation efforts for the benefit of humanity. This year’s theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” underscores the need for sustainable funding to support conservation initiatives.
Edith Kabesiime, Wildlife Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection, highlighted the unprecedented challenges facing Africa’s wildlife. “Wild animals across the continent are under immense pressure,” she stated. “From underfunded conservation efforts and exploitative policies to habitat destruction, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, the threats are escalating. Thousands of wild animals are poached, trafficked, and exploited in cruel conditions every year. We must prioritize animal welfare over profit and ensure wildlife thrives in their natural environments.”
Kabesiime stressed that wildlife conservation must be adequately resourced, regardless of its revenue-generating potential. “The ecological balance sustained by wildlife is invaluable. It far outweighs any immediate financial gain, yet this critical contribution is often overlooked,” she added.
WAP is also championing an end to the exploitation of wild animals by raising awareness and advocating for policy changes. The organization is pushing for measures to prevent wild animals from being farmed, captured, sold, or used for entertainment. Additionally, WAP is promoting ethical tourism practices and calling for stronger wildlife protection laws, including stricter penalties for wildlife crimes to dismantle criminal networks.
In Uganda, this year’s World Wildlife Day celebrations were held in Lira District, with Tourism Minister Tom Butiime leading a march through the city to Mayors Garden. The event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, local communities, and conservation organizations, to underscore the importance of wildlife conservation.
Minister Butiime emphasized the urgency of addressing environmental crises. “The world today faces critical, life-threatening challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and extreme pollution. Platforms like World Wildlife Day are essential to raising public awareness and uniting stakeholders to find lasting solutions for sustainable environmental protection,” he said.
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Tourism State Minister Martin Mugarra, Tourism Director Doreen Katusiime, District leadership, local communities, media representatives, and Health Minister Dr. Ruth Aceng, who represented the Chief Guest.
As the world reflects on the importance of wildlife conservation, World Animal Protection’s call for coexistence and sustainable investment in conservation efforts serves as a timely reminder of the shared responsibility to protect the planet’s biodiversity for future generations.
