Herd of wildebeest crossing the Mara river .
Also known as the gnu, the wildebeest is a member of the antelope family. They have a large, box-like head with curving horns. Can live to be 40 years old, migrate close to 1,600 kilometers each year and can run up to 65 kilometers per year.
Photo:Adobe Stock/Theodore

The incalculable value of wildlife

People everywhere rely on wildlife and biodiversity-based resources to meet our needs - from food, to fuel, medicines, housing, and clothing. For us to enjoy the benefits and the beauty that nature brings us and our planet, people have been working together to make sure ecosystems are able to thrive and plant and animal species are able to exist for future generations. So, let’s celebrate wildlife and the important conservation work being done around the world!

World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss.

World Wildlife Day poster 2024

Get involved

Organize your own event or share your commitment to wildlife on social media.

Spread the word, especially to children and youth. They are the future leaders of wildlife conservation and they deserve a future where we humans live in harmony with wildlife that share the planet with us. Here are some outreach materials.

Remember to use the hashtags #WorldWildlifeDay and #ConnectingPeopleAndPlanet on your social networks.

Get Involved!

“Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”

World Wildlife Day 2024 (#WWD2024) focuses on digital innovation and emphasizes how digital conservation technologies and services can drive wildlife conservation, sustainable and legal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife coexistence. The 2024 theme, “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”, recognizes the impact of digital interventions on ecosystems and communities in an increasingly connected world.

We find ourselves amidst a global digital revolution that is dismantling barriers to people-centered digital governance and equal opportunities. The ‘digital divide’ is gradually shrinking, with improved connectivity and Internet access now reaching 66 percent of our global population. However, approximately 2.7 billion people worldwide remain offline. In the least developed countries and landlocked developing nations, only an average of 36 percent of the population has online access. Furthermore, women and young individuals are disproportionately affected by gaps in Internet access and job-ready digital skills.

While technological advancements have significantly improved various aspects of wildlife conservation, including research, communication, tracking, and DNA analysis, challenges such as uneven access, environmental pollution, and unsustainable technology use impede achieving universal digital inclusion by 2030.

World Wildlife Day 2024 serves as a platform for cross-generational exchange and youth empowerment. Through art, presentations, and discussions, it focuses on the opportunities for sustainable digital wildlife conservation. It encourages exploration of existing digital innovations, addresses intersectional discrepancies, and envisions inclusive digital connectivity for all people and the planet.

This year, the CITES Secretariat has teamed up with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), WILDLABS, Jackson Wild, and the International Foundation for Animal Welfare to promote these vital discussions

More information in the World Wildlife Day.

Did you know?

Virtual event

WWD2024 will be celebrated on 3 March and a high-level event will take place on 4 March at United Nations Headquarters in New York (10:00 AM-1:00 PM EST). It will feature high-level speakers, multimedia performances and presentations to highlight the latest and most impactful conservation technologies. Experts from around the world will share their experiences and ideas on sustainable digital innovation for wildlife conservation. Check out the Programme and follow the live webcast on UN WebTV. RSVP on Linkedin to save the date.

And if you can't attend this event, find out about other initiatives taking place around the world that you can participate in.

UN courses on biodiversity

a turtle swims along the words UN Courses

 

View the list of courses in the resources page
sphere made up of different color pieces

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted on December 19, 2022. This historic Framework, which supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and builds on the Convention on Biodiversity's previous strategic plans, sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050. Among the Framework’s key elements are 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030. 

Snow Leopard.

In Kyrgyzstan’s Tien-Shan mountain range, a micro-reserve has been created through the joint efforts of villagers and a local organization. Covering 14,000 hectares of grasslands and glaciers, this reserve enforces stringent regulations on activities like hunting and grazing. Since its establishment, the populations of snow leopards and wild goats have grown, and local residents are capitalizing on fresh economic prospects. They oversee guesthouses, engage in cheese production, and craft felt souvenirs.

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.