World Wildlife Day 2023

On December 20, 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3rd as UN World Wildlife Day for every year. This specific day was chosen to honor the day that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora was signed in 1973.¹

Without even realizing it sometimes, we rely on wildlife and biodiversity-based resources to meet all our needs including food, fuel, medicine, housing, and clothing. CITES has sought to build partnerships between the groups that are guided and governed by its regulations. At national and local levels, these partnerships have been essential in every country across the globe to focus on the conservation of species and ecosystems.

This notion fits in with this year’s Wildlife Day theme of “Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation” focused on how partners of CITES has made a significant contribution to sustainability, wildlife, and biodiversity conservation. The theme also has 2 sub-topics of “marine life and oceans” and “business and finance.”¹

To celebrate World Wildlife Day, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) wants to bring awareness to its 500 partnerships across 17 countries aimed at supporting the values of the UNGA.

"We collaborate with people, communities, corporations, NGOs, and governments, all of whom share our mission to save species and ecosystems, and our vision for a world where all life thrives," said SDZWA president and CEO, Paul A. Baribault, in an organizational release. "We approach all our efforts and partnerships with the critical understanding that collaboration is fundamental for effective and sustainable conservation action."²

Nick Dale / stock.adobe.com

One example of SDZWA’s efforts include a partnership with Grevy's Zebra Trust to expand its Healing Rangelands program, which works to revitalize local grazing management and rangeland restoration. This partnership helps restore healthy rangelands to benefit livestock livelihoods, provide better water access for zebras, and advance protection of natural spaces.

"San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance partnerships are a living and growing representation of what CITES stands for, and those involved with its inception hoped to achieve. From the savannas of Kenya to the Amazonian forests to classrooms in Hawai'i, our network of global conservation partners makes our collective work possible,” Baribault said.

References

1. What is Wildlife Day? United Nations. Accessed March 3, 2023. https://www.wildlifeday.org/en/about-us
2. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance celebrates its partners in conservation, global collaborations on international World Wildlife Day. News release. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. March 3, 2023. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/san-diego-zoo-wildlife-alliance-celebrates-its-partners-in-conservation-global-collaborations-on-international-world-wildlife-day-301761713.html