We must act now to conserve African nature

Wildlife traditionally refers to undomesticated animal species, but has come to include all plants, fungi, and other organisms that grow or live wild in an area without being introduced by humans.

Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems. Deserts, forests, rain forests, plains, grasslands and other areas including the most developed urban areas, all have distinct forms of wildlife. While the term in popular culture usually refers to animals that are untouched by human factors, most scientists agree that much wildlife is affected by human activities.

Humans have historically tended to separate civilisation from wildlife in a number of ways including the legal, social, and moral sense. Some animals, however, have adapted to suburban environments. This includes such animals as domesticated cats, dogs, mice, and gerbils. Some religions declare certain animals to be sacred, and in modern times concern for the natural environment has provoked activists to protest against the exploitation of wildlife for human benefit or entertainment.

The global wildlife population decreased by 52 per cent between 1970 and 2014, according to a report by the World Wildlife Fund.

Indeed the world is full of amazing creatures from every possible medium. From the birds of the air to the majestic whales of the sea, wildlife abounds in the most unusual and unexpected places. Wildlife benefits us in many ways, and has since time out of mind. World Wildlife Day is a day to remind us of our responsibilities to our world and the life forms we share it with.

On March 3rd, 1973 the United Nations General Assembly took a stand against to protect endangered species throughout the world. Whether plant or animal, the importance of these species in every area of human life, from culinary to medical, could not be understated. At this time hundreds of endangered species were being threatened every year, and extinction was at a staggeringly high rate. CITES was put into place (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) to ensure that the world did not continue to hemorrhage species that would never be seen from again.

On December 20th, 2013 another step was taken to help spread awareness of the fragility of endangered species in the world.The first thing that always comes to mind when we think about World Wildlife Day is heading out to our local zoo or botanical conservatory and reminding ourselves of the vast variety of life our world offers. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, an outdoor excursion with a book of local flora and fauna (That’s plants and animals) can help make that connection come even closer to home.

Tanzania’s natural beauty and sheer density of plant and wildlife species make it a top destination for eco-tourists. Almost a third of the country is protected, providing habitat for scores of species across 14 national parks. A fifth of Africa’s large mammals can be found within its borders, including lions, hippos, elephants, zebra, and wildebeest, whose mass migration through the Serengeti is a major draw for safaris.

As with other African nations, the majority of Tanzanians are forced to live off the land, which, in turn, compromises it. With trees often the only source for fuel, deforestation has led to soil erosion. That and overgrazing by livestock has led to desertification in some parts of the country. Subsistence farmers then venture closer to wildlife to find fertile land.

Clashes are inevitable. Elephants, zebras, and other species destroy crops. Distraught farmers resort to killing wildlife to protect their own livelihood. Individual conflicts like this pale in comparison to the massive wildebeest migration: Only 15% of this natural phenomenon occurs on protected land. As the herds move, predators follow and nomadic herders’ helpless livestock is caught in the middle.

Protection alone isn’t enough. Providing Tanzanians with sustainable ways to raise crops and livestock, as well as providing other economic opportunities, will not only take the stress off the land, it will avoid deadly run-ins with wildlife.