World Wildlife Day 2025
Every year, World Wildlife Day serves as a global reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and the urgent need to protect our planet’s diverse ecosystems - and 2025 is no exception!
But what is World Wildlife Day, where did it come from and why does it matter?
In this blog post, we will explore everything you should know about this year’s celebration, and how you can make a meaningful difference for wildlife conservation in 2025.
What is World Wildlife Day?
World Wildlife Day is an annual celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the world’s diverse wildlife and the urgent need for conservation efforts. The global event serves as a reminder of the value of wildlife to our planet, and the crucial role it plays in maintaining ecological balance.
When is World Wildlife Day?
The 3rd March was chosen for World Wildlife Day, to commemorate the signing of the “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” (CITES) in 1973.
Who started World Wildlife Day?
World Wildlife Day was proposed by Thailand and officially established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2013.
Since its beginning, World Wildlife Day has been coordinated by the CITES Secretariat, in collaboration with various conservation organisations, governments, and individuals worldwide.
Why do we celebrate World Wildlife Day?
We celebrate World Wildlife Day to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife and biodiversity, highlight the threats they face, and encourage global action to protect nature. The day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to preserve the delicate balance of ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.
Here are some key reasons as to why we celebrate World Wildlife Day every year:
1. Protecting biodiversity
Wildlife plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems in our world, which provide clean air, water, and food. Protecting species, from big cats to plants, helps to preserve nature’s balance.
2. Raising awareness
Many people are unaware of the devastating impact of habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade. Part of World Wildlife Day’s messaging is to educate and inspire action for positive change.
3. Combatting wildlife crime
Illegal poaching and trafficking of endangered species threatens global biodiversity. World Wildlife Day promotes stronger laws and conservation efforts to fight these issues.
4. Encouraging sustainable living
World Wildlife Day reminds us to adopt eco-friendly lifestyles, support ethical tourism, and make responsible choices. By making these changes towards more sustainable living, we can all do our part to minimise our impact on wildlife and the environment.
5. Honouring conservation efforts
On World Wildlife Day each year, governments, organisations and individuals working to protect wildlife are recognised globally, and encouraged to continue their crucial efforts. Not only is it important to honour these efforts, but it hopes to inspire more too.
What was this year’s World Wildlife Day theme?
This year's World Wildlife Day embraced the theme: "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet."
What does the theme mean?
This year’s World Wildlife Day theme underscores the critical need for innovative financial solutions to support global conservation projects, recognising the role of wildlife in sustaining ecosystems, economies, and human well-being.
Wild plants and animals are essential to maintaining the balance of life on Earth, however, growing environmental threats, habitat destruction, and illegal wildlife trade endanger many species. Therefore, this year's theme promotes global cooperation to raise funds, implement sustainable solutions, and support eco-friendly initiatives that protect species and their habitats for the better of everyone on the planet.
What happened on World Wildlife Day 2025?
On 3rd March 2025, World Wildlife Day was observed globally. However, the main event took place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, where experts from around the world highlighted innovative financial mechanisms for wildlife conservation.
What were the messages of World Wildlife Day 2025?
Ivonne Higuero: CITES Secretary-General
“Our planet’s magnificent biodiversity is priceless, but conserving it comes at a cost. Each year, hundreds of billions of dollars are needed to close the global wildlife conservation finance gap—a gap we must bridge to ensure the survival of species and the ecosystems that sustain us all.”
“Wildlife conservation finance is more than a tool – it is a commitment. A commitment to the planet, to its wild animals and plants, and to a shared future where nature and humanity thrive together.”
Achim Steiner: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator
“On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, it is a privilege to join our close partner, CITES, to mark World Wildlife Day 2025.
It highlights the intrinsic link between protecting wildlife and securing our collective futures.
To forget this truth is to lose sight of one of humanity’s most fundamental pillars of well-being.
At the core of these efforts lies wildlife conservation, supported by the innovative financing needed to sustain it.”
Axel van Trotsenburg: World Bank Senior Managing Director
“At the World Bank Group, our mission is clear: to end poverty on a livable planet. Investing in nature is not just good for the environment, it is essential for the economy.”
Indira Gamatis: Seychelles Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Focal Point for the Convention on Biological Diversity
“This year’s World Wildlife Day theme, comes at an opportune moment for us to continuously look at innovative mechanism to support the conservation of wildlife, which in turn will benefit nature and people.”
Jakob Eggenberger: Switzerland Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Head of Species Conservation and International Trade
“World Wildlife Day is an important opportunity to recognise, reflect on and celebrate what has been achieved. However, it is just as important to continue to support and strengthen CITES with all available means in order to meet the challenges ahead.”
Eric Usher: UNEP FI (United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative) Head
“This year's theme, investing in people and planet, is a call to action for all of us to recognize that we cannot protect Nature without empowering the communities that depend on it, and we cannot ensure sustainable development without prioritizing the health of our ecosystems, it's crucial to understand that protecting Nature is not just an environmental issue, but an economic and social one, from clean water and air to resilient agriculture and climate regulation, Nature provides the essential services that support our daily lives.”
How can you make a difference to wildlife in 2025?
Making a difference for wildlife in 2025 starts with small, meaningful actions that collectively have a big impact. But, by taking small but impactful actions, we can all contribute to protecting wildlife and ensuring a healthier planet in 2025 and beyond.
Whether you're an individual, a business, or part of a community, here are some ways to help protect and conserve wildlife this year:
1. Support wildlife conservation efforts
Donating or volunteering to reputable organisations like the World Wildlife Fund and RSPCA, or local conservation groups, nature reserves and sanctuaries can make a direct impact in supporting wildlife.
However, if you don’t have the funds or time to do this, many organisations offer symbolic adoptions, helping fund the protection of animals.
2. Create natural habitats
Helping wildlife can happen from your own back garden!
Create a wildlife-friendly garden by bringing in new plants and building ponds, for essential food and shelter for native creatures. Or just simply let your garden grow as it was intended to - this is often known as “rewilding”, the act of making your garden wild once again.
Another idea is placing wildlife habitats in your garden. At Green Feathers, we stock a wide range of habitats, including bird boxes, hedgehog houses and bug hotels.
3. Be an advocate for wildlife
Advocacy and awareness is the backbone of all efforts - including wildlife conservation.
Use social media, blogs or community events to educate others about conservation, and encourage governments and businesses to prioritise wildlife protection and sustainable practices. You can also join in with other wildlife events, such as:
… Along with other local initiatives.
4. Make sustainable lifestyle choices
As World Wildlife Day has shown us, contributing to the environment helps support wider wildlife.
Adopting more sustainable lifestyle choices, such as avoiding products made from palm oil, overharvested wood, and wildlife-derived materials, reducing plastic use and eating more responsibly can all help to lower our environmental impacts.
5. Reduce your carbon footprint
Along with being more sustainable, you can also find ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
Become more focused at saving energy and water by using energy-efficient appliances, reducing water waste, and switching to renewable energy when possible. You could also try to use “green transportation” more often, such as walking, cycling or using public transport, instead of driving, to cut down on carbon emissions.
6. Report and combat wildlife crime
Reporting and combating wildlife crime should always be done. If you witness poaching, illegal wildlife trade, or habitat destruction, report it immediately to local authorities. These are crimes, and we all must do our part to stop them.
Want to do your part for wildlife this year? Get in touch today for expert advice on how to make your garden a safe sanctuary for all creatures, big and small, with Green Feathers wildlife accessories.
