Animal Conservation

The loss of habitat as a result of farming, mining and new development has dramatically shrunk the natural space available to wildlife. The loss of space, climate change and an insatiable demand for wildlife products, in some instances being fed by transnational organized crime, are conspiring to have a dramatic impact on the seas, savannahs, forests and plains across the world where various species live and thrive.

The effects are catastrophic with various animal species coming under threat of existence, with about 100,000 elephants killed between 2010-2012 alone and as many as 3 rhinos poached every day during the same period. Local extinctions are now being announced annually with Pangolins now thought to be the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world thereby reducing their numbers in their natural ecosystems which rely on them so much. This puts a huge burden on countries where these species naturally occur to protect them, straining already stretched resources.

The United Nations (UN) has played a pivotal role in animal conservation, leveraging its global influence, resources, and collaborative frameworks to address the pressing issues that threaten wildlife. Through its various agencies, conventions, and partnerships, the UN has made significant strides in protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices that benefit both animals and ecosystems.