Endangered Species Day
Endangered Species Day is observed every year on the third Friday in May. It is dedicated for the protection of endangered species (animals, birds, fish, plants etc.) which is seriously at risk of extinction. It was started by the United States Congress in 2006.
What are the reasons behind this? Changes in environment, habitat, pollution and climate are the main causes. The most important reason is hunting and killing of animals for trading which is very lucrative.
It is high time to create awareness and wage a war against these crimes. It is our responsibility to protect and take care of our beautiful earth which is filled with wonderful animals, birds, fish and plants.
- The illegal wildlife trade is valued at between $5-20 billion USD per year, it is the fourth most lucrative global crime after drugs, humans and arms.
- It’s not just a crime against wildlife, 1,000 rangers have been killed in the last ten years, which is two per week, every week.
- 95% of the world’s rhinos have been lost in the last 40 years.
- In 2011 between 40,000 and 60,000 pangolins were captured and killed in Vietnam alone.
source: www.unitedforwildlife.org
#Rhinoceros are killed for their HORNS which is believed to cure many diseases
##Pangolins are killed for their MEAT and SCALE
#Image credit: fightforrhinos.com
##Image credit: www.zsl.org
