October 4 is observed as World Animal Day across the world. These are the living beings that we use for various purposes; for food, sport, work, transport, in science and medicine, textiles, and as pets. However, it is sad that today animal populations have declined by almost 70%, a recent World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report 2020 says. This is all because of over-exploiting them, defaunation and defragmentation, deforestation that results in loss of habitat of the major part of biodiversity since almost 80% of the terrestrial fauna rely on forests, and many other similar reasons lie behind this global issue. Today is the wake-up call to protect them and show acts of kindness, which were hardly given.
1. Release wild animals into their natural habitat
A habitat is a place adopted by a particular animal. An animal is unable to live properly when they are out of their natural habitat. If, as 2020’s Living Planet Report suggests, loss of habitat continues, the risk of future pandemics is highly likely to expand since it leads to much closer contact with wild animals. Therefore, to avoid harming ourselves as well as the wildlife, the latter must be taken to their natural habitat.
2. Place a feeding or water bowl for birds
Birds are one of the most loved living organisms on this planet Earth. Their chirping sound and charming look are the qualities we love a lot, and we cannot find such amusing traits in any other living creature. However, there comes a time when you need them. Your careful act to quench the thirst as well as sate the hunger of birds by placing a water or feeding bowl for them. You can do this anywhere, such as in-home or office building, where it is approachable to the birds.
3. Make your yard wildlife-friendly
Certain living organisms, such as butterflies, bees, and other similar creatures, have a routine to search for flowering plants, which is one of the major feeding resources. For such flying and perhaps highly economically important insects, planting Butterfly Weed, Autumn Sneezeweed, Yellow Mustard, and Blanket Flower throughout the months of July to October can make your yard wildlife-friendly. Apart, flowers like Allium, Dicentra, and Eremurus are specifically important for some butterflies and hummingbirds.
4. Plant a tree
It is a myth not to consider a tree as one of the ecosystems. Actually, even a single tree composes a tiny ecosystem. A tree is a place for bees to make their comb, for birds to nest, for cattle to avoid extreme temperature, and for many other similar purposes. Thus, it is very crucial to plant at least one tree to make any place even more wildlife or domestic-animal friendly.
5. Let them take a rest
Pack and draft animals, such as cattle, camel, donkeys, horses, yaks, reindeer, mules, and many others have been used to transport anything heavy. However, animals are living beings, they do need rest, as we do. Besides, if you find anyone of such animals, make them drink water, or even feed them when necessary.
6. Help young animals find their mother
Though there are some animals that abandon their offspring after their birth, however many, especially mammals and birds, keep nurturing their young ones unless they become able to live themselves. Therefore, to avoid parental deprivation of such animal babies, help them find their ancestors.
7. Stop making animals fight each other
Cock, bull, and dogfighting have been more common in our society. This is not a game, this is actually violence that must be prosecuted and banned where ever this happens since this leads people to gamble, drugs, or other such similar criminal acts. If this continues, people will keep harming such innocent animals in the name of game.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect News’ editorial stance.