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On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United
Nations General Assembly decided to proclaim 3 March, the day of
signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate
and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. The UNGA resolution also
designates the CITES Secretariat as the facilitator for the global
observance of this special day for wildlife on the UN calendar.
World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2016 under the
theme “The future of wildlife is in our hands.” African and Asian
elephants will be a main focus of the Day under the theme “The future of
elephants is in our hands”. Countries around the world are encouraged
to highlight species of wild animals and plants from their own
countries, adapting the global theme to suit.
The world’s wildlife, whether charismatic or lesser known,
is facing many challenges. The biggest threats to wildlife are habitat
loss as well as overgrazing, farming and development. Poaching and
trafficking in wildlife driven by transnational organized crime groups
pose the most immediate threat to many iconic species. Elephants,
pangolins, rhinoceros, sharks, tigers and precious tree species are
among the most critically poached and trafficked species across the
world.
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