Why Is Wildlife Conservation So Important?

Planet Earth is a world like no other. It is our home and the only planet to contain life as we know it in the known universe. The third planet from the Sun, Earth has a radius of 3,959 miles making it the fifth largest planet in our solar system. It is the only planet that we know for certain that has water at its surface. All of this makes us incredibly unique and allows our planet to support life.

From the barren ice sheets of Antarctica to the biodiverse amazon rainforest, we are surrounded by nature and the beauty of life. Complex relationships between animals, plants and their environments is the key to their survival, many of which we don’t know about.

Photo by AJ Robbie

David Attenborough once asked the world,

"The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?"

But it isn’t just elephants that are in trouble. Most, if not all, wildlife are facing challenges they have never seen before. From plastic pollution in our oceans, rising temperatures in Antartica to the loss of forests, challenges are being faced all across the world. To think that we, as one species, are exploiting the one home that allows us to survive is truly saddening. However, it’s not too late, we still have a chance to save so many species but time is running out. Maybe if we all knew what we would be loosing by exploiting our planet, then we would be motivated to take a stand and save it.

So What Is Wildlife Conservation?

Well Wildlife Conservation is the preservation and protection of animals, plants and their habitats. It doesn’t just focus on our favourite species but looks at the bigger picture. Check out some of the reasons on why wildlife conservation is important.

Protection of biodiversity

Biodiversity is the key to success in ecosystems. Many of us don’t realise the complex relationships that animals, plants and their habitats all share. Ecosystems are made up of food chains and food webs where every single species has a part to play in the success of the area overall. Conservation before has focused upon our favourite animals until recently where we have began to understand these relationships. The loss of one single species can affect a dozen more directly and indirectly.

Medicinal Value

Did you know that many drugs like Aspirin and Morphine come from plants? We need to conserve wildlife so that we can access these important medicines. However, it isn’t just plants that hold ingredients for medicines, animals do too. Another reason is scientists believe that there are millions of species still undiscovered, many of which could be the answer to many diseases that we are facing or may face in the future so if these species disappear before they are discovered, we will never uncover these possible cures.

Preserves Heritage & Culture

As we have advanced in the world, tribes and indigenous people have decreased. Although there are still some that still exist today. Many of these people have great connections with the land and their history and culture is closely tide to many of the wildlife and natural habitats.

Not only that but we should all be motivated to protect this world for our future generations to see the beauty of life that we have been able to experience through our lifetimes.

Aesthetics Benefits

Life can be tough sometimes, it can drain your mind and body but nature is the best medicine.

Spending time in nature and watching wild animals is not only fun but it is also relaxing. Just imagine if you were walking around your area where there wasn’t any birds singing or any life in the trees, it would be pretty depressing right?

Promotes Tourism

A big factor in many peoples decisions about where they should travel to is what animals can be found there as well as natural habitats (such as forests, lakes etc). Places like Costa Rica, Thailand and South Africa are examples of this and as a result have lots of tourists exploring the country every year. Tourism is very important in many parts of the world as it brings in large amounts of money that is spent in local businesses and as such boosts the local economy. Certain areas would collapse if the wildlife disappeared as so would the tourists.