Wildlife is disappearing at an alarming rate. In fact, prominent conservation scientist David Wilcove estimates that the U.S. has up to 35,000 species on its endangered list, which is about 18 percent of the country’s flora and fauna. If you want to do your part in helping protect endangered animals, here are three ways you can do that.
Educate Yourself About Endangered Animals in Your Area
It’s easier to affect positive change when you start small and local, and it’s also a great way to get your foot in the door. Conduct research on which local wildlife are endangered and learn more about their behaviors, food source, their role within the ecosystem, and specific actions you can do to help restore the species’ population. By learning more about the plight of endangered animals, you can also teach your family and friends about the wildlife in the area, which can instill appreciation and motivation to join the worthy cause. You can find a comprehensive list of endangered species by location on endagered.fws.gov.
Take a Trip to a Wildlife Refuge
Learning about endangered animals and their habitats on paper or a digital medium can inform you, but actually seeing them with your own eyes can spark a stronger passion for the cause. Wildlife refuges and national parks provide shelter and food to many indigenuous fish, birds, and plants. If you wish to protect threatened flora and fauna, experts advise protecting the places where they naturally live. Go camping with friends, solo hiking, bird watching, or rock climbing to better understand the landscape and its interconnected biological diversity.
Make Wildlife-Friendly Decisions For Your Home
For instance, secure trash in a bin or can with a locking cover. Avoid leaving food outside, such as after a get-together or when feeding your pet/s. Wild animals can smell the scent of food from great distances. This can lead to unwanted and avoidable collisions with humans. If your doors have those pet access ways, consider locking them to avoid wild animals, such as fox and raccoon, breaking into your home.
There are more ways you can help protect endangered wildlife – donate to rescue and rehabilitation groups, boycott brands that exploit animals, sign petitions that bring to light important issues to political platforms, and so on.