World Wildlife Day

Today is World Wildlife Day, as recognised by the United Nations General Assembly.
The day is to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s animals and plants, and has become the most important global annual event dedicated to wildlife.

The theme of World Wildlife Day 2020, “Sustaining all life on earth”, encompasses all wild animal and plant species as a component of biodiversity as well as the livelihoods of people, especially those who live closest to nature. It also underlines the importance of sustainable use of natural resources in support of the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

What does biodiversity mean?
Biodiversity simply means the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.

Why is biodiversity important?
The animals and plants that live in the wild have an intrinsic value and contributes to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being and sustainable development.

Why celebrate?
World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects, Sustainable Development Goal #15 (UN) focuses on halting biodiversity loss.

What’s the significance for North Devon?
North Devon in particular is a very special place for nature and wildlife, including being part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and recognised as an Area of Outstandng Natural Beauty, as well as a Marine Pioneer project area.

UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. UNESCO has defined 701 biospheres in 124 countries. Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a designated exceptional landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are precious enough to be safeguarded in the national interest. AONBs are protected and enhanced for nature, people, business and culture.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland has 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, covering 18% of the countryside, over a fifth of the English coast, and including 12,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways.

The North Devon Marine Pioneer is one of 4 pioneers that will be used to test innovative ideas for governance of the environment - to inform the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. The Natural Capital Approach will be used for this project – natural capital consists of the stocks of natural assets (geology, soil, air, water and living things), that provide benefit people. The aims of the pioneer include exploring how our marine natural capital can best be managed for the benefit of the environment, economy and people.

Is plastic a threat to wildlife?
Plastic is a huge threat to wildlife across the world, and right here in North Devon.

Seabirds and Plastic

  • 99% of seabird species could ingest plastic by 2050

  • 15% of a chicks bodyweight can be plastic

  • 100% of seabird chicks in some regions have plastic in their stomachs

  • 450 pieces of plastic were found in a single Laysan Albatross chick

  • Seabird nests may contain or be entirely built with plastic

  • Seabirds have a 20% lifetime chance of mortality from ingesting just a single piece of plastic

    Whales and Plastic

  • 47 out of 90 species of whale are known to ingest plastic

  • 27 species of whale are known to get entangled in plastic

  • 83% of North Atlantic Whales show signs of entanglement

  • Microplastics have been found in the intestines of a Humpback Whale

  • 58% of North Atlantic Right Whale deaths in 2003-2018 were caused by entanglement in plastic fishing gear

How about land animals?
Sadly it’s a similar story with land animals and wildlife. Wildlife can get caught up in plastic waste, inhibiting essential movement or flight; animals can ingest plastic waste causing a blockage and/or starvation; animals can ingest plastic waste a be detrimentally affected by the poisoning chemicals and bacteria attached to the plastic particles.

What can I do to help?

  • You can support Plastic Free North Devon and the work that we do to protect wildlife by removing plastic waste from the natural environment.

  • Join Devon Wildlife Trust, or a local trust near to you.

  • Protect habitat local to you. A 2minute litter pick really can help to make wildlife safer in your area.

  • Stop the flow of plastic into the environment. Think about your individual consumption choices… here’s some handy tips.

  • Have your voice heard - advocate for wildlife. Now you know about the importance of wildlife, and the threats to it, you could contact your local MP, or write to your parish or town councillor, to raise the issue of environmental and wildlife protection if you want to see more being done in your area.

  • Learn more… Interested in what species have been spotted in your area?
    Check out the National Biodiversity Network.

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