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U/E/R: World Wildlife Day observed

By Emmanuel Akayeti || Contributor
Regional News UER: World Wildlife Day observed
MAR 4, 2022 LISTEN

World Wildlife Day is one of the significant annual events celebrated globally since 2013, when the Secretariat of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) through the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed March 3 of every year as such.

It is a day to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora, and to raise awareness on the multitude of benefits that its conservation provides for mankind in the form of direct and indirect linkages to ecological, cultural and socio-economic development of the country.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent in Bolgatanga, as part of efforts to commemorate World Wildlife Day, the Upper East Regional Wildlife Manager, responsible for the Northern Savannah Zone, Joseph Binlinla said wildlife, which invariably are all living things not introduced by humans but are found wild, plays a wide range of ecological, economic, and cultural importance in relation to human existence on earth.

Unfortunately, he added that key species in our ecosystems are rapidly getting wiped out with others at the brink of extinction.

As such he indicated that it is important that the country use occasions such as the World Wildlife Day to remind citizens of the importance of wildlife to their lives, and for which reason there is the need for them to do all they can in their might, to ensure sustainable conservation of these important natural resources.

Mr. Binlinla indicated that the Worldwide theme for this particular year’s celebration is “Recovering Key Species for Ecosystem Restoration” centred on drawing attention to the conservation status of some of the most critically endangered species of wild animals.

He therefore urged all and sundry, particularly traditional authorities, law enforcement agencies, CREMA Membership, MMDAs, and environmental NGOs among others to endeavour to throw their support behind the Wildlife Division in wildlife conservation efforts in general and in particular, untiring efforts in ensuring recovery, conservation and sustainable management of rare and threatened species in the country, for their continued benefits to all segments of society.

He further lamented that some of the key species of wild animals such the elephants, the Bongo, Red colobus, and the Black and White monkeys, the Giant and Long tailed Pangolins, the Lion, Leopard, the Aardvark, Honey badger, the Hippopotamus and quite a number of Birds of Prey in the country are now classified as endangered and being managed as such because most of them can only now be found in Wildlife Protected Areas under the Wildlife Division of Forestry Commission, such as National Parks, Resource Reserves and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

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