What are Wild Animals?

Featured

Wild animals are animals that grow or live wild without human interaction and intervention.

Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems. Deserts, forests, rain forests, plains, grasslands and other areas including the most developed urban areas, all have distinct forms of wildlife.

The global wildlife population decreased by 52 percent between 1970 and 2014, according to a report by the World Wildlife Fund.

These wild animals include lions, tigers, bears, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, deer, pandas, gorilla, monkeys, crocodiles, foxes, and many more.
We have seen most of these wild animals mainly in the zoo or magazines or tv documentaries. Meet a few of these wild animals with a little info about them.


Lions are known for their strength, size and predatory skills. The lion has been one of the best-known wild animals since earliest times. Lions are most active at night and live in a variety of habitats but prefer grassland, savanna, dense scrub, and open woodland.

The tiger is the largest member of the cat family. They sport long, thick reddish coats with white bellies and white and black tails. Their heads, bodies, tails and limbs have narrow black, brown or gray stripes. There were once nine subspecies of tigers: Bengal, Siberian, Indochinese, South Chinese, Sumatran, Malayan, Caspian, Javan and Bali. Of these, the last three are extinct, one is extinct in the wild, and the rest are endangered.

Bears are large, strong omnivores. Many people often think of bears as big, ferocious creatures that are brown, black or white. Bears are much more than that. They are definitely big, and yes, they are very strong. They can be scary, but most will only become aggressive when threatened or when their babies are threatened and even then many species of bear won’t attack. Bears are solitary and quite docile animals that have been given a bad reputation.

Our planet is home to three different species of zebra, the plains zebra, Grevy’s zebra and mountain zebra, all three species are native to Africa. Closely related to horses, zebras have thick bodies, thin legs, a tufted tail, and a long head and neck sporting a short mane. Their most famous feature is their black and white striped coat. These cool creatures are herbivores and spend most of their day eating grass, and sometimes leaves, shrubs twigs and bark, too.

The name penguin was originally given to an unrelated bird species – the now-extinct great auk, which was a large, flightless, black and white bird. When explorers first encountered wild penguins, they used the same name for the new creatures they were seeing. Everyone imagines penguins on the ice in Antarctica or taking a break on a passing iceberg, but penguins are also found in South Africa, Chile, Peru, Galápagos Islands, New Zealand, Australia and a number of sub-Antarctic islands.

Orangutans are great apes, as opposed to monkeys, and are closely related to humans, having 97% of DNA in common. They are extremely patient and intelligent mammals. They are very observant and inquisitive, and there are many stories of orangutans escaping from zoos after having watched their keepers unlock and lock doors.

The moose is the largest member of the deer family and the tallest mammal in North America. It stands six feet tall from shoulders to feet. Females weigh between 800 to 1,300 pounds and males weigh 1,200 to 1,600 pounds. The moose has long, thick, light brown to dark brown fur. Moose hair is hollow, which helps keep the moose warm. The moose has long legs. Its front legs are longer than its rear legs. This helps it jump over fallen trees and other forest debris.

Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibious) are large, round, water-loving animals that are native to Africa. The word “hippopotamus” comes from the Greek word for “water horse” or “river horse,” although hippos and horses aren’t closely related. The closest living relatives to hippos are pigs, whales and dolphins.

The giraffes characteristic long legs and neck make them tallest mammal on earth. They look down on the rest of us from about six foot (about 1.8 m) and when fully grown their legs alone are taller than most humans. Giraffes have a distinctive spotted coat and, just like human fingerprints and zebra stripes, no two giraffes with the exact same pattern or markings. This fact has helped hugely in researching giraffe as they can be individually identified, observed and monitored.

The African elephant is not just the largest living land animal but it has an enormous brain size to match. Their brains can weigh up to a whopping 5.4 kgs and are, without doubt, the largest brain of all animals living on land. Elephant family groups are very close. While they can’t exactly hug each other, elephants do wrap their trunks around younger relatives to reassure them and to greet each other they twine their trunks together.

There are over 60 different species of deer worldwide. Deer are present on all continents except Antarctica. They can live in a range of habitats, from mountainous areas to warm and wet rain forests. The Barbary red deer is the only species present in Africa

Crocodiles or true crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. Crocodylinae, all of whose members are considered true crocodiles, is classified as a biological subfamily.

The American buffalo is one of the icons of the United States of America. The animal has been referred to as a “buffalo” – which is a form of a French word “boeuff”, simply meaning “large cow”, and from which the word “beef” also comes – throughout its history, and the word “buffalo” has been used in reference to the American animal as far back as 1635. The American bison or American buffalo once roamed the continent of North America in such mass, that a galloping herd would leave a black swathe of trodden soil in its wake.

Why do we need to protect wild animals?

For maintaining a healthy ecological balance on this earth, animals, plants and marine species are as important as humans. Each organism on Earth has a unique place in food chain that helps contribute to the ecosystem in its own special way.

Today many of the animals and birds are getting endangered. The natural habitats of animals and plants are being destroyed for land development and farming by humans. Poaching and hunting of animals for fur, jewelry, meat and leather are other great factors contributing to wildlife extinction. Soon, if no steps are taken to save wildlife, it would not be long when they become extinct species.

The extinction of wildlife species will certainly have a dangerous impact on human race as well. So, for us as humans, it is our responsibility to save the wildlife for our planet and most importantly, for our own selves.



What can we do to protect the animals in the wild?

As young as we are, we can help protect the wild animals in our own ways. We can start off with learning more about the wildlife. When we know more about them then we would be more aware of how we can protect them.

We can also be respectful to the environment by picking up trash so wild animals will not be attracted onto roadways. Recycle papers to protect trees as trees also provide food and shelter to the wild animals. Conserve electricity to lessen usage of power plants that pollute the environment that the wild animals depend on. We must preserve the environment in which the animals live. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

We can ask our parents to buy organic foods and “free range” eggs, dairy and meat to help out in eliminating the farms that are overcrowded with animals and those farmers that use pesticides that are harmful to the environment. We must not buy products that harm animals and their habitat.

Young and old alike must do our share in protecting the animals in the wild because these animals deserve our appreciation and respect. These animals no matter how wild and dangerous they are, provide our world with natural splendor.

ITE Iniciative.

The Importance of Wildlife to Humans

Wildlife Is The Cornerstone Of Tourism

Nature is, and has always been, valued for its aesthetic values. In an increasingly commercialized world which can often feel cold and empty, it is important that we have something inspiring and thought provoking to turn to when we need a break. Wild animals can fill this void, whether we simply visit a park and watch the pigeons for a while, go to the zoo, or are lucky enough to experience animals in their wild habitat.

Human fascination with the beauty of wild animals drives tourism worldwide. This has the effect of boosting the economy and creating jobs where there otherwise may be none. Managed in the right way, tourism raises awareness of the need to conserve delicate ecosystems containing endangered animals. It gives people a driving force to want to help in conservation efforts, which will unquestionably lead to a better future for planet earth.
 

Our Ancient Bond To Wild Animals

Historically, wildlife has played a huge part in the day to day life of many cultures. As a part of religious ceremonies, community events, and community bonding, wild animals still have a huge role in many third world countries.

For example, common animals such as the kangaroo still play a huge role in the tribal rituals and beliefs of many indigenous communities in Northern Australia.
 

Crucial Part Of Healthy Ecosystems

Wild animal migration, distribution, and behavioural patterns can be a vital indicator into the health of an ecosystem and the deeper impacts of climate change.

Scientists can use models of animal distribution to define the best methods for the preservation of the natural environment. Animal behaviour can also be an important indicator of unprecedented events, such as earthquakes, tsunami’s, or large storms.

Historical information shows that wildlife can behave differently when they sense an imminent threat. If this knowledge could be harnessed effectively, it could save countless lives through early warning systems, allowing people to adequately prepare.
 

Inspiration To Decrease Our Environmental Impact

Many of the world’s environmental problems stem from a lack of knowledge. Consumers are able to purchase certain products or engage in activities without realising the damage they are causing to the earth.

When shown in a positive light, wild animals can inspire people to lead a sustainable lifestyle. They can invoke feelings of sympathy and compassion, causing people to be conscious of the damaging effects of their lifestyles.

Wild animals provide a range of services to the human existence. They can be valuable subjects for modern scientific research and play a huge role in cultures across the world. People can turn to nature for a release when the drags of the modern world become too great.

With respect to the conservation and future of our planet, animals can inspire people to change their lifestyle and rally for a brighter future. If a larger portion of the human population were to realize the importance of wild animals to their existence, they would be able to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

The Effects of Climate Change and Pollution to Wild Animals.

Sea levels are rising and oceans are becoming warmer. Longer, more intense droughts threaten crops, wildlife and freshwater supplies. From polar bears to marine turtles, our planet’s wildlife is at risk from the changing climate.

Climate change is a big threat to the places, animals and people’s lives. To solve this we must reduce pollution and prepare for the effects of global warming, which we are already experiencing. 

Polar Bears are starving due to melting of ice caps. In 2008 polar bears were the first species protected by the endangered species act specifically due to projected impacts from climate change. Nine years later, they still have not taken sufficient actions to save the sea ice that would spare this bear from extinction.
In the late spring, the ice is breaking up sooner and forming later in the fall, forcing bears to burn huge amounts of energy walking or swimming long distances to get to any remaining ice. they burned through 12,325 calories a day, much of it from their body reserves.
As the sea ice melts earlier and earlier, polar bears are forced to swim more and more, to reach seal populations More swimming could lead to smaller bears, reduced reproduction rates, and even increased risk of death.






Due to drought, less food, water, and cover is available. Less food will likely result in reduced reproduction by adult animals. Less food for adults will also result in less food available for young wildlife, such as the production of milk by deer and elk. With the production of less milk, more fawns and calves may starve or succumb to diseases, parasites, and predation. With less food, deer in particular, will enter the winter months with less fat reserves which can result in higher starvation. With the growth of less grass which provides hiding cover for wildlife, waterfowl nests and young, as well as the young of deer, antelope, elk, and other species will be more vulnerable to predators. Less water will provide less habitat for waterfowl, muskrats, beaver, and other species which may crowd them into smaller areas and make them more vulnerable to diseases, predators, and competition with other members of their own species.

Birds loses their natural habitat at a fast rate that results to death of most of it’s fowls.


Wild animals are already visible in the city.

Habitat loss poses the greatest threat to species. The world’s forests, swamps, plains, lakes, and other habitats continue to disappear as they are harvested for human consumption and cleared to make way for agriculture, housing, roads, pipelines and the other hallmarks of industrial development. Without a strong plan to create terrestrial and marine protected areas important ecological habitats will continue to be lost.


Impacts of drought on wildlife also will result in more conflicts between humans and wildlife. For example, with lower production of berries and acorns, more black bears will enter suburban areas searching for food such as human foods placed in garbage, grease on barbecue grills, and sugar water in hummingbird feeders. More raccoons likely will be seeking sweet corn in gardens, and pet foods inadvertently left outdoors. Some wildlife such as bighorn sheep, deer, and elk may feed on greener grass along road sides which likely will result in more wildlife-vehicle collisions. With less grass forage available, ranchers may view elk as competing more for forage with their livestock. If the drought results in reductions of wildlife populations, ranchers with hunting enterprises on their lands likely will have reduced incomes.


  • Misplaced animals tend to seek their natural habitat which. most of the times are already occupied by humans.


Pollution plays a big part in the extinction of wild animals.

Look at any ecosystem and there could be multiple forms of contamination— streams full of toxic chemicals from industrial processes, rivers overloaded with nutrients from farms, trash blowing away from landfills, city skies covered in smog. Even landscapes that appear pristine can experience the effects of pollution sources located hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Marine animals are gets entangled with fishing nets that was left in the ocean.
A pelican that got drenched in oil spill

Human activities contaminate ecosystems around the world—from pole to pole, from the highest mountains to the ocean deep. Toxic chemicals can be found in forests and the blood of animals. Garbage floats on the surface of oceans miles away from land. Even excess noise and lights are affecting the lives of animals and people.

Let us save our wild life in our own little ways. We must be aware of what is going on around us. We must create solutions instead of adding to the problem.