World Wildlife Day

What is World Wildlife Day?

The World Wildlife Day theme changes every year. In 2026, the theme is Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods. 

This new biodiversity protection campaign highlights that medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are essential for human health and well-being, and ecological balance. In fact, as many as 70,000 species are harvested for their healing properties, cultural significance, and economic value. 
However, despite their importance, MAPs are increasingly at risk from habitat loss, overharvesting, and illegal trade, with 1,300 of these species listed as endangered. 

The wildlife preservation campaign aims to strengthen regulations and ensure the sustainability of harvesting and trade, so these invaluable plant resources can continue to thrive in the wild. 

When is World Wildlife Day?

World Wildlife Day is celebrated annually on March 3rd.

The date of March 3rd was chosen as it is the date CITES was founded. CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) began in 1973, and this year will be the 50th year of the organisation operating.

Past World Wildlife Day Themes

But what were the UN World Wildlife Day themes in previous years? Here’s a summary:

• World Wildlife Day 2025: Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet. The 2025 campaign centred around the economic value of wildlife. The event highlighted that over half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature and how climate change and biodiversity loss impact global finances.
• World Wildlife Day 2024: Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation. This theme focused on using digital technologies and services — like AI, drones, acoustic sensors, and tracking tags — to support wildlife conservation and human-wildlife coexistence.
• World Wildlife Day 2023: Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation. This UN World Wildlife Day was a celebration of partnerships between UN agencies, private sector organisations, philanthropies, and non-governmental organisations, all working together for wildlife.
• World Wildlife Day 2022: Recovering Key Species for Ecosystem Restoration. In 2022, the theme raised awareness of endangered and critically endangered species and highlighted the need for conservation efforts, like WAP’s Wildlife Heritage Areas.
• World Wildlife Day 2021: Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet. In 2021, the event focused on the role of forests, forest species, and ecosystems in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people across the world.

Endangered wildlife species 

Every World Wildlife Day is a chance to draw global attention to endangered species. The 2026 theme highlights the many vital plants that are at risk of extinction — and the urgent need for biodiversity protection.

But we should also use this moment to promote broader wildlife conservation awareness. 

Just like plants, many animal species are currently endangered and face serious threats from human activity: Pangolins are trafficked for their scales and bush meat, big cats are used in traditional Asian medicine, and factory farming is contributing to climate change and habitat loss, putting animals at further risk of extinction.

This is why habitat conservation and wildlife preservation are essential. By protecting wild animals, we protect the ecosystems that we, along with all wildlife and plants, rely on.

Why celebrate World Wildlife Day?

Most captive animals have either been taken from their natural home in the wild, or bred in captivity, having never known real freedom. There are hundreds of thousands of animals currently being held in captivity, in unnatural environments, and forced to perform for tourists.

These animals range from many species, from tigers and elephants performing tricks to donkeys and camels being used as transportation. Venues can range from amusement parks to mobile zoos, and deceptive marketing can create the illusion of sustainability and ethical values. However, the reality is far from kind.

Harsh training methods are used to get animals to behave in certain ways. The animals are disciplined until the ‘correct’ behaviour is implemented.

However, by sharing information and raising awareness, more people are being made aware of the suffering captive animals endure for ticket sales. Together, we can end the commercial exploitation of wildlife.

Join our fight against the exploitation and commodification of wild animals. 

5 World Wildlife Day facts

1. Over one million plant and animal species are estimated to be threatened with extinction.
2. Habitats are being destroyed or fragmented by factory farming and deforestation for animal feed.
3. Many wild animals, such as lions, are bred or kept in exploitative captive conditions for commercial purposes, putting additional pressure on wild populations.
4. Habitat fragmentation is a growing problem around the world, making it harder for animals to hunt, mate, and migrate, and reducing biodiversity by as much as 75%.
5. Illegal wildlife trade remains one of the leading threats to biodiversity, affecting thousands of species worldwide.