(Introduction – causes of decrease/extinction of wildlife- reasons for preserving wildlife- measures to conserve wildlife- conclusion)
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals, and other organisms. Human beings are the main cause of the decrease in wildlife. They cut down forests to cultivate land to provide food and shelter for the growing population. Many animals, birds, and plants lose their habitats from this activity of human beings and become extinct forever. People contaminate air; pollute streams, lakes, and oceans, drain swamps and wetlands, lowering the water table; rape prairies and forests; spray pesticides over water and land; kill animals excessively for immediate profit. Thus, human being alone is responsible for destroying the natural environment. Moreover, the development of cities and industries’ construction of highways, airfields, and numerous other technological conveniences are destroying wildlife.
These activities have vastly reduced the natural habitats of our wildlife and many species are endangered or nearly extinct. The rate of extinction of entire species of plants and animals across the planet has been so high in the last few hundred years that scientists say this will soon invite the extinction of human beings from the earth who are a part of the ecosystem.
Why should we preserve wildlife? Every species plays an important role in maintaining an ecological balance among the living systems of the earth. These systems must continue to function if life is to survive. Loss of any species threatens the survival of several species inclusive of human beings. Human beings turn to nature and wildlife for spiritual, psychological, physical, and cultural benefits. By studying the effects of environmental pollution on wildlife, it is possible to learn how pollution affects human life. Wild species of animals provide meat for food and skin for fun The financial value of wild species is of major importance in the economics of many nations.
Wildlife conservation includes all human efforts to preserve wild animals, birds, and plants from extinction. It involves the protection and wise management of wild species and their environment.
Governments of several nations have passed laws and set aside national parks, sanctuaries, and other wildlife reserves in an effort to save the dwindling wildlife. Such efforts have saved several species from becoming extinct. However, these efforts have to increase severalfold to redeem the complete extinction of the rare species and the population should be controlled. For this people should be made aware of the importance of wildlife.