October 4th - World animal conservation day
October 4th
On October 4th, we have been celebrating World animal conservation day since 1931. Today, there are around 1.7 million animal species on Earth, unfortunately, we are also experiencing significant extinctions, and many species we will likely never know. In Slovenia, approximately 19,000 animal species live.
Those who study animal life can marvel at the diverse adaptations, ingenuity, interconnections between species, and the ability to survive in extreme conditions. However, it is precisely the species adapted to extreme environments that are now among the most endangered. This includes those living in high mountain areas that have existed since the Ice Ages. Due to global warming, their habitats are disappearing.
Today, most animals are not going extinct due to hunting, although many wild animals are still killed around the world for various reasons. Instead, the primary causes are habitat loss, lack of water, and food scarcity. Each of us is partly to blame for this. We consume a lot of energy that needs to be produced, and we use vast amounts of plastic, much of which ends up in the natural environment. We cultivate food in ways that are harmful to both ourselves and nature, which can then travel long distances before reaching stores. We love to travel, often not by bicycle or on foot. An individual may not have a significant impact, but millions of individuals can make a difference. How we live and care for nature in our daily lives is not insignificant.
You can read a lot about animals in Triglav National Park HERE.
Do you know?
St. Francis of Assisi' s name day is on 4th of October. He lived in the 12th century in Umbria, Italy. He was humble and deeply connected to nature. Animals and plants, as well as the sun, stars, and moon, were like brothers and sisters to him, reflecting his respectful relationship with nature. Thus, this day is perfectly suited for Animal conservation day.