We risk our own survival if we lose these wild species. And it is not just important that they exist—their abundance and diversity are critical. We need thriving wildlife to interact with other animals and their habitats for effective ecological benefits.

Wildlife is integral to the world’s ecosystems, providing balance and stability to nature’s processes. The goal of wildlife conservation is to ensure the survival of these species, and to educate people on living sustainably with other species.

From offering a wealth of natural medicines to safeguarding us from climate shocks and improving soil health, we need wildlife for our survival, well-being and prosperity. However, the way we live and work – from the food we eat to how we build our infrastructure – is causing a steep decline in their numbers.

By conserving wildlife, we're ensuring that future generations can enjoy our natural world and the incredible species that live within it. To help protect wildlife, it's important to understand how species interact within their ecosystems, and how they're affected by environmental and human influences.

Effectively managed protected areas are a critical tool for safeguarding biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem balance, preserving important habitats, building resilience to climate change, providing global food security, maintaining water quality, conserving natural resources, driving economic success, curbing the spread of diseases and pests, and providing many other benefits to wildlife and human health.