Let me ask you a question.

When you hear the word “wildlife” what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

A few animals in a jungle? An experience you’ve had with wildlife?  A documentary you might have watched on discovery or animal planet?

Well hold that thought, we’ll get back to it in a moment.

Let me start with my own experience. I often traveled to a rural place in the district of Matale called Ukuwela which in coincidence is the very place I’m writing this blog from.

The house is situated close to a small forest. Throughout my years I’ve noticed something that surprised me as a kid but now it’s a concerning fact. In the beginning the garden was often visited by deer’s, rabbits and even rare birds  As time passed the deer’s stopped coming and rabbits were rarely sighted but there were trails of wild boars in certain places. At present you’d be surprised to know that it’s only a few birds that dare to visit.

2020 hasn’t been kind to us. By “us” I don’t mean only the humans but nature as well. The entire world speaks about endless casualties the humans suffer from but only a few raise their voice on the topic of wildlife and nature.

We live in a world where weapons can destroy a country in hours but a bushfire burns for weeks.

Every part of a celebrities life is captured by the media while the same journalist take weeks to realize that the Amazon was on fire.

As Sri Lankans we are eager for the completion of a city in the ocean while numerous villagers are still threatened by wild elephants.

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
–Martin Luther King Jr.

I’d be rude to not mention the nature conservancy, the world wildlife fund and few other organizations who has vowed to protect our wildlife but even with all their tremendous efforts the wildlife all across the world is still at risk and facts prove it.

• Around 2 million square miles of the planet is protected. This sounds like a lot, but is only 3% of the total land area.
• Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has caused the loss of 83% of all wild mammals
• 20% of all known species are either threatened or endangered.

African countries such as Botswana, Namibia and Tanzania have been recognized for their notable conservation on mega fauna and wildlife while research suggests that those countries depend on wildlife the most.

That suggests that humans cannot survive without the aid of nature and the wilderness but only a handful of countries returns the favor by protecting them.

“If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love. “
–Steve Irwin

Wildlife conservation is a vital service. Not only to the organizations who are a part of it but to each and every human being. Thus it’s our duty to protect it. Don’t get me wrong by “protect” doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice half your time or money, protecting wildlife can even be as small as planting exotic trees in your gardens or by donating the least you can to organizations.

We spend hours a day on social media and only a few of us are aware of what’s happening around us. Awareness is something we lack as human beings and that results in uncontrollable situations as time passes. With all the facilities most of us possess we still lack the general information that we are meant to have .Even the most important things like pollution, diseases and wildlife are often shown a blind eye.

“The function of the artist in a disturbed society is to give awareness of the universe, to ask the right questions, and to elevate the mind.”
–Marina Abramovic

In my opinion the mindset determines a person’s voluntary and involuntary actions. If you have a positive mindset on a global issue then you’re not going to make an effort to keep yourself updated and aware. But if you have somewhat of a negative mindset on problems like wildlife conservation then without your knowledge you will be taking the right decisions and even contributing to its cause.

Now let’s go back to the very beginning where I asked you a question. If you hear the word “Wilderness” and you picture a familiar place under threat of extinction or pollution then you are in the right mindset. On the other if your mindset is still the same then do me a favor and spend a few more minutes going through this blog again.

So, for the last time.

Let me ask you a question.

When you hear the word “wildlife” what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

Thank you.

By Umar Inthikab | Email : umarinthikab@gmail.com