WORLD ENDANGERED WILDLIFE DAY.

This day is terribly sad that it even has to exist. No where in the world should an animal have to fear for their lives on a daily basis, yet this is reality. This is happening and unless people change, recognize and care for non-humans, it will continue to happen. Money is the root and although some think it makes the world go 'round, you can't take it with you.

The INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN) has what is called a "Red list". This list at the present moment lists over 79,000 species with over 23,000 threatened with extinction! This is appalling! The reason? Take a guess. Yes, humans. Overpopulation, poaching, "trophy" hunting, loss of habitat, illegal pet trade.....

At the current moment, I follow over 2 dozen wildlife, sanctuary, rescue sites, etc. Reading horrendous stories day in and day out brings me to tears. Why do I read them? Why put myself through the immense sadness on a daily basis? Why bother learning about nature, wildlife and the terrors they endure?

Because learning about these crimes allows me to educate young people. To show them my passion and love for wildlife makes them realize that yes, animals are important. Yes, all life is deserving of freedom. Yes, all living creatures belong in their natural habitats. And most important of all, YES, wild animals deserve to live IN THE WILD!

Learning the percentage of decline in population of certain species is staggering. While there are discrepancies between sites, any creature on this list is heading for eventual extinction if humans don't intervene immediately.

Here in Canada we are at risk of losing the fastest animal on the planet! The Peregrine falcon. This bird of prey has been recorded at speeds of close to 400km/hr when diving for its prey! Remarkable!!! This picture is of Maverick, who is no longer with us, at Mountsberg Raptor Centre, part of Halton Conservation. This is a facility that houses non-releasable birds of prey due to injury/illness or human imprinting.

The beautiful Grizzly bear, one of the largest land carnivores on the planet, second only to the Polar bear! Both these gorgeous creatures are endangered. From the Massassauga rattler, Warbler, Snail, Caribou, Saw-whet owl, Bee and more here in Canada are either threatened or endangered.

The largest animal on the planet, do you know what that is? Yes, the Blue Whale. Endangered. Numerous species of Dolphin. Turtle, Owl, Bird of Prey, Endangered.

All of the 4 Big Cats, the Siberian Tiger, Lion, Jaguar and Leopard, Endangered! Quite often these exotic creatures are ripped from their Mothers as young cubs and used as props or for "cub petting", circuses, zoos or when adults as "trophy's" to be hung on some wall.

I could write until my fingers grow sore from all the wildlife humans are destroying. This is a topic I am fiercely passionate about. Am I becoming repetitive? When you have a passion for something, you do love to talk about it. When the passion is about another life, and you see the life being taken in some form, wouldn't you want to do everything you could think of to help?

Teaching children about wildlife, fostering their love and appreciation and even encouraging the development of their own wildlife passion is one of the most amazing things I have witnessed and been a part of. And I will continue to do so until I am no longer able.

So, what can you do about it? Be aware. Be aware of the food you eat and where it came from. Be aware of the clothes you buy are how they were made, from what resources and where. Be aware of the companies whose products you purchase from food to health and beauty to electronics and so on. Be aware. Research.

Yes, I can hear you now and I get it. That's too much work after a long day. I'm tired and just want to relax, be with my family... I know. I wanted to do just that tonight. Relax. But if I did, this wouldn't be written.

However, my goal is to do what I can to educate you. This is my passion, this is what I do. I read, research, contact these sanctuaries and ask questions, challenge what I've read and the answers I've been given, dig, dig and dig. I want to know to pass this on to young people and younger people. This is what I do, and what I love. Even my books feature animal characters!

If you have any questions, about any species, ask. If I don't know, I will ask someone who does. There are several Friends of Mother Nature's Heroes on the sidebar at the right. These are direct links to their pages and each site is a fountain of information regarding their particular interest and sanctuary.

After all, we are all Mother Nature's Heroes, all deserving of life, together.