via Endangered1. Learn about endangered species in your area. 
Teach your friends and family about the wonderful wildlife, birds, fish and plants that live near you. The first step to protecting endangered species is learning about how interesting and important they are. Our natural world provides us with many indispensable services including clean air and water, food and medicinal sources, commercial, aesthetic and recreational benefits. For more information about endangered species, visit endangered.fws.gov and join our activist network to receive updates and action alerts.

2. Visit a national wildlife refuge, park or other open space
. These protected lands provide habitat to many native wildlife, birds, fish and plants. Scientists tell us the best way to protect endangered species is to protect the places where they live. Get involved by volunteering at your local nature center or wildlife refuge. Go wildlife or bird watching in nearby parks. Wildlife related recreation creates millions of jobs and supports local businesses. To find a wildlife refuge near you, visit www.fws.gov/refuges/ To find a park near you, visit www.nps.gov To find a zoo near you, visit www.aza.org

3. Make your home wildlife friendly. 
Secure garbage in shelters or cans with locking lids, feed pets indoors and lock pet doors at night to avoid attracting wild animals into your home. Reduce your use of water in your home and garden so that animals that live in or near water can have a better chance of survival. Disinfect bird baths often to avoid disease transmission. Place decals on windows to deter bird collisions. Millions of birds die every year because of collisions with windows. You can help reduce the number of collisions simply by placing decals on the windows in your home and office. For more information on what you can do, check out these tips from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

4. Native plants provide food and shelter for native wildlife. Attracting native insects like bees and butterflies can help pollinate your plants. The spread of non-native species has greatly impacted native populations around the world. Invasive species compete with native species for resources and habitat. They can even prey on native species directly, forcing native species towards extinction. For more information about native plants, visit http://www.plantsocieties.org.

5. Herbicides and pesticides may keep yards looking nice but they are in fact hazardous pollutants that affect wildlife at many levels. Many herbicides and pesticides take a long time to degrade and build up in the soils or throughout the food chain. Predators such as hawks, owls and coyotes can be harmed if they eat poisoned animals. Some groups of animals such as amphibians are particularly vulnerable to these chemical pollutants and suffer greatly as a result of the high levels of herbicides and pesticides in their habitat. For alternatives to pesticides, visit http://www.beyondpesticides.org.

6. Slow down when driving. 
Many animals live in developed areas and this means they must navigate a landscape full of human hazards. One of the biggest obstacles to wildlife living in developed areas is roads. Roads divide habitat and present a constant hazard to any animal attempting to cross from one side to the other. So when you’re out and about, slow down and keep an eye out for wildlife.

7. Recycle and buy sustainable products. 
Buy recycled paper, sustainable products like bamboo and Forest Stewardship Council wood products to protect forest species. Never buy furniture made from wood from rainforests. Recycle your cell phones, because a mineral used in cell phones and other electronics is mined in gorilla habitat. Minimize your use of palm oil because forests where tigers live are being cut down to plant palm plantations.

8. Never purchase products made from threatened or endangered species.
Overseas trips can be exciting and fun, and everyone wants a souvenir. But sometimes the souvenirs are made from species nearing extinction. Avoid supporting the market in illegal wildlife including: tortoise-shell, ivory, coral. Also, be careful of products including fur from tigers, polar bears, sea otters and other endangered wildlife, crocodile skin, live monkeys or apes, most live birds including parrots, macaws, cockatoos and finches, some live snakes, turtles and lizards, some orchids, cacti and cycads, medicinal products made from rhinos, tiger or Asiatic black bear.

9. Harassing wildlife is cruel and illegal. Shooting, trapping, or forcing a threatened or endangered animal into captivity is also illegal and can lead to their extinction. Don’t participate in this activity, and report it as soon as you see it to your local state or federal wildlife enforcement office. You can find a list of state wildlife departments at http://www.fws.gov/offices/statelinks.html.

10. Protect wildlife habitat. 
Perhaps the greatest threat that faces many species is the widespread destruction of habitat. Scientists tell us the best way to protect endangered species is to protect the special places where they live. Wildlife must have places to find food, shelter and raise their young. Logging, oil and gas drilling, over-grazing and development all result habitat destruction. Endangered species habitat should be protected and these impacts minimized.

By protecting habitat, entire communities of animals and plants can be protected together. Parks, wildlife refuges, and other open space should be protected near your community. Open space also provides us with great places to visit and enjoy. Support wildlife habitat and open space protection in your community. When you are buying a house, consider your impact on wildlife habitat.

Source: Endangered | 10 Easy Things You Can Do to Save Endangered Species


via Emdoneni Lodge: Wildlife are an important aspect to our lives, even though we may not understand it completely they play an imperative role in our daily living. The most important thing to remember is that without wildlife, humans would not exist.

There is a great importance in teaching children how to respect wildlife from a young age. It is important for them to understand that wildlife seen out in the open are not the same as their dogs or pets that they may find at home.

We have identified a few considerations and aspects to assist you in giving your children the knowledge they need when it comes to wildlife.

  • Wildlife means wild
  • Look don’t touch
  • Utilise everyday routines to teach children about wildlife

The first and most important thing to remember is that wildlife refers to WILD animals, meaning their behaviour is extremely unpredictable.

It is imperative that children are aware of this as often enough they will question why they are not able to hold and interact with a wild animal but the game ranger at a game reserve can, it is vital that they understand that there are trained professionals who are skilled at handling and facilitating wildlife and that it does not mean they are allowed to do the same.

Animals act and react on instances we will not always understand as we aren’t able to speak to them about how they are feeling as we would with a fellow human being.

Animals communicate through their body language and their instincts and it is important to be aware of this and remind children to act with caution when around wild animals.

A great way for children to see and understand unpredictable behaviour In wild animals is to encourage them to watch shows and documentaries focusing on wild life (It is important for parents to monitor what shows are watched as some may be a bit scary depending on the age of your child.)

These shows are perfect in showcasing animals in their natural habitats and will be perfect for exposing children to the habits, lifestyles and behaviours of wild life as well as to certain characteristics pertaining to specific wildlife that they can then learn from and remember should they come across and animal of the same sorts. If this is not something that you as a parent would allow due to the age of your kids then a simple trip to a nearby Zoo or animal reserve would be the perfect place for your children to see first-hand how wild life behave and why it is so important to respect them.

When animal parks, reserves or lodges constantly remind you and your children not to touch or feed the animals, they are doing this for a very important reason. Wildlife behaviours are unpredictable and they may feel threatened by your child or as though the child is invading their territory. Teaching children to respect these guidelines and respect the lifestyles of the wild animals can start at home by teaching your children the difference between household animals such as dogs, cats and hamsters in comparison to the wildlife found not only in animal reserves or sanctuaries but also out and about in public.

A great way for children to better understand the respect that is needed when it comes to wildlife, is to substitute normal reading books for fun, educational books regarding animals or picture books. This is a great way for parents to point out the differences between wildlife animals such as Cheetahs or Eagles and household pets such as cats or budgies and educate children on how to respect and understand their differences.

Alongside this, sitting outside in your garden with your children and pointing out different wildlife and talking with them regarding the food that is around your garden for these animals to eat or shelter to protect themselves with. Not only is this a great way for children to observe different wildlife but it also builds their knowledge on wildlife that people may not focus on.