Wondrous Wildlife

Commended Entry: "Wondrous Wildlife" by Elise Doecke from Australia

This article was submitted in the Kids World Travel Guide Essay Competition 2023 in the Senior Category 12 - 15 years.

Wondrous Wildlife

Have you ever realised what impact your actions have on wildlife? It’s a question not many people think to ask themselves.

Did you know at least seven species of animal have gone extinct since the 1900’s? But, thanks to animal conservation parks and not for profit organisations this has changed. Only one known species of animal has gone extinct since 2000.

This is thanks to many efforts, such as the effort of WWF or World Wildlife Fund. This particular organisation helps fight for a secure future for every animal. It found that there’s been a fifty-eight percent decline in populations of vertebrates between 1970 and 2012. WWF has been trying to stop this, and, has been continuing to make progress by saving many animal lives. Rachel Lowry was WWF’s Australian Chief Conservation Officer in 2020. Animals had always been a huge part of her life and she decided to pursue her love of animals by working within the zoo-based conservation sector. The more she learnt about the impacts of climate change, increasing food security issues, and, accelerating biodiversity loss, the more eager she was to help fight for the different and unique species of this Earth.

The truth is, all of us can do something to help protect wildlife. Even if it’s just a small thing, like buying recycled paper to stop animals losing their habitats, or even donating to an organisation that helps protect the wildlife. All over the world there are safari parks, animal sanctuaries, zoos, and animal reserves that help contribute to the worldwide effort of looking after planet.

Ten endangered species have been saved from extinction by zoos. These species are, the Belling River snapping turtle, Regent honeyeater, Scimitar oryx, Panamanian golden frog, Amur leopard, Przewalski's horse, Black-footed ferret, Golden lion tamarin, Arabian oryx, and California condor.

There are many animals on this planet, all so wonderfully and complexly made. But the platypus is one of Nature’s true stars. This interesting mammal is located in Australia. As one of Australia's iconic animals, the platypus is recognised for some of it's interesting features. One of these being that, platypuses lay eggs, while as a mammal, it is unusual for this to be the case, as mammals are characterised by the fact that they have fur or hair, are warm blooded, and give birth to live young. Another one of the platypus’s interesting features is that they have bills. All this led scientists to believe the platypus was a hoax when it was first discovered. But now, of course, we know better.

Another one of nature’s stars is the Chameleon. What makes it so fascinating is it’s ability to change colour. It is thought that the reason for this is their emotions. But more so in the way of mating, fighting opposing males, and as a sign of submission. The chameleon has even been featured in one of Disney's best movies, Tangled. Pascal is Rapunzel's animal companion, but is shown to change colour to camouflage, or to convey a message.

But after all this, the real question is, will you help? You are held responsible for your actions. And together on earth we are responsible for looking after the beautiful creation all around us.

Do your part. Save our world.

Congratulations on your essay "Wondrous Wildlife", Elise. What a wonderful elaboration of our topic "Wildlife - Nature's Stars". You were a strong contender for the award! Well done!

Elise Doecke attends Temple Christian College Mile End in Adelaide/ Australia. English as First Language.