World Wildlife Day - March 3, the UN observance on wild fauna and flora

World Wildlife Day on March 3 is a UN-recognised international observance celebrating wild animals and plants. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2013. Not a public holiday.

The one-line summary

UN-recognised international observance on March 3. Established in 2013. Coordinated by CITES. International category, minor tier.

Origin

World Wildlife Day was established by the UN General Assembly in Resolution 68/205 on December 20, 2013. The date of March 3 was chosen to mark the 1973 signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The first World Wildlife Day was observed on March 3, 2014.

CITES is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. As of 2024, CITES has 184 member states and lists approximately 40,000 species under various levels of protection.

When it falls

March 3, every year. World Wildlife Day is a fixed Gregorian date and does not move. The date coincides with the anniversary of the CITES signing.

How it is observed

World Wildlife Day is marked by UN events, CITES-led campaigns, school educational programmes, and wildlife-themed events at zoos, aquariums, and conservation organisations. Each year, a theme is chosen to highlight specific wildlife conservation priorities.

Recent themes have included "Sustaining all life on Earth" (2020), "Forests and livelihoods" (2021), "Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration" (2022), "Partnerships for wildlife conservation" (2023), "Connecting people and planet: digital innovation in wildlife conservation" (2024), and "Wildlife Conservation Finance" (2025).

Regional variations

World Wildlife Day is observed globally with particular emphasis in countries with significant biodiversity, including Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, and Australia. National wildlife organisations often host events and awareness campaigns.

Legal status

World Wildlife Day is not a public holiday in any country. It is an international observance recognised by the UN. Schools, government offices, and businesses generally remain open.

The biodiversity crisis

World Wildlife Day promotion is closely tied to the global biodiversity crisis. The UN's Global Biodiversity Outlook reports that wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% since 1970 according to the Living Planet Index. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed in 2022, sets targets for protecting 30% of land and ocean by 2030.

Major threats to wildlife include habitat destruction, over-exploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. World Wildlife Day campaigns typically address one or more of these threats in depth each year.

Key facts at a glance

• Date: March 3, fixed Gregorian date
• Category: International, minor tier
• Established: 2013 by UN General Assembly
• First observed: 2014
• Coordinator: CITES Secretariat
• Related: CITES, Convention on Biological Diversity
• Related SDG: SDG 15 (Life on Land)

World Wildlife Day FAQs

• When is World Wildlife Day? March 3, fixed Gregorian date.
• Who established it? The UN General Assembly in 2013.
• What does CITES do? Regulates international trade in endangered species.
• Is it a public holiday? No, it is an international observance.

Related environmental days

Related environmental days include World Environment Day on June 5, World Oceans Day on June 8, International Day of Forests on March 21, and International Biodiversity Day on May 22. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was the first major international environmental treaty.

Wildlife and biodiversity policy

World Wildlife Day messaging increasingly intersects with biodiversity policy frameworks. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, includes targets on protected areas, sustainable use, and reducing threats to species - many of which are featured on World Wildlife Day.

CITES, which coordinates the day, lists over 40,000 species in its appendices, regulating international trade in wildlife. World Wildlife Day events frequently highlight the work of customs agencies, conservation NGOs, and indigenous communities in protecting wildlife from illegal trade.

Illegal wildlife trade

Illegal wildlife trade is one of the most profitable criminal industries globally, valued at an estimated $7-23 billion per year by UNODC and INTERPOL. World Wildlife Day promotion regularly highlights enforcement efforts, demand reduction campaigns, and the role of consumers in stopping illegal trade.

CITES coordinates international enforcement through its National Management Authorities, which issue permits for trade in listed species. World Wildlife Day events have historically highlighted high-profile enforcement cases, including ivory seizures, pangolin scale confiscations, and the dismantling of trafficking networks.

Great apes and marine species

Recent World Wildlife Day themes have focused on great apes (2024: "Connecting People and Planet: Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation") and forests (2023: "Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation"). The annual themes are decided by the CITES Standing Committee and announced in the lead-up to March 3.

World Wildlife Day 2025 highlighted "Wildlife Conservation Finance," focusing on the role of public and private finance in protecting species and habitats. The 2026 theme is expected to focus on marine species and ocean conservation, in line with ongoing CITES work on sharks, rays, and coral reef species.

Wildlife and indigenous knowledge

Indigenous and local communities manage or co-manage many of the world’s most biodiverse regions. World Wildlife Day promotion increasingly highlights the role of indigenous knowledge in wildlife conservation, including traditional ecological calendars, sustainable hunting practices, and habitat management techniques.

CITES and partner organisations have worked with indigenous communities to develop co-management frameworks for protected species. World Wildlife Day events frequently feature case studies from regions where indigenous-led conservation has delivered measurable outcomes for wildlife populations.

Wildlife and climate change

Climate change is increasingly recognised as a major driver of wildlife loss. Shifting temperature and rainfall patterns are altering habitats, disrupting migration cycles, and increasing stress on already-threatened species. World Wildlife Day promotion frequently highlights climate-wildlife linkages, particularly for polar species, coral reef ecosystems, and mountain-dwelling wildlife.

CITES has adopted resolutions linking wildlife trade policy to climate change adaptation, recognising that climate-resilient conservation requires integrated approaches. World Wildlife Day events have featured discussions on climate-driven range shifts, ecosystem-based adaptation, and the role of wildlife in climate regulation.

CITES in 2026 and beyond

CITES operates through triennial meetings of the Conference of the Parties (CoP), the most recent of which was CoP19 in Panama in 2022. The next CoP20 is scheduled for 2025. World Wildlife Day promotion frequently highlights outcomes from these meetings, including decisions on listing species in CITES appendices and on enforcement priorities.

Recent CoP decisions have tightened regulation of shark and ray trade, expanded protections for tropical timber species, and increased scrutiny of captive-breeding operations for reptiles and birds. World Wildlife Day events have showcased enforcement actions and partnerships between CITES, INTERPOL, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which coordinate the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC).

Looking ahead, CITES is expected to focus increasingly on the intersection of wildlife trade with climate change, illegal online trade, and the role of emerging technologies such as DNA forensics in enforcement. World Wildlife Day will continue to provide an annual platform to spotlight these developments.

World Wildlife Day by the numbers

Sources

• UN General Assembly Resolution 68/205 (2013).
• CITES Secretariat, Convention text and membership records.
• UN Global Biodiversity Outlook.
• Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022).