Recently updated on July 10th, 2023 at 01:19 pm
One of the most amazing parts of traveling is getting to enjoy rare wildlife from all around the globe. While seeing these animals in their natural habitats can be an incredible experience, it’s important to recognize the impact that humans have unfortunately had on these habitats and the creatures who call them home. May 15th is National Endangered Species Day, so we are exploring the ways we can all help make a difference and preserve creatures around the world.
As a company committed to travelling responsibly and to making travel matter, we are proud to be doing our part to help conserve wildlife through our JoinTrafalgar initiatives. Today, we are happy to share with you 7 actions you can personally take to help protect the world’s most endangered species.
1 Get educated about the situation
Animals like wolves, pandas, gorillas, tigers and more are some of the world’s most endangered species, nearing the brink of extinction. While it’s sad to think of these animals not being around anymore, it is also important to understand the bigger implications of the situation. The first step to making a difference, is to educate yourself.
Animals are going extinct at far faster rates than in previous years, which has had a negative impact on the world as a whole. Many environments rely on animals to sustain them, which is why it is so important to help preserve these creatures. From bees who pollinate plants to wolves who help regulate the food supply for other animals, endangered species have serious effects on the health of an ecosystem.
However, there is hope. Great strides have been made in recent years to restore these animal populations and many are on their way to being removed from the endangered species list due to the efforts of individuals just like you.
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2 Understand more about the products you use
While making a difference can sound intimidating at first, there are so many simple things you can do to help in your everyday life. It is important to know what goes into the products you’re using and make a conscious effort to avoid buying problematic goods.
Don’t worry. It’s easier than you think. Skip single use plastics wherever possible, try to avoid paper products that aren’t recyclable and think twice before buying certain items. For example, refusing to buy items made from palm oil can make a big difference, as it is grown in large plantations which are contributing to the displacement of wildlife. So, next time you’re picking up some peanut butter or trying out a new shade of lipstick, be sure to check the label.
3 Recycle
Buying eco-friendly products and eliminating single use plastics is important. However, sometimes it’s impossible to avoid waste. Another small way you can help make a big difference is by recycling in order to ensure garbage stays away from our ecosystems and, as a result, away from our endangered species.
4 Help conserve water
One major contributing factor to extinction is the unavailability of water due to droughts. Thus, reducing your water consumption is another way you can help make a change for good. Take slightly shorter showers, turn the water off while you brush your teeth and be considerate of your usage. These small things can have a ripple effect in the best way.
5 Volunteer
Ready to get out there and make a real difference? Looking for something more hands-on? Volunteering is a great way to get more involved in conservation efforts and there are many ways to help protect endangered species by doing so. Whether you decide to donate your time to a local sanctuary or zoo, or head to the troubled habitats themselves, volunteering can be a wonderful way to get up-close to some of the world’s most endangered animals. Plus, it is also a great way to make travel matter.
You can head to places like Greece and Costa Rice to help protect sea turtles, which are becoming endangered at alarming rates. You could protest rhino poaching in South Africa, volunteer with Asian elephants in Thailand or visit locations where animals are nearing the endangered status. By traveling to these locations and volunteering your time, you can truly help save some of the most endangered species.
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6 Advocate for endangered species
While volunteering is amazing, creating awareness is also important. Vote for laws that help conservation efforts, contribute financially if you can and be sure to talk about the issue at hand. By advocating for endangered species you’ll shed light on a difficult subject and encourage others to help as well.
7 Support organizations
Whether you visit zoos or sanctuaries that focus on the rehabilitation and preservation of the world’s most endangered species, donate to the World Wildlife Fund, or simply help spread the word about ways to help make a difference, supporting organizations working toward real change is a crucial way to have an impact.
With some small changes and hard work, we can help reverse some of the damage that has already been done and make sure other amazing animals don’t become endangered. By doing so, we can ensure these beautiful creatures will be enjoyed by other travelers for years to come, help preserve our environment and make the world a better place.
What are you doing to help the world’s most endangered species? Let us know in the comments.