Today is World Wetlands Day, Happy World Wetlands Day!
World Wetlands Day happens on the 2nd of February every year. Wetlands Day is a great day to celebrate the world's wetlands and the animals that are found in them. Many different species of animals are found in wetlands across the world. Some of these animals are big, while others are small.
One species of animal that is found in wetlands in the wild of South America is Jaguars. Jaguars are one of the few big cat species that exist in the world today. Recently, Jaguars were reintroduced into the Ibera wetlands after 70 years of being absent from the Ibera wetlands. Jaguars are found in the world's largest wetland: the world's largest wetland is the Pantanal wetlands.
It is estimated that there are over 2,000 wetlands in the world today.
What Are Wetlands?
Wetlands are place in the world where the land is covered by water.
Wetlands are important for both humans and animals. They are a source for the water we drink, and, help to clean the water that we drink - this goes for animals too. They are also an important place for animals because many different animals in the wild rely on wetlands for their survival, including endangered animals.
There are many different endangered animals that are found in and rely on, wetlands today. Some of the endangered animals that are found in wetlands in the wild are tigers. One of the habitats that tigers are found in is swamps - swamps are a forested wetland. To save tigers, we need to save habitats like forested swamps.
So many different animals depend on wetlands for their survival. But sadly, wetlands across the world have declined dramatically in the last 100 years.
The Decline Of Wetlands
Sadly there has been a decline in wetlands over recent decades.
In 2018, it was reported that wetlands were declining three times faster than forests. A worrying sign for the world's wetlands. It is estimated that more than 64% of the world's wetlands have been destroyed and lost since 1900.
Wetlands have been lost the world over.
Not only does the loss and decline of wetlands make us lose a beautiful and valuable ecosystem, it also harms the animals that rely on them. For example, in Great Britain, it is estimated that 13% of wetland species, are at risk of extinction today, this includes animals like the natterjack toad, the curlew and the water vole. Many different beautiful animals are at risk of going extinct because of wetlands being lost, which is one good reason of many to save wetlands.
Wetlands Day
Wetlands Day is a great day to raise awareness about the world's wetlands and celebrate the beautiful animals that live within them.
Happy Wetlands Day!
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