The United Nations General Assembly declared March 3rd as World Wildlife Day (WWD) in 2013, as it marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
The theme for 2025 focuses on more effective and sustainable financing for wildlife conservation and building a more resilient future for people and the planet. Current financial resources are insufficient for governments to meet national biodiversity targets. According to data from the WWD website, approximately $140 billion is invested annually in biodiversity conservation, while real needs are estimated at as much as $820 billion.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has set a goal of securing at least $200 billion annually for biodiversity protection and conservation. Additionally, it aims to eliminate or reform subsidies harmful to nature by 2030.
Innovative financial mechanisms, such as Wildlife Conservation Bonds, are also being developed. This financial instrument, introduced by the World Bank, allows private investors to fund nature conservation projects, such as protecting rhinos and their habitats. Instead of relying solely on donations, investors receive returns based on achieved results, while the Global Environment Facility helps mitigate risks.
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As an additional incentive for investing in biodiversity conservation, it is highlighted that half of the global GDP depends on nature. For instance, the fisheries sector contributes more than 10 percent of GDP in some countries, yet more than a third of marine fish populations are threatened due to overfishing.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warns that populations of more than 5,000 vertebrate species have declined by an average of 73 percent over just 50 years.
Therefore, March 3rd, 2025, is dedicated to knowledge exchange and exploring innovative financial solutions for wildlife conservation, which is being discussed today at the United Nations’ central celebration in Geneva.
Wildlife Conservation in Serbia
According to the Institute for Nature Conservation, a total of 860 wild species of plants, animals, and fungi have been granted protected status in Serbia, while the number of strictly protected species stands at 1,783. These include species that have disappeared from Serbia but have been reintroduced through conservation programs, as well as those that are endangered or specific to this region.
In anticipation of this World Wildlife Day, WWF Adria has installed five camera traps on Stara Planina to monitor the movements of large carnivores—bears, wolves, and lynxes. The goal is to determine the extent to which climate change has affected the corridors used by these animals.
According to this organization, the most significant causes of wildlife loss include agricultural expansion and urban development, deforestation, overfishing, the use of unsustainable energy sources, and pollution of seas, waters, and land. These factors lead to habitat loss, water depletion, and the climate crisis.
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