World Animal Day 2024: when, history, traditions

World Animal Day 2024: when, history, traditions

Content

  1. When do we celebrate and why on this day?
  2. How Animal Protection Day is celebrated: traditions and events in 2024
  3. Statistics
  4. Interesting facts about wild and domestic animals

When do we celebrate and why on this day?

Animal Welfare Day is celebrated around the world on October 4th. In 2024, the holiday falls on a Friday.

Francis of Assisi. Miniature from the 14th century. National Library (Rome). Unknown artist. Photo: National Library (Rome) / wikipeida.org

In 1925, Polish writer and activist Heinrich Zimmermann decided to organize an event dedicated to animals in Berlin. He actively spoke about the initiative in his magazine “Man and Dog”. The event took place on March 25, attracted 5 thousand people and became the first unofficial animal protection day.

In 1929, Zimmerman proposed celebrating World Animal Day on October 4, the day of St. Francis of Assisi. This saint could communicate with animals. On icons and frescoes, Francis was often depicted surrounded by animals; one of the most common episodes is how the saint reads a sermon to the birds, urging them to praise the Lord.

In May 1931, at a congress of supporters of nature protection in Italy, they decided to officially make October 4 World Animal Protection Day.

How to celebrate

Animal Protection Day is a good reason to make our world a better place or learn something new about our little brothers. On October 4 you can:

  • Make a donation. On this day, foundations hold events aimed at raising funds to help endangered species. In addition, shelters and organizations that help animals are always in need of funds.

For example, in the village of Bubonitsy, Tver Region, there is a center for rescuing orphaned bear cubs. Here, babies who were left without a mother at an early age are nursed and prepared for independent life in the wild. After the cubs are released into the wild, the center’s workers monitor their adaptation. The organization is able to continue its activities thanks to the support of caring people – donations can be made on the center’s website.

The Wildlife Hospital Foundation is another place where wild animals are rescued, treated, and then helped back into their native environment. The project was created by veterinarians. You can also help him by making a donation.

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  • Become a volunteer at a shelter. During the holiday, many organizations also hold open days. Volunteers are very needed to take care of animals, walk with them and foster them.
  • Adopt a pet from a shelter. On October 4th, such organizations often organize exhibitions of animals that you can take home.
  • Attend an event at a zoo, nature reserve or wildlife sanctuary. For example, in the Caucasus Nature Reserve named after. H.G. Shaposhnikov Department of Environmental Education traditionally holds events dedicated to Animal Protection Day: lectures, open meetings, classes, excursions. In 2024, events are planned on the territory of the Laura and Guzeripl ecocenters.

Also, the center for rehabilitation of wild animals “House of the Hare” (Moscow) is holding a conference “Current issues of veterinary medicine of wild animals and biodiversity conservation”, which you can attend as a spectator.

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Numbers

  1. According to statistics from VTsIOM, more than half of Russians (66%) have pets. Moreover, there are more cat owners (49%) than dog owners (34%).
  2. As for shelters, according to the Animal Welfare Association, in Russia there are 74 temporary detention centers, 125 state shelters, 622 private shelters (excluding Moscow) and 401 public organizations (excluding Moscow and the Moscow region).
  3. In Russia, most rare animal species are concentrated in the southern part of Siberia, the Far East and the Caucasus. There are fewer and fewer of them due to human destruction of species habitats, poaching, and climate change.
Squirrel on a tree

Photo: Alexey Danichev/RIA Novosti

Interesting facts

  1. The analogue of the Russian Red Book in European countries is the “red lists”. China has the White Paper and the List of Nationally Protected Wildlife of China, and the United States has the Endangered Species Act.
  2. In Mexico, they created not just a Red Book, but an entire art project dedicated to endangered species – Rexistencia. The name combines the words “sustainability” and “existence.” The publication includes text in silk-screen printing and images of animals – tapir, manatee, axolotl, black bear, sea bakita and other rare species of Mexico.
  3. The Amur tiger (listed in the Red Book of Russia) can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h, that is, move at the average speed of a car. This predator loves water – it swims well and even hunts in water.
  4. Scientists have found that polar bears listed in the Red Book can differ in character. Among them there are homebodies who prefer to stay in one place all their lives, and there are travel lovers who travel thousands of kilometers in search of food.
  5. Bison (also listed in the Red Book) and bison are often confused. These species can interbreed and produce offspring – bison, which are larger than them.

Source: rg.ru