Every year, on October 4, World Animal Day is celebrated. It is held to raise public awareness of the need to protect our environment.
The history of this day begins in 1925. It was first organized in Berlin by the German writer and animal rights activist Heinrich Zimmermann. He actively spread his idea and in 1931, the international congress of supporters of the animal rights movement, which took place in Florence (Italy), unanimously adopted a proposal to declare October 4 World Animal Day. The date was chosen in honor of the day of memory of the famous Catholic priest Francis of Assisi, who died on October 4, 1226. In Catholic culture, he is considered the patron saint of animals.
Every hour, three species of animals and about 70 species of flora and fauna of our planet disappear from the face of the Earth. The Earth's biological diversity is decreasing at an enormous pace.
The main factors that influence the disappearance of animals are the destruction of the natural environment, environmental pollution, poaching, climate change. Armed conflicts have a very negative impact on nature. Our country has not been spared by war. Many animals die from mines, shells, and shelling. Water and soil are polluted, territories are destroyed, and bird nesting and migration routes are disrupted. Sensing danger, animals leave their nests and burrows, leaving their offspring behind. Many rare and Red Book species are under threat of extinction due to the occupation of territories and loss of control over their ranges. During military conflicts, a ban on hunting is in effect, and this leads to an increase in the population of predators, which can lead to outbreaks of diseases, such as rabies. Animal species of the steppe zone, where the fiercest fighting takes place, are under the greatest threat. Most of the migratory corridors of birds now pass over the combat zone. All this causes birds to become restless, exhausted due to changing routes or lack of opportunity to rest, and to come under fire.
On this day, it is important for everyone to realize their responsibility towards animals and the opportunity to once again call on society to protect fauna in order to preserve life on Earth.
This day reminds everyone that animals also have the right to life. And on this day, each of us should think about what useful thing he has done to protect animals. We should feel responsible for the lives of our smaller brothers.
