Celebrate the wonders of the animal kingdom this WORLD ANIMAL DAY by getting the facts about the species we share our planet with — and the ones that need our help the most.
Today is an exciting day at VAKOVAKO — not only because it’s the official launch of our global giving app — but because it’s a day for animals…all 2.13 million of them!
We can wildly believe it!
- It’s not conclusive how many animals there are in the world — because even after 200 years of classification, we still haven’t seen them all. But popular estimates suggest 2.13 million animals exist today, although others believe this number could actually be as high as 100 million.
- Nearly all (97%) of animals are invertebrates — including insects, which, by some estimates, there are nearly 10 quintillion of them.
- Despite only 8% being protected, oceans contain the majority of animal biomass.
The most at risk, the most in need — the ones you can help today.
While the numbers above may seem large in scale, they are still vulnerable. There is an estimated 42,100 species threatened with extinction, 16,000 of which are believed to be ENDANGERED. This October, VAKOVAKO is giving a platform to those that don’t typically get the spotlight, including:
- Sawfish — These creatures — which are more closely related to rays than they are sharks and have been known for virgin births — have faced severe population declines due to overfishing and habitat loss. Check out more interesting information about this remarkable species — and what we risk in losing them to extinction — this International Sawfish day on October 17.
- Okapi — Known as the “forest giraffe,” these animals are thought to be one of the oldest mammals on the planet, despite having only been discovered in the early 20th century. Sadly their numbers are falling due to deforestation, mining and poaching. Check out more fascinating facts about the okapi — and learn what we would lose if they go extinct — on October 20 in honor of World Okapi Day.
- Snow Leopard — These big cats — who can withstand climates that are as cold as -40°C (-40°F) — may be listed as vulnerable, but they aren’t out of the extinction woods yet, with fewer than 10,000 mature individuals in the wild. Learn more about these elusive creatures — and what we would lose if they go extinct — on October 23 in honor of World Snow Leopard Day.
- Numbat — This small marsupial, also known as the “banded anteater,” can eat up to 20,000 termites a day. Unfortunately, they endangered, their numbers now only at 2,000. Come back on November 4, World Numbat Day, to learn more about these peculiar creatures and the other endangered neighbors with whom they share their home.
With so many animals at risk of extinction, ending animal ENDANGERMENT may feel like an insurmountable problem to overcome. Despite this, there exists organizations who aren’t giving up in the fight to uphold animal welfare and ensure wildlife conservation. But they can’t do it alone — they need you.
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ENDANGERED or not — every animal matters.
Donate to WORLD ANIMAL DAY with #VAKOVAKO all month long.
