World Wildlife Day2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/68/205
About World Wildlife Day
World Wildlife Day is the United Nations observance held on 3 March to celebrate and raise awareness of wild animals and plants and the conservation challenges they face.
The date has a direct connection to international wildlife law: 3 March is the anniversary of the 1973 adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Why World Wildlife Day matters
Wildlife conservation involves habitats, species, ecosystems, local communities, sustainable use and the regulation of activities such as international trade. The observance is therefore broader than celebrating charismatic animals.
Responsible activities should avoid disturbing wild animals, encouraging illegal wildlife trade or presenting conservation as separate from the people and communities who live alongside wildlife.
History of World Wildlife Day
At CITES CoP16 in Bangkok in 2013, the Government of Thailand recommended declaring 3 March World Wildlife Day and inviting the United Nations General Assembly to recognize the observance.
On 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 March as World Wildlife Day through resolution 68/205. The date marks the adoption of CITES on 3 March 1973.
The first World Wildlife Day was celebrated on 3 March 2014. The CITES Secretariat, working with relevant UN organizations, facilitates implementation of the global observance.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Government of Thailand (through CITES CoP16)
CITES CoP16 document 24 records the Government of Thailand recommending a resolution to declare 3 March World Wildlife Day and invite the UN General Assembly to do the same; the UN World Wildlife Day background likewise identifies Thailand as sponsor of the CITES resolution.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution 68/205
First documented observance
CITES records that the first World Wildlife Day celebrations took place on 3 March 2014.
CITES Secretariat
The UN General Assembly designated the CITES Secretariat as facilitator for the global observance, and CITES continues to coordinate World Wildlife Day implementation.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe World Wildlife Day
Learn about a native species or habitat in your area using a credible conservation, park or scientific source.
Join a habitat-restoration or citizen-science activity that follows local conservation guidance.
Choose wildlife tourism and viewing practices that do not feed, handle, chase or disturb wild animals.
Learn how legal and illegal wildlife trade can affect species, and avoid purchasing products whose wildlife origin is unclear.
Support a reputable conservation organization or community-led project with transparent goals and evidence of responsible practice.
World Wildlife Day Facts
World Wildlife Day is observed on 3 March.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed the day in 2013 through resolution 68/205.
The Government of Thailand initiated the proposal through CITES CoP16.
3 March is the anniversary of the 1973 adoption of CITES.
The observance covers wild fauna and flora, not animals alone.
CITES helps regulate international trade in listed wild species so trade does not threaten their survival.
For World Wildlife Day, the first World Wildlife Day was celebrated on 3 March 2014.
World Wildlife Day Messages
Wishing everyone marking World Wildlife Day a day of discovery, respect for nature and care that continues beyond today.
On World Wildlife Day, may appreciation for the natural world lead to informed stewardship and practical care for the places and species around us.
May World Wildlife Day inspire curiosity about the living world and thoughtful action to protect it.
Celebrate World Wildlife Day by learning from credible conservation sources and choosing one practical way to reduce harm or support protection.
World Wildlife Day Quotes
“We depend on nature. Let’s show that nature can depend on us -- and act now to protect it.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
CITES CoP16 Doc. 24 (Rev. 1) — Government of Thailand proposal for World Wildlife Day (opens in a new tab)
CITES Secretariat — first World Wildlife Day celebrations (2014) (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/68/205 action note 20 December 2013 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — World Wildlife Day (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
United Nations — World Wildlife Day background (opens in a new tab)
CITES Secretariat — UNGA-designated facilitator for World Wildlife Day (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Wildlife Day?
3 March The documented recurrence rule is: 3 March.
Does World Wildlife Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is World Wildlife Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations international observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Wildlife Day?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Government of Thailand (through CITES CoP16). Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as CITES Secretariat.
Is World Wildlife Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations international observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
Why is World Wildlife Day on 3 March?
The date marks the 1973 adoption of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
When did the UN create World Wildlife Day?
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 March as World Wildlife Day in December 2013 through resolution 68/205.
How can I celebrate without disturbing wildlife?
Choose activities such as habitat restoration, responsible observation, learning from conservation experts and supporting credible projects rather than handling, feeding or chasing wild animals.
Other observances on March 3
These observances are also listed on March 3, 2027.
303 Day
Roland describes 303 Day as the TB-303 celebration day observed every year on 3 March and documents the inaugural 303 Day on 3 March 2019.
Global Omega-3 Day™
GOED states that it created Global Omega-3 Day™ on March 3 and continues to coordinate the campaign; its 2022 annual report calls 2022 the second annual edition, supporting a 2021 first edi…
Hina Matsuri / Doll’s Festival / Girls’ Day
The Japan National Tourism Organization describes the third day of the third month as the annual Hina Matsuri or Doll’s Festival/Girls’ Day celebration in Japan.
International Irish Whiskey Day
Creator and professional-profile evidence identifies Stuart McNamara as creator, with conception in 2016; a Galway Town Hall Theatre programme documents the launch in March 2017, while curr…
Martyrs’ Day
Malawi government material states that Martyrs’ Day is observed annually on 3 March to honor those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and self-rule.
Mother’s Day
Article 30 of Georgia’s current Labour Code lists March 3 as Mother’s Day among statutory holidays; the Public Defender states that the date has been celebrated in Georgia since 1991.