World Wildlife Day
A/RES/68/205
A/RES/68/205
This authority record treats the observance as a fixed annual date. The same month and day can be reused unless a stronger source changes the rule. Public-holiday or government status is never inferred from the observance name alone.
Overview
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 it 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
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 is assembled only from verified provenance fields. Missing stages are omitted rather than inferred.
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
Verified institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Fields that the reviewed sources do not establish remain fail-closed and are available below without competing with the confirmed record.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
Ways to observe
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.
Useful 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.
The first World Wildlife Day was celebrated on 3 March 2014.
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
Repeated links from the authority record, institutional provenance and editorial guide research are consolidated here. Badges show how each source is used; a contextual source is never treated as proof of establishment on its own.
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 use reviewed distinctions and related authority records to understand where this observance fits.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Wildlife Day?
3 March The stored recurrence guidance is: 3 March.
Does World Wildlife Day fall on the same date every year?
The authority record classifies it as fixed annual, so its month and day are reusable unless stronger evidence changes the rule.
Is World Wildlife Day an official public holiday?
The authority record verifies 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 the supporting authority record explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Wildlife Day?
The reviewed provenance layer identifies 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 record has international or global institutional scope: 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 layer is source-backed and keeps its date rule, scope, provenance and editorial guardrails attached to the authority record. This record 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 records also resolve to March 3, 2027 under the current authority data.
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™
The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) identifies March 3 as Global Omega-3 Day and states that GOED created the campaign.
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
Drinks Ireland’s Irish Whiskey Association marks International Irish Whiskey Day on March 3, and established drinks-calendar guidance lists the same date for 2026.
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 Labour Code lists March 3 as Mother’s Day among statutory holidays.