National Wildlife Day was founded in 2005 by animal behaviourist and philanthropist Colleen Paige, and takes place twice a year on February 22nd and September 4th 🐾

Its mission is to “bring awareness of endangered animals nationally as well as globally, that need to be preserved and rescued from their demise each year, but also to acknowledge zoos and outstanding animal sanctuaries globally for everything they do to help preserve this planet’s animals and educate the public about conservation — especially to children….our animal’s future caretakers and conservationists.”

Exact Editions couldn’t agree more. To mark the occasion, we’ve handpicked four interesting (and sometimes harrowing) articles from the digital archives of our publishing partners to share for a limited time only. 

Whether you’re fanatical about flamingos, are interested in wildlife tourism or are a keen birdwatcher, there’s something for you — so get reading!

BBC Wildlife Magazine ‘In The Pink’ (November 2016) 🦩

“Colour is integral to flamingo society; intensity and brightness of hue are used by birds to select partners and to signal intention to breed.”

In the November 2016 issue of BBC Wildlife Magazine, wildlife photographer Alejandro Prieto documents Caribbean flamingos in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

Did you know that the milk that flamingos to feed their young drains them on their colour? This is your chance to learn more fascinating facts about these pink marvels and pore over the magnificent shots of the birds in their stunning wetland habitat. 

Read the full article, pages 84–91, here.

Geographical ‘Latin America’s Big Cat Problem’ (July 2020) 🐆

“Despite being listed as an Appendix I species under CITES since 1975, which prohibits all international trade of jaguar products for commercial purposes, conservationists believe that jaguar parts, including canines, skulls, and skins are increasingly being sold for jewellery, decoration, and traditional medicine.”

Back in July 2020, Geographical reported on the growth of a disturbing industry – trafficking jaguar parts, particularly in China. As relations between Latin America and Asia strengthen, criminologists and conservationists are concerned that a formal market for trafficked jaguar parts could reverse conservation progress.

Read the full article, pages 26–33, here.

BirdWatching ‘A Year with Carolina Wrens’ (August 2020) 🐦

“Carolina Wrens tend to use the same territory year after year, so it’s a pretty safe bet that the pair that roosted on our porch the previous winter are the same birds that have raised their young around our house for the past three years.”

The August 2020 issue of BirdWatching shines a spotlight on Carolina Wrens, the ‘hard, honey-voiced songbirds of the East’. The birds form lifelong pair bonds and stay together all year (how lovely!), defending a home territory of 1–15 acres.

Read the full article, pages 20–25, here.

New Internationalist ‘Beyond The Tourist Trail’ (January/February 2021) 📸

“Around the world, wildlife tourism supports 21.8 million jobs. Before the crisis, it was contributing $23.9 billion a year to the African economy. Gorilla tourism in Uganda alone brings in an estimated $34.3 million and contributes 60 per cent of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s revenue. But, according to the World Tourism Organization, visitor numbers to Africa last summer were down by 99 per cent.”

In the January/February 2021 issue of New Internationalist, Graeme Green speaks with local experts about why wildlife protection in Africa and Asia must push beyond relying on international visitors and foreign professionals towards sustainable, locally led initiatives.

Read the full article, pages 24–27, here.

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Access to the digital magazine issues included in this post will be active until the 4th November 2021.

Fully-searchable digital subscriptions to BBC Wildlife Magazine, Geographical, BirdWatching & New Internationalist are all available in the Exact Editions individual and institutional shops.