Today, 3 March 2016, marks UN World Wildlife Day, an event that celebrates and raises awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. This year's theme, “The future of wildlife is in our hands”, echoes Singita's practical approach to conservation, which seeks to protect and preserve Africa's most vulnerable ecosystems for future generations. This is achieved through sustainable, eco-friendly tourism and the support of local communities; a strategy that allows Singita to prioritise the wellbeing of its land and wildlife.

The biggest threats to wildlife are habitat loss as well as overgrazing, farming and development. Poaching and trafficking pose the most immediate threat to many iconic species, including some of the animals you will find across Singita's reserves in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Elephants, pangolins, rhinoceros and precious tree species are among the most critically poached and trafficked species across the world.

World Wildlife Day is a global occasion that provides the world’s governments, civil society and citizens a great opportunity to help raise awareness and to take actions in order to be part of the solution to ensuring wildlife conservation and combating wildlife crimes. You can add your voice to the call by spreading the message on social media that it's #InOurHands to make a difference. You can also visit the official website of #WWD2016 to get involved.

Sustainable tourism is what allows Singita to be able to carry out this important work and each guest represents a valuable contribution towards conservation measures in the reserve. Go to the Conservation section on our website to find out more about Singita's efforts to protect the earth's rapidly dimishing unspoilt wilderness.