subject: Get "evolved" for World Animal Month [print this page] Much NFL jersey attention is focused on OctMuch NFL jersey attention is focused on Oct. 4, otherwise known as World Animal Day. It began in 1931 as a way to highlight the plight of endangered animals around the world.
Oct. 4 was chosen because it is the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. Today, local news often carries stories about blessings of pets and animals by local churches.
But the celebration has expanded far beyond its roots. In 2009, events were held in more than 80 countries, for people of all beliefs and nationalities. This mlb jerseys year, hundreds of events are planned during World Animal Month.
For example, a road race in Guam will highlight the plight of the country's near-extinct Ko'ko bird, and villagers in China's Yunnan Province will learn how using fuel-efficient solar water heaters protect the Yunnan Golden Monkey by reducing the need to take firewood from their habitat.
All of these efforts and many more are needed if we are going make a difference for the world's animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that more than 9,200 animal species worldwide are threatened or endangered. However, only a small portion of these species have legal protections.
In this state we're in, almost 80 animal species are officially listed as threatened or endangered by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Over 100 more are considered species of "special NFL jerseyconcern" on their way to threatened status if something doesn't change.
But the issue is bigger than a few species. The trend lines are alarming for a wide variety of even common animals.
Take, for example, birds, bees and bats. A National Audubon Society report in 2007 found populations of common birds in serious decline. Since 1967, the average population of those in steepest decline was down by more than 80 percent, and half the populations of 20 species listed as "national common birds in decline" disappeared in just 40.
