To celebrate World Wildlife Day 2019 DOC is hosting an event at Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium in Auckland on Saturday 2 March, with a focus on marine species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora).
Green sea turtle at Kelly Tarlton’s – Credit: Kate Hamilton
We would love to see you and your family on Saturday! DOC CITES officers will be onsite at Kelly Tarlton’s from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday 2 March at an interactive table located near the ‘Rocky Pool’ exhibit. The station will include:
- a range of marine specimens from species listed under CITES on display (incl. coral, giant clam, nautilus and sea-turtle)
- a colouring in competition, word finder and quiz to do
- audio visual display explaining what CITES is and what work CITES officers do
- giveaways (such as World wildlife Day themed cotton bags and luggage tags)
- there is also a Toyota Kiwi Guardians adventure to complete so you can claim your medal
What is World Wildlife Day?
World Wildlife Day is celebrated each year on 3 March, the inaugural WWD was in 2014 with 3 March as the chosen date to mark the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on 3 March in 1973. The day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna (animals) and flora (plants) to ensure the international trade of these species is done sustainably and regulated by the 183 member parties (countries that signed up to CITES). Each year the CITES Secretariat (based in Geneva, Switzerland) sets a theme of focus for World Wildlife Day, this year the theme is: Life below water: for people and planet.
