NAIROBI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- The iconic wildlife species that roam Africa's jungles face an uncertain future under threat from unsustainable practices such as illegal hunting, campaigners said on Monday to mark World Wildlife Day.

Some of the wildlife species that are part of the continent's heritage, including elephants, rhinos, and big cats, are grappling with poaching and habitat destruction, according to Edith Kabesiime, wildlife campaign manager at the World Animal Protection, an international animal welfare charity.

According to Kabesiime, Africa's wildlife is reeling from immense pressure, fueled by human behavior alongside climatic shocks, exploitative policies, and chronic underfunding of conservation programs.

"Every year, thousands of wild animals are poached, trafficked, bred, and farmed in inhumane and cruel conditions," Kabesiime said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

She called for enhanced protection of wildlife species in their natural habitats, rather than raising them in cages for sport hunting and social prestige.

Kabesiime also stressed that adequate resourcing is key to sustaining wildlife conservation in Africa, adding that the ecological balance that wildlife provides outweighs any immediate financial gains.

This year's World Wildlife Day was celebrated under the theme of "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet," underscoring the centrality of funding in securing a sustainable future for majestic species.

While acknowledging that Africa is home to some of the world's unique wildlife species, campaigners said the continent should urgently halt the expansion of captive farming for commercial gains.

Long-term interventions to avert the extinction of rare wildlife species on the continent include setting aside sufficient resources in annual budgets to support conservation. Raising awareness and pushing for policy reforms are also key to ending the exploitation of wild animals through captive farming to offer entertainment, according to World Animal Protection.

The charity called for the promotion of harmonious coexistence between wildlife and communities, support for ethical tourism, and the strengthening of wildlife conservation laws.

World Wildlife Day, which is observed annually on March 3, was established by the United Nations in 2013 to raise awareness and celebrate the contributions of wild animals and plant species to human survival. Enditem

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