Wildlife refuge
Encyclopedia
A wildlife refuge, also called a wildlife sanctuary, may be a naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island
, that provides protection for species
from hunting
, predation
or competition, or it may refer to a protected area
, a geographic territory within which wildlife
is protected. Such wildlife refuges are generally officially designated territories, created by government legislation
, though the land itself may be publicly or privately owned. Also, the Chernobyl nuclear accident site has accidentally become a wildlife refuge..it preserves the animals that are endangered or going to be extinct.
, Sri Lanka
as a sanctuary for wildlife, probably the first of its kind in the ancient world. According to stone inscriptions found in the vicinity, the king commanded the people not to harm animals or destroy trees within the area.
The first American wildlife refuge, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
, was established by Theodore Roosevelt
in 1903 as part of his Square Deal
campaign to improve America
. At the time, setting aside land for wildlife was not a constitutional
right of the president. More recently, a bi-partisan group of US House of Representatives members established the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
to further the needs of the National Wildlife Refuge System in the US Congress.
Today there are several national and international organisations that have taken the responsibility of supervising numerous systems of non-profit sanctuaries
and refuges in order to provide a general system for sanctuaries to follow. Among them, the American Sanctuary Association monitors and aids in various facilities to care for exotic wildlife. Their accredited facilities follow high standards and a rigid application processes to ensure that the animals under their care are avidly cared for and maintained.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
, that provides protection for species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
from hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, predation
Predation
In ecology, predation describes a biological interaction where a predator feeds on its prey . Predators may or may not kill their prey prior to feeding on them, but the act of predation always results in the death of its prey and the eventual absorption of the prey's tissue through consumption...
or competition, or it may refer to a protected area
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
, a geographic territory within which wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
is protected. Such wildlife refuges are generally officially designated territories, created by government legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
, though the land itself may be publicly or privately owned. Also, the Chernobyl nuclear accident site has accidentally become a wildlife refuge..it preserves the animals that are endangered or going to be extinct.
History
In the 3rd century BC, King Devanampiya Tissa declared the area around MihintaleMihintale
Mihintale is a mountain peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
as a sanctuary for wildlife, probably the first of its kind in the ancient world. According to stone inscriptions found in the vicinity, the king commanded the people not to harm animals or destroy trees within the area.
The first American wildlife refuge, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located just off the western coast of Orchid Island in the Indian River Lagoon east of Sebastian, Florida. The refuge consists of a island that includes an additional of surrounding water and is located off the...
, was established by Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
in 1903 as part of his Square Deal
Square Deal
The Square Deal was President Theodore Roosevelt's domestic program formed upon three basic ideas: conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection...
campaign to improve America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. At the time, setting aside land for wildlife was not a constitutional
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
right of the president. More recently, a bi-partisan group of US House of Representatives members established the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus
The Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus is a large bi-partisan Congressional Member Organization in the U.S. House of Representatives formed to support the National Wildlife Refuge System through legislation, funding, and education.-History:...
to further the needs of the National Wildlife Refuge System in the US Congress.
Today there are several national and international organisations that have taken the responsibility of supervising numerous systems of non-profit sanctuaries
Animal sanctuary
An animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. Unlike animal shelters, sanctuaries do not seek to place animals with individuals or groups, instead maintaining each animal until his or her natural death...
and refuges in order to provide a general system for sanctuaries to follow. Among them, the American Sanctuary Association monitors and aids in various facilities to care for exotic wildlife. Their accredited facilities follow high standards and a rigid application processes to ensure that the animals under their care are avidly cared for and maintained.
See also
- Animal sanctuaryAnimal sanctuaryAn animal sanctuary is a facility where animals are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. Unlike animal shelters, sanctuaries do not seek to place animals with individuals or groups, instead maintaining each animal until his or her natural death...
- Conservation areaConservation areaA conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...
- Crown Game PreserveCrown Game PreserveA Crown Game Preserve is an officially designated natural area in Ontario, Canada, "primarily for the purpose of sustaining populations of game animals". Hunting is not permitted or strictly regulated, making it akin to a wildlife refuge...
— designation of wildlife refuges in Ontario, Canada - Elephant sanctuaryElephant sanctuaryElephant sanctuary may refer to:* A wildlife refuge for elephants*Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand*Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Kenya*The Elephant Sanctuary , Tennessee* The Elephant Sanctuary Plettenberg Bay, South Africa...
- Fossil ParkFossil parkA fossil park is a protected area with rich deposits of fossils. Fossil parks may be used in educating the public, and there are many fossil parks all over the world.-See also:* Paleorrota* List of Fossil Parks* Fossils* Fossil Hunters* Rockhounding...
- National ParkNational parkA national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
- National Wildlife Refuge AssociationNational Wildlife Refuge AssociationThe National Wildlife Refuge Association is an independent non-profit 501 membership organization that works to conserve American wildlife by strengthening and expanding the National Wildlife Refuge System managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service...
- National Wildlife Refuge System
- Nature reserveNature reserveA nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
- Protected areaProtected areaProtected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
- ZooZooA zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....