Wildlife should be idolised like rock stars and movie stars, and adored by the billions of people that inhabit this planet. Superstars are much loved, cherished and kept out of harm’s way because we need them in our lives constantly as a source of inspiration and aspiration as well as entertainment. As human beings, we create superstars and the media is the vehicle used to drive that stardom to dizzying heights where they become godlike figures to us all. As image makers, the media must mastermind a complete makeover of animal species and turn them into overnight superstars performing for us in the wild where they belong. The general public already flock to zoos to see wildlife in captivity but it is the preservation of what little natural habitat remains that requires our full and immediate attention. The general public is being misled about the plight of animals living in the wild when they see well fed wildlife living in cosy enclosures for our pleasure and amusement. I believe that zoos have an important place in wildlife conservation and the preservation of animal species but that shouldn’t be at the detriment of natural habitat. As human beings, most of us are cloistered in cities and suburbs well away from the frontline of wildlife conservation so we cannot be expected to know the real problems facing animal species in an ever-diminishing natural habitat. Once again, the media and conservationists are entrusted to keep us all well informed about what is being done to save natural habitat, and the survival of wild animals therein. The media image makers have the publicity machine right behind them to create wildlife superstars by promoting them on the world stage in their natural habitat.
Jens Ward
Words ④ Wildlife