The
term wildlife refers to living organisms
that are not in any way artificial or
domesticated and which exist in natural
habitats. Wildlife can refer to flora
(plants) but more commonly refers to fauna
(animals). Wildlife is a very general
term for life in ecosystems. Deserts,
rainforests, plains, and other areas—including
the most built-up urban sites—all
have distinct forms of wildlife. Humankind
has historically tended to separate civilization
from wildlife in a number of ways; besides
the obvious difference in vocabulary,
there are differing expectations in the
legal, social, and moral sense. This has
been reason for debate throughout recorded
history. Religions have often declared
certain animals to be sacred, and in modern
times concern for the environment has
provoked activists to protest the exploitation
of wildlife for human benefit or entertainment.
Literature has also made use of the traditional
human separation from wildlife.
In
Stone Age tribes, hunter-gatherers relied
on wildlife, both plant and animal, as
their only food source. In fact, some
species may have been hunted to extinction
by early human hunters. With the rise
of agriculture and the domestication of
some wildlife, this reliance decreased.
However, hunting for game remained an
important part of many cultures' diet.
Today, hunting, fishing, or gathering
wildlife is still a significant food source
in some parts of the world. In other areas,
hunting and non-commercial fishing are
mainly seen as a sport or recreation,
with the edible meat as mostly a side
benefit. Meat sourced from wildlife that
is not traditionally regarded as game
is known as bushmeat. In some countries,
protected areas, wildlife preserves or
national parks have been set up to protect
wildlife and their natural habitat. The
most prominent of these are listed as
World Heritage Sites or Biosphere Reserves
by the UNESCO.
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