What is Wildlife?

S5-SA2-0179

Grade Level:

Class 7

Law, Civic Literacy, Economics, FinTech, Geopolitics, Personal Finance, Indian Governance

Definition

What is it?

Wildlife refers to all undomesticated living organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, and other microbes, that exist in their natural habitats. It means life that grows or lives wild in an area without being introduced by humans.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you visit a national park like Ranthambore. The tigers, deer, peacocks, and all the trees and plants growing there naturally, without human farming or care, are all part of the wildlife of that park. Even the small insects and birds you see in your local park, if they live there naturally, are wildlife.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's identify wildlife in a common Indian setting:

Step 1: Consider your school playground or a local park.
---Step 2: Think about the animals you see. Do you see dogs? Are they stray dogs living on their own, or pets brought by owners?
---Step 3: If you see a stray dog living independently, it is not considered wildlife because dogs are domesticated animals, even if they live wild.
---Step 4: Now, look for birds like crows, sparrows, or pigeons. Do they live there naturally, building nests and finding their own food?
---Step 5: Yes, crows, sparrows, and pigeons living naturally in the park are wildlife. Also, any naturally growing trees, grass, and insects are wildlife.
---Answer: Wildlife in your park includes crows, sparrows, pigeons, insects, and naturally growing plants, but not stray domesticated dogs.

Why It Matters

Understanding wildlife is crucial for protecting our planet's biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. It's important for careers in environmental law, forest management, and eco-tourism, helping people protect and appreciate nature's wonders.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking wildlife only means big animals like tigers or elephants. | CORRECTION: Wildlife includes all wild living organisms, from tiny insects and plants to large animals.

MISTAKE: Confusing pets or farm animals with wildlife. | CORRECTION: Pets (like dogs, cats) and farm animals (like cows, chickens) are domesticated and are not considered wildlife, even if they are sometimes found roaming freely.

MISTAKE: Believing that plants grown in a garden are wildlife. | CORRECTION: Plants grown and cared for by humans in a garden are cultivated, not wild. Only plants growing naturally in their habitat are wildlife.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Is a mango tree growing naturally in a forest considered wildlife? | ANSWER: Yes, because it is growing naturally without human cultivation.

QUESTION: Your neighbour's pet parrot escapes and lives in a tree in your garden. Is it now wildlife? | ANSWER: No, because it is a domesticated animal that was introduced by humans, even though it's now living freely.

QUESTION: Imagine a small pond. List two things that would definitely be considered wildlife and two things that would not, giving reasons. | ANSWER: Wildlife: Wild fish (living naturally), naturally growing water lilies (unplanted). Not wildlife: A plastic bottle (non-living), ducks from a nearby farm (domesticated).

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these is NOT considered wildlife?

A wild deer in a national park

A peacock living freely in a village

A cow grazing in a field

A banyan tree growing naturally in a forest

The Correct Answer Is:

A cow is a domesticated animal raised by humans for milk or labour, so it is not wildlife. Wild deer, peacocks living freely, and naturally growing banyan trees are all examples of wildlife.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

In India, wildlife is protected by laws like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Forest rangers, like those working in Jim Corbett National Park, use technology to track animals, prevent poaching, and manage habitats, ensuring that India's diverse wildlife thrives for future generations.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

UNDOMESTICATED: Not tamed or kept as a pet or on a farm | HABITAT: The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism | BIODIVERSITY: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem | ECOLOGICAL BALANCE: A state of equilibrium in an ecosystem where all living organisms and their environment are in harmony

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand what wildlife is, you can explore 'Why is Wildlife Important?' This will help you learn about the benefits wildlife provides to our environment and why protecting it is so crucial for everyone.