Every year, on October 4, the world celebrates World Animal Day, a global effort to raise awareness about the rights and welfare of animals. In 2024, the theme “The World is Their Home Too” serves as a powerful reminder that animals deserve to live peacefully in their natural habitats, just as much as humans.

For Malaysia, a country blessed with rich biodiversity and unique wildlife, this theme highlights the urgent need to safeguard our precious animal species and the ecosystems they call home.

The Role of Animals in Our Ecosystem

Animals play an essential role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. From pollination to maintaining soil fertility and nutrient cycles, animals contribute significantly to the natural processes that sustain life on Earth. In Malaysia, species such as the Malayan tiger, orangutans and sea turtles are critical in preserving the country’s ecological integrity.

However, rapid development and deforestation for agriculture and human settlements have drastically reduced the natural habitats of these animals. When habitats are destroyed, it’s not only the animals that suffer but also the entire ecosystem. The loss of even a single species can trigger a domino effect, destabilising the delicate balance that keeps nature functioning.

Challenges Faced by Wildlife

Globally, animals are facing a multitude of threats, and there is no exception in Malaysia. Habitat destruction, poaching and pollution have severely impacted the country’s wildlife populations. The Malayan tiger, a national symbol of pride, is now critically endangered, with fewer than 150 remaining in the wild.

Marine pollution has also threatened species such as sea turtles, which are often found ingesting plastic waste in the ocean.

Meanwhile, rampant deforestation and unsustainable land use have left many species without adequate space to live and reproduce. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges, affecting species that are unable to adapt to rapidly changing environments.

Conservation Efforts in Malaysia

In response to these pressing challenges, various conservation efforts are underway to protect Malaysia’s wildlife and their habitats. Programmes such as the Malayan Tiger Project and turtle conservation initiatives in Terengganu have made significant strides in raising awareness and restoring endangered populations.

Protected areas like Taman Negara and marine parks offer crucial sanctuaries for threatened species. Additionally, various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are actively engaged in anti-poaching campaigns and collaborating with the government to strengthen wildlife protection laws.

Malaysia’s Laws and Enforcement Efforts in Protecting Animals

"The World is Their Home Too" emphasises the shared responsibility of humans and governments to protect animals and their natural habitats.

In Malaysia, with its rich biodiversity and unique wildlife, the need for strong legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to protect animals is more critical than ever. While the country faces significant challenges in safeguarding its wildlife, various laws and enforcement efforts have been established to ensure that animals are given the protection they deserve.

Malaysia has enacted several laws aimed at protecting both domestic and wild animals such as the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. These laws provide a framework for the humane treatment of animals, prevent cruelty and preserve natural habitats for wildlife species.

Malaysia has made commendable strides in protecting its animals, with strong laws and proactive enforcement efforts in place. However, as the theme “The World is Their Home Too” reminds us, the journey towards ensuring a safe and sustainable environment for animals is far from over.

Continuous collaboration among the government, NGOs and the public is essential to preserving the diverse wildlife that shares this planet with us.

The Malaysian government’s commitment to wildlife conservation, when combined with stronger enforcement and public awareness, can help ensure that future generations inherit a world where animals can thrive in their natural habitats. By recognising that the Earth is not just our home but also theirs, we take a significant step forward in building a world that truly belongs to all living beings.

Islamic Perspective

In Islam, the Earth and all its creatures are seen as part of the divine creation, entrusted to humans as khalifah (stewards) to protect and preserve. The Quran teaches that all living beings are part of communities, just like humans (Surah al-An’am, 6:38)

The Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad also provide a clear and compassionate framework for how animals should be treated in Islam. They emphasise kindness, mercy and respect for all living creatures. These emphasise our responsibility to ensure that animals are treated with respect and compassion.

The theme “The World is Their Home Too” aligns with Islamic teachings, reminding us that animals, too, have a right to inhabit this world in peace. As stewards of the Earth, it is our duty to ensure that our actions do not harm or destroy the habitats of animals, and that their welfare is prioritised in all aspects of environmental management.

Reflection: A Call for Compassion and Responsibility

World Animal Day 2024 reminds us that the Earth is not just a home for humans but also for the countless animal species that have lived here long before us. The theme “The World is Their Home Too” urges us to reflect on how our actions affect the lives of animals and their habitats.

As the dominant species on this planet, we bear a heavy responsibility to ensure that animals can live freely and peacefully in their natural environments. Let us come together to protect this world - not just for ourselves, but for all the creatures with whom we share this Earth.

-- BERNAMA

Dr Arif Fahmi Md Yusof is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM).