They Have a Voice but We Must Listen

Oct 4, 2026 | News | 0 comments

World Animal Day – 04 October 2026

Written by: Rtr. Janandhi Dissanayake

Every year on 4 October, the world talks about the creatures we share our planet with: animals. World Animal Day, founded by German writer and animal activist Heinrich Zimmermann in 1925, reminds us that animals are an essential part of our world and that, as humans, we have to choose compassion and coexistence.

The theme of World Animal Day 2026, “See the world through their eyes”, invites us to step beyond our human-centred view and consider how animals contribute to the balance of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Animals like bees, butterflies, bats, and birds help transfer pollen between flowers, allowing many plants to reproduce, while monkeys, elephants, and other animals spread seeds through their movements and droppings, helping forests regenerate. Predators help control prey populations and maintain ecosystem balance, as they are connected through food chains and food webs. Fish, turtles, and other aquatic animals contribute to nutrient cycling and help maintain healthy water systems.

Imagine waking up to a world without animals. No birds singing in the morning. No butterflies moving from flower to flower. No elephants roaming through jungles.

While animals work silently for our ecosystems, we humans are making it difficult for them to survive. Deforestation, urban development, and agriculture take away the homes and food habitats of animals, while plastic and chemicals can kill wild and marine species. Illegal hunting, wildlife trade, and overfishing can reduce animal populations.

A forest being cleared is not just land being developed. A polluted river is not just contaminated water. It is a major challenge to biodiversity.

We are simply one of the many species that call this planet home. So, the time has come for humans to pause for a while and learn how to share this planet.