These wildlife advocates call on the world to respect the sacred balance of the planet
Celebrated on March 3, World Wildlife Day raises awareness about the preservation of wild animals and plants, many of which have become threatened because of human activities. The protection of animals and plants remains important because, not only do they provide essential food and medicine for men and play an important part in the global economy, but they also contribute to the sacred balance of the planet. Safeguarding the trees of forests, the beasts of the oceans, and the birds of the skies ensures the well-being of all living things, including humans.
These conservationists on Asia’s Most Influential list are doing just that, fighting for the protection of wildlife through academic research, documentary work and environmental activism. On World Wildlife Day and beyond, they find solutions to ecological threats and call on the world to care for animals and plants, which are part of the living world and deserve respect.
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Lindsay Porter, founder, Seamar (Hong Kong)
Marine biologist Lindsay Porter safeguards Asia’s vulnerable cetaceans, including the pygmy blue whale, the Indo-Pacific finless porpoise and Hong Kong’s famous pink dolphin. In 2020, after decades of studying these majestic animals in various posts, including as the dolphin conservation officer of the World Wildlife Fund, she founded Seamar to expand her academic research and provide advice on how to minimise threats to marine mammals.
As ferry traffic was paused during the pandemic, pink dolphins saw a brief resurgence in the waters of Hong Kong. But they continue to experience population decline because of human activities: the construction of infrastructure infringes on their habitat, overfishing depletes their food sources and noise from water vessels increases stress. Porter, who is also the vice chair of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission, continues to champion the water creatures, growing Seamar’s massive database of Hong Kong’s dolphin population, as well as fighting for the preservation of their habitat—important work that has informed wider conservation efforts in the region.
Read Lindsay Porter’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
