Celebrate World Wildlife Day 2017 With a Global Tour of Baby Animals

By Jessica Plautz

March 03, 2017

Credit: Getty Images

March 3 is World Wildlife Day, a day the United Nations General Assembly has designated “to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.”

The theme for 2017 is “Listen to the Young Voices,” and the goal is to focus on young people who will be responsible for future preservation efforts.

“Given that almost one quarter of the world’s population is aged between 10 and 24, vigorous efforts need to be made to encourage young people, as the future leaders and decision makers of the world, to act at both local and global levels to protect endangered wildlife,” according to the UN.

Since this year's World Wildlife Day is focused on young people, we decided to focus on young wildlife—the kind you can see around the world (or right here on your screen).

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Costa Rica

Credit: Minden Pictures/Getty Images

Baby sloths in Costa Rica, anyone?

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China

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See Giant Pandas in Chengdu, China.

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Tonga

Credit: Sean Fennessy

Humpback whales.

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Borneo

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A green sea turtle hatchling.

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Antarctica

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How cute are Emperor Penguins?

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Canada

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Polar bear cubs are the cutest.

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Tanzania

Credit: Getty Images

A giraffe family in Tanzania.

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Namibia

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A giraffe calf.

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Democratic Republic of Congo

Credit: Getty Images

The famous Mountain Gorillas.

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Ecuador

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A sea lion pup.

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Tanzania

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Elephants in Tanzania.

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Kenya

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Cheetah cubs actually might be the cutest.

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Utah, U.S.

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A grizzly bear cub, in Utah.

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Montana, U.S.

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Grizzly or black bear cubs—which are cuter?

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Israel

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A baby camel, in Israel.

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Australia

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Koalas.

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Alaska, U.S.

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Orcas.

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South Africa

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Dolphins.

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Florida, U.S.

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Alligator hatchlings? Not quite as cute.

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Tanzania

Credit: Getty Images

Two adorable lion cubs in Tanzania.