Starchild: Malaysian children share drawings on nature's flora and fauna

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 7

World Wildlife Day was celebrated on March 3 to cherish the planet’s wildlife and biodiversity. This special day is dedicated to raising awareness about the world’s wild fauna and flora and to educate people on endangered wildlife like the hawksbill turtle, Sumatran rhino and orang utan.

According to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature’s 2020 Living Planet Report, there has been a 68% average decline of birds, amphibians, mammals, fish, and reptiles since 1970. Here’s what Starchild readers had to say on the topic, World Wildlife Day.

Koh Li Ern, 7

Seven-year-old Koh Li Ern likes rainbows because they make her hopeful and happy. “I also like rainbow colours in our flora and fauna, as seen in birds, butterflies and flowers. God has blessed us with very beautiful flora and fauna. So let’s take good care of them.”

“We can take care of the wildlife by keeping our planet clean. Many animals have died as a result of eating trash thinking it’s food. We can also keep animals safe by building animal sanctuaries where all kinds of animals can stay until they are ready to be released back to the jungle,” says Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, seven.

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 4

“World Wildlife Day is about taking care of the living things on mother earth. We should plant more trees instead of cutting them as trees produce fresh air and forests provide homes to animals, writes younger sibling Asher Wang Qi Chuen, four.

Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, 9

If we aren’t careful, there will be more extinct animals in the world, cautioned Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, nine. “There are many animals in the world, but some are going extinct like the dinosaurs and endangered like the gorilla. So, it is important to protect their habitat or there will be no place they can live in.”

Norlick Titi, 7

Norlick Titi, seven, says: “In conjunction with World Wildlife Day, I drew a recycling truck. I hope to educate children on the importance of recycling paper, plastics and metal. Even milk packets are recyclable. Go green is our motto to protect the environment.”

Hayley Liew Xin Yi, 8

“To protect the wildlife animals and nature, we must not throw rubbish in the river, not cut trees and plant more trees and flowers in our garden so that there is no more flooding,” says Hayley Liew Xin Yi, eight.

Victoria Liew Yen Yi, 10

“On World Wildlife Day, let’s learn to make a compost bin in our garden. We can throw all our organic waste - fruit and vegetable matter and garden scraps to make compost,” says Victoria Liew Yen Yi, 10.

ITEM: Do you think Malaysians are friendly and helpful, and do you know many caring people in your neighbourhood? How children can help bring about a caring society? Include illustrations in your essays. E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by March 18. Please put “STARCHILD: Caring Society” in the subject line of your e-mail. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address.