As the world marks World Animal Day 4th october 2026, growing attention is being drawn to the serious threats climate change poses to the survival of animals and the ecosystems that sustain them.
Ibrahima Yakubu, Head of Communication and Strategies at African Climate Reporters, said climate change is increasingly becoming a serious threat to wildlife and domestic animals, warning that rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, extreme flooding, wildfires and changing rainfall patterns are creating dangerous conditions for animals to survive.
in a press statement made available to the press ,He noted that across Africa, many wildlife species depend on forests, grasslands, wetlands, rivers and other ecosystems for food, water and shelter. As these ecosystems are degraded or altered by climate change, animals are increasingly being forced to move longer distances in search of food and water, exposing them to greater risks.
Extreme heat can cause heat stress, dehydration and death among animals, while prolonged drought can destroy vegetation and reduce access to water. Floods and wildfires can also destroy breeding grounds, nests and natural habitats, leaving vulnerable species with fewer places to survive.
Climate change is also disrupting migration, reproduction and feeding patterns. Changes in temperature and seasonal conditions can affect when animals migrate, reproduce and search for food. For species already threatened by habitat destruction, illegal hunting, pollution and other human activities, climate change can push them closer to extinction.
Yakubu stressed that the consequences are not limited to wildlife, as livestock and other domestic animals are also increasingly exposed to heat stress, water shortages, declining pasture and climate-sensitive diseases. These impacts can threaten the livelihoods of communities that depend on animals for food and income.
He called for stronger climate and environmental journalism to educate the public about the connection between climate change, animal survival and ecosystem protection.
According to him, journalists can play an important role by reporting on disappearing habitats, declining water sources, changing wildlife patterns and other climate-related threats, while also highlighting solutions that can help protect vulnerable species.
He urged governments, conservation organizations, communities and environmental groups to strengthen efforts to restore degraded ecosystems, protect forests and wetlands, improve water management and reduce activities that contribute to climate change.
As the world celebrates World Animal Day, Yakubu said the occasion should go beyond celebrating animals and serve as a reminder that their survival depends heavily on the health of the planet.
Protecting animals from climate change means protecting their habitats, ecosystems and the future of life itself.
