World Wildlife Day is celebrated each year on March 3rd . It was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013 to recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet . The date was chosen to mark the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on March 3, 1973, which plays a pivotal role in protecting species from extinction due to international trade .