Dean of Faculty of Veterinary of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Ömer Memduh Esendal, announced a written message due to the 4th October World Animal Day.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Ömer Memduh Esendal-Dean of NEU Faculty of Veterinary- made a written announcement due to the 4th October World Animal Day and stated that the World Animal Day was initiated to raise the status of the animals in order to improve the welfare standards of the animals around the globe. Furthermore, he emphasised that the welfare of the animals meant the welfare of the environment; in return the welfare of the environment also meant the welfare of our world and humanity.

He explained that there were many animals which were significant constitutes of the ecosystem and therefore they had a knock-on effect on the ecosystem. He said that on World Animal Days, many institutions made written statements, used slogans; and their main theme would be based on domestic animals; such as cats and dogs. However, Prof. Dr. Ömer Memduh Esendal emphasised that when we think about animals, our thoughts should not be limited with domestic animals and that we should also consider other animals. In other words, acts for animals should not be restricted with animals that we humans benefit from (such as f benefitting from their milk and meat) and we were required to consider animals that we might not ever come across since they could have a direct impact on the ecosystem of the environment we live in. Therefore, Prof. Dr. Ömer Memduh Esendal emphasised that protecting the animals protected the environment, which also lead to the protection of our world and the wellbeing of humans in general.

Litter in the habitat have a negative impact on all the living creatures in that area…
Prof. Dr. Esendal stated that we need to have an awareness that dumping litter and polluting the environment has a negative impact on all of the creatures living in that area. He questioned and asked if we humans were aware of the diversity of animals living in the world. He also questioned if we were aware how ecology had an impact on everyone’s life and how humanity had a negative impact on the nature in general. He reminded that there were about 7 trillion people living on earth and that this number was continuing to rise each day. He further questioned if we were aware that as a dominant species on earth, whether we were considerate enough while consuming natural resources. He added that currently there were about only 500 Mediterranean seals left in the world and that this was very sad. Furthermore, he stated that this was the reason why many species, such as turtles and Malabar groupers, were placed under protection. As a consequence of all our careless acts, he said that unfortunately, our children will not be able to see spectacular animals under protection like Bengal tigers, rhinoceros, African elephants and orangutans. He pointed out that even though we may be living comfortable lives, we had no right to ruin the world and the animals in it. He concluded that this was why there was a need for a day like 4th October World Animal Day- a day to create awareness on the matter.

“Don’t just teach your children to love animals but also teach them to protect animals!”
Prof. Dr. Ömer Memduh Esendal included a very important message and asserted that there was a need for us to not only teach our children to love animals, but also teach them to protect the animals!

In addition to the above, Prof Dr. Esendal reminded that even a single drop of litter in the sea could cause the death of a turtle and therefore, it was a time for everyone to think twice before we do something. He also reminded that thousands of animals could be killed for a bag that we are using. Moreover, he asked people to be aware that many animals could have been displaced due to logging that could be used in our homes. Thus, he emphasised that by making simple changes in our lives, we humans could be more considerate about the environment and protect it along with the creatures living in it.