In 1973, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 3 March as World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world's wild animals and plants. The local wildlife, such as the slow-moving sloths of Costa Rica and stingrays in the Maldives as well as the birds in the Balearics and red squirrels of Scotland, are an integral part of their environments. This year's World Wildlife Day is dedicated to recovering key species to ensure ecosystem restoration. Here are news and tours from LOTUS clients that encourage this. 

Discover the variety of wildlife in Guernsey on incredible coastal walks

The Islands of Guernsey are known for their sweeping views and stunning coastal walks. Guernsey is home to a huge variety of wildlife, from gannets and gulls to the humble Guernsey vole - native only to the Orkneys and Guernsey. The great diversity of species reflects the many different habitats that the island provides: grasslands, towering cliffs, open sandy beaches and wooded valleys allow varying animals and birds to reside here. The best way to discover the wealth of wildlife is to put on walking shoes and venture outside.

La Société Guernesiaise organisation helps to preserve Guernsey's biodiversity. They run many nature reserves across the island, creating havens for wildlife that provide the perfect opportunity for nature enthusiasts to admire the different species whilst respecting their natural habitats. The organisation protects the wetlands and riverbanks of Guernsey that are home to over 150 rare species of bird. VisitGuernsey Wildlife Walks.

Stay at the lodge that saved the rainforest – Discover Costa Rica at the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge

Travel through Costa Rica, accompanied by expert guides, to experience the wildlife rich waterways of Tortuguero. Here there are lush rainforests, home to scarlet macaws, humpback whales that breed in the waters offshore, green turtles and sloths that lazily crawl along cecropia branches. Hiking to the Fortuna waterfall, through the Arenal National Park and up to the Arenal Volcano is an incredible experience.

Stay in the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, located in the Piedras Blancas National Park, southern Costa Rica, that is surrounded by impressive mountains and lush evergreen forests. It provides the perfect eco-climate for a number of rare tropical trees and endangered species to flourish. The Esquinas Rainforest Lodge is one of the country's only 100% carbon neutral lodges and Exodus was the first UK company to bring guests to the lodge over 20 years ago. Back in the 1990s a group of local farmers saved the National Park from being exploited and constructed the lodge to help guarantee its future. Visitors at the Esquinas Lodge can purchase an “Adopt-a-Tree” certificate. These generous donations are given to La Gamba Field Station and research institution, to help plant trees and purchase land. The lodge is also integrally connected with the people of La Gamba, employing all of their workers locally and reinvesting the profits they've made at the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge back into community, contributing more than $200,000 for community-based projects, including renovating La Gamba's water system, community town hall and schools, as well as the construction of a playground and police station.

Exodus Travels' 16-day Discover Costa Rica trip is priced from £3,199 per person including, return flights, all accommodation including two nights at the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, all breakfasts, eight lunches, six dinners, arrival and departure transfers, tour leader throughout, all transport and listed activities. Multiple departures in 2022. (Exodus.co.uk, 0203 1312 785)

Hear from Ocean Conservationists aboard a voyage with Ambassador Cruise Line

In December 2021, Ambassador Cruise Line announced a partnership with marine conservation charity, ORCA as well launching an anti-whaling campaign, which is the first of its kind in the cruise industry. This campaign from Ambassador and ORCA will see that two Ocean Conservationists from the charity are aboard the flagship, Ambience, in 2022 and 2023, for 11 sailings – a significant proportion of Ambassador's cruises and totalling over 200 days at sea. The ocean conservationists will visit countries including Iceland, Greenland and sail the Iberian coast, Black Sea and Irish Sea collecting important scientific data from key areas, as well as delivering an enhanced onboard experience for guests to learn and understand the issues facing some of the most unique marine wildlife on the planet. For more information visit (www.ambassadorcruiseline.com/newsroom/ambassador-partners-with-orca/)

The 22-day Arctic Voyage to Greenland & Iceland is priced from £1,599 per person and includes all accommodation, all meals, all listed activities, tours with polar experts and award-winning explorers, Louis Rudd MBE, Ann Daniels and Wendy Searle.

Enjoy a blue safari in the Maldives and sponsor a species of coral

The Blue Safari offered by the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa takes guests underwater on diving and snorkelling tours to discover marine wildlife, including stingrays, pufferfish, turtles and up to 20 species of coral. This new experience explores the wonders of the underwater world as a plethora of magnificent marine life is unveiled through clear turquoise waters, where visibility can exceed 50 metres. 

The resort has appointed Blue Safari Rangers, a team of marine biologists and master divers who will lead the tours and ensure visitors do not disturb the sensitive marine life in their habitat. With over 40 world-class diving sites surrounding Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, the resort hosts one of the most established dive centres in the Maldives promising guests a spectacular and memorable experience in the water. Complimentary snorkelling gear is available for all guests, with lessons also included for beginners. Optional diving courses are also offered at the island's water sports centre. Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa hosts a year-round coral propagation programme with the aim of restoring reefs by placing coral frames around the resort's house reef, rejuvenating the coral, and allowing guests to see the corals grow over time

Sheraton Maldives offers a seven-night stay from £1,010 per person, based on two people sharing and including breakfast?. Guests can sponsor a coral for £125 and will receive an educational talk by the Sheraton's Blue Safari Ranger and marine biologist Amelie Carraut followed by a guided tour of the resort's house reef to view the coral planting initiative. A bi-annual update on the adopted coral will also be shared.

Explore Menorca's best birdwatching spots

The Balearic Islands are an attractive home for many endemic species of bird, thanks to their varied natural landscapes, location in the middle of the migratory routes over the Mediterranean, and vast protected areas. Travellers can learn about the diverse species on the Balearic Island of Menorca, which has been recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993, for protecting the areas of rich biodiversity. Fish eagles and Egyptian vultures frequent the ravines running from the island's centre to its southern beaches. Meanwhile, smaller birds such as bee-eaters favour the luscious woodlands, where dependent on the time of year, hundreds of different species can be found. Many species rarely be seen outside of the archipelago stop to breed in Menorca which can, making it a key location for birdwatchers hoping to spot ringed plovers, dunlins, redshanks and Balearic shearwaters.

Nature Trek offers an eight-day expert guided holiday in Menorca from 22- 29 April, in search of its endemic birds and flowers. The trip is priced £1,595 and includes flights to Mahon, WHAT meals and accommodation in Matchani Gran, an 18th-century countryside farmhouse. www.illesbalears.travel

Learn the importance of the Scottish wildlife on The Wee Wildlife Half Day Safari  

Discover Scotland's amazing natural world including the majestic red deer, charismatic otter and elusive golden eagle as well as seals and red squirrels. The expert guide will show visitors the importance and beauty of natural wildlife as they discover the Morven region and learn about its history, folklore, culture and geology whilst enjoying the peace and quiet in complete wilderness. The trip visits some of the most dramatic scenery that can be found in Scotland including views from Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Ian, a local guide on the ToursByLocals platform, was born and bred on the Hebridean Islands of Harris and Skye and knows all the hidden places from tranquil beaches and fishing villages to remote areas home to magnificent grazing stags. 

ToursByLocals' four-hour The Wee Wildlife Half Day Safari  is priced from £295 per tour, for up to eight people. The tour includes guiding services and private transportation (seven-seat Land Rover Discovery). (www.toursbylocals.com)

Experience the Big Five on a Kenyan Safari with Mercury Holidays 

Search for the Big Five in the tropical highlands of Aberdare Mountains, embark on game drives across the vast plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve and spot flamingos perched in Lake Naivasha as you experience Africa's unsurpassed natural beauty on an escorted tour. Highlights include a visit to David Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre to enjoy an up-close encounter with the young orphans that they look after; embracing the private island sanctuary of Crescent Island Game Conservancy;  and observing animals gathering in the evening at a watering hole whilst staying at the rustic Treetops Lodge.

This 10-day Kenyan Safari is priced from £2,299 per person and includes return flights from London Heathrow or Manchester, transportation, all accommodation, meals. ATOL financial protection. Multiple departures in 2022. (Mercuryholidays.co.uk, 033 3999 3287)

Images can be downloaded here.