Wildlife refers to all the animals that live in natural areas without being raised or controlled by humans. This includes everything from deer wandering through forests and eagles soaring over mountains to frogs hiding in wetlands and fish swimming in rivers. Wildlife means creatures living their own lives in the wild, finding their own food, building their own shelters, and raising their own young.

The word helps us talk about animals as part of nature rather than as pets or farm animals. A bear catching salmon in Alaska is wildlife. A dog sleeping on your couch is not. Scientists who study wildlife learn how different animals survive, what they eat, where they live, and how they interact with each other and their environment.

When people talk about wildlife conservation, they mean protecting wild animals and the natural places they need to survive. Many wildlife species face challenges from shrinking habitats or changing climates. National parks and nature preserves protect wildlife by giving animals safe spaces to live. Wildlife biologists track animal populations to understand whether species are thriving or struggling, helping communities make informed decisions about protecting the natural world.

The word can also describe the animals in a particular area: “the wildlife of Antarctica” or “backyard wildlife,” like squirrels and robins.