The Hidden Cost of Our “Favorites”: A Call for Compassion and Change
We live in a world where every day we make choices—choices that affect not only our lives but the lives of countless other creatures. We go about our routines, prioritizing our own needs, desires, and comforts, often forgetting that we share this planet with millions of other species. From the smallest ants to the largest elephants, all beings have their place, their role in the intricate web of life. Yet, more often than not, we fail to recognize their worth, treating them as insignificant, expendable, or even disposable.
When someone asks, “What is your favorite animal?” it’s an innocent question, one that many of us are quick to answer. Dogs, cats, tigers, elephants—these are the animals we connect with, those that inspire us, protect us, or serve us. But what about the others? The ants, the snakes, the insects, the creatures whose lives we don’t consider, whose existence we don’t even acknowledge unless they disrupt ours? What about the animals we are quick to kill, exploit, or disregard because they don’t fit our narrow definition of “worthy” or “useful”?
We humans often hold a bias, a hierarchy of sorts, when it comes to the creatures we deem deserving of compassion and respect. We love dogs because they are loyal, we admire lions for their power, we revere elephants for their majesty. But why is it that we don’t extend the same level of respect to all animals, regardless of their form or function? Why do we view some creatures as “favorite” and others as pests to be eliminated? Why do we, as a species, think that everything on this planet is here solely for our benefit, that it belongs to us, that it is ours to destroy, exploit, or control?
The Cruelty We Overlook
Take, for instance, the everyday acts of cruelty that go unnoticed. People often kill snakes in a blind panic, even when the snake is not threatening them, simply because they fear it or deem it dangerous. The same people who may adore a pet dog without question can, in the next breath, murder a snake that has done no harm, simply for existing in a place where it “shouldn’t be.” Similarly, ants, small and seemingly inconsequential, are often killed mindlessly. People destroy their nests, burn their hives, and step on them without a second thought. There’s a disturbing trend online where people even use hot steel to create “art” by burning ants’ hives, without consideration for the lives they are extinguishing. Is this cruelty truly art, or is it a reflection of the disturbing detachment we have developed from the natural world?
Why do we view these creatures as disposable? Is it because they are small and can’t defend themselves? Or is it simply because we see ourselves as superior, entitled to reign over the natural world? We may claim to love our “favorite” animals, but we ignore the suffering we inflict on others, convincing ourselves that they don’t matter, that they don’t feel, that they don’t deserve our respect.
This kind of thinking—this blatant disregard for life—spreads beyond snakes and ants. Look at the poaching crisis. Elephants are killed for their ivory, rhinos for their horns, and countless animals for their fur, flesh, or exotic appeal. We humans have become so desensitized to the suffering of other creatures that we justify these acts for profit, vanity, or sport. And in doing so, we destroy not only individual animals but entire species, ecosystems, and the delicate balance of life that sustains the planet.
Why are we so quick to take, to harm, to destroy? Why do we think it’s okay to take what isn’t ours, to treat other beings as mere resources for our gain?
The Ocean: Our Forgotten World
And then there’s the ocean—an entire ecosystem we often overlook, despite its vast importance to our planet and our survival. Dolphins, whales, sea turtles—these are the magnificent creatures that many of us adore. We watch in awe as dolphins leap gracefully through the water, or as whales breach and create powerful splashes that capture our imagination. They represent the beauty and mystery of the sea, and for many, they are symbols of the untamed, awe-inspiring natural world.
But what are we doing to their home? We throw plastic into the ocean. We dump chemicals, oil, and waste into the water, poisoning the very creatures we claim to love. Plastic waste—stray bags, bottles, and fishing nets—choke the life out of marine animals. Dolphins are found with their stomachs full of plastic, their intestines unable to process the non-biodegradable material. Sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, and whales ingest plastic that causes blockages and slow, painful deaths.
And yet, we continue. We continue to pollute, to poison, to destroy without thought. We prioritize our convenience—our plastic packaging, our synthetic products, our cheap disposable goods—over the health of the very environment we depend on. How is it that we claim to love these creatures, yet we poison their waters and suffocate their habitats?
We love dolphins, but we don’t stop to think about the price of our convenience. We love whales, but we don’t consider the toll our actions take on their ecosystems. How can we justify this hypocrisy? How can we claim to care for these animals, and yet turn a blind eye to the damage we cause every day?
The Rate of Destruction
It’s not just the animals we adore that are suffering. The entire planet is. From the deforestation of rainforests to the degradation of coral reefs, we are destroying the very fabric of life. Every day, species go extinct—species we may never even have known, species we may never have had the chance to admire or protect.
The sad truth is that progress is happening—but it is happening too slowly. We are moving forward, but we are destroying faster than we can rebuild. While we make small strides in conservation and environmental protection, the rate of destruction far outpaces our efforts. Every minute, an acre of forest is lost. Every hour, oceans are flooded with more plastic waste. Every day, species are driven to extinction, their habitats erased, their populations dwindling.
We talk about progress, but where is it truly leading us? Yes, there are innovations, there are green technologies, there are efforts to reduce emissions and clean up our environment. But these efforts are not enough to match the scale of the destruction we are causing. And every day that passes without real, sustained action is another day that the balance of life is disrupted beyond repair.
Reexamining Our “Favorites”
So, I ask again: What does it truly mean to have a “favorite” animal? Is it just about the ones that are familiar, the ones that we connect with emotionally, or is it about recognizing the value of all creatures, regardless of their size or perceived usefulness? Shouldn’t we be questioning why we choose favorites in the first place? Shouldn’t we be asking why some animals are celebrated while others are discarded or destroyed? And more importantly, shouldn’t we be acknowledging the responsibility we have toward all living beings, not just the ones we favor?
The time has come for us to broaden our definition of “favorite.” It shouldn’t just be about the animals we adore, but about recognizing the intrinsic value of all life forms—be it an ant, a snake, a bee, or an elephant. Every creature, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, has a role to play. And every creature deserves our respect, our compassion, and our protection.
A Call for Change
We can no longer afford to ignore the consequences of our actions. We must move beyond our egocentric view of the world and embrace a more holistic perspective, one that recognizes the interconnectedness of all life. The health of the planet depends on the health of its ecosystems, and the health of its ecosystems depends on the protection of its creatures. When we destroy one, we destroy them all.
So I ask you, the reader, to think deeply about your relationship with the natural world. To question your own behaviors, your own biases, your own attitudes toward animals and the environment. Are you contributing to the destruction, or are you helping to create a better world? Are you focused solely on your own needs, or are you considering the needs of all creatures, big and small?
The change starts with us. It starts with our willingness to recognize the inherent worth of every living being, to stop seeing the world as something to conquer and begin seeing it as something to protect. It starts with our willingness to question our actions, to challenge the status quo, and to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Together, we can create a world where every animal, every plant, and every creature is valued—not just as a favorite, but as a vital part of the intricate, beautiful, and fragile web of life that sustains us all.
Let’s stop being selfish. Let’s stop taking. Let’s start giving. Let’s create a better world—for us, for them, for all.
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