"The righteous care for the needs of their animals" - Proverbs 12:10a
God's Creation: God carefully designed and created all species, because he wanted them and said that it was "good" (Genesis 1:24-25). God also gave mankind a personal relationship with wildlife by allowing Adam to name them (Genesis 2:19). God also told Adam he is to "rule" over the beasts of the earth (Geneis 1:28) and intended for him to care for the garden (Genesis 2:15).
God's Conservation: When God decided to destroy the earth by flood he saved Noah and his family. Notice he didn't stop there. He made certain that the wildlife he created would carry on (Genesis 7:1-5). He made certain they would continue to exsist, because he wanted them. He provided Noah with the animals and all that was needed to ensure their survival. (Genesis 6:19-22). His words were that the animals were to be "kept alive". (Genesis 7:3) He also is clear that he wants the animals to increase in number, not decrease (Genesis 8:17).
God's Covenant: After the flood God made a covenant not only with Noah and his descendants, but also with the wildlife and their descendants (Genesis 9:8-17)
God's Honor: Psalm 148 calls for the wild animals to "praise" God for "at his command they were created". In Isaiah 43:20 God claims that the "wild animals honor Me" because "I provide water in the wilderness". Job 38:39-41 God clearly states that not only does He "satisfy the hunger of the Lion", but that the animals literally "cry out" to God Himself.
Psalm 104:21-22 leaves no room for question that God has a connection with his wildlife creation. It says,
"The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God". In verse 24 it tells us that the earth is full of His creatures and that he made them all in wisdom.
God's Concern: In Luke Chapter 12 Jesus explains that even if man doesn't value wildlife God still does. When speaking about a sparrow He says that "not one of them is forgotten by God". Not one! In Joel Chapter 1 the people were just subject to a plague of locusts and a terrible drought given to them by God. (This passage is so neat.) Here the people are dying and when a call is made to God for relief, notice what was included:
18 How the cattle moan!
The herds mill about
because they have no pasture;
even the flocks of sheep are suffering.
19 To you, LORD, I call,
for fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness
and flames have burned up all the trees of the field.
20 Even the wild animals pant for you;
the streams of water have dried up
and fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness.
Here the people are dying and begging God to have mercy on them and they even include the wildlife in their prayer. How then can we think that it is wrong to want to preserve these awesome creatures?
Man's Joy: The Bible is clear in Isaiah 11 that animals will be with us after Christ's return.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling [a] together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 Infants will play near the hole of the cobra;
young children will put their hands into the viper's nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
What an amazing day that will be!
God's Divinity: Romans 1:20 is an awesome verse explaining that God displays himself through his creation so that all men can see Him.
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible
qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been
clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so
that men are without excuse.
Clearly seen. I don't know about you, but when I see a 400 pound Tiger with the grace and agility of a ballerina, I am in awe of God's power and divinity.