Endangered Animals in the Amazon
By Sarah R.
The Amazon contains millions of species, most still undiscovered, and is home to some of the world's most unusual wildlife. There are over 40,000 plant species, 3,000 fresh water species, and more than 370 types of reptiles. Sadly, many of these Amazonian animals are endangered. The main issues causing animal populations to decrease greatly are habitat loss, pollution, introduced species, global warming, farms, and poaching.
The process in which a natural habitat is lost due to destruction is habitat loss. Habitats can be destroyed through forest fires and logging. Since all creatures need food, water, and a space to live, habitat loss is the biggest threat to wildlife today.
Pollution is the contamination of air, water, or soil by substances that are harmful to living organisms. Gas, oil, human waste, and other pollutants can quickly harm the environment. Animals that live in seas, oceans, lakes, and rivers, are extremely sensitive to pollution in their environments. This is mainly because of oil spills and other contaminated liquids or objects that might get into the water. Along with pollution, introduced species can affect the lives of native wildlife.
When animals are captured and brought into a foreign area, they might not cooperate with other native species. This is because the new animals are not used to the new environment and have to find a new mate, new food, and a new home. This leads to native animals having to compete against the new species. So, the local fauna could be threatened.
Global warming is a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere. This is generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants. Because of the increase in temperature, global warming is a huge threat to wildlife. For example, many seas are becoming warmer, causing coral reefs to die. Since many animals rely on coral reefs for food and shelter, global warming harms them too.
A farm is an area of land and its buildings used for growing crops and rearing animals, typically under the control of one owner or manager. While we need farms for food, they can be very harmful to the environment if not run properly. In some countries, farms are the main sources of pollution. Farms can also take up large amounts of land causing habitat loss.
People illegally killing animals for their horns, fur, or meat, and then selling these items for money is known as poaching. Animals with valuable horns and furs, like rhinos or cheetahs, are endangered because of poaching. Even legal hunting and fishing in large quantities can decrease the population of a species.
Some of the most endangered species in the
Amazon are jaguars, poison dart frogs, hyacinth
macaws, three-toed sloths, and golden lion
tamarins. Jaguars are endangered because they
are hunted for their fur and because their
habitats are being destroyed.
Jaguars are short and have thick coats. No two
jaguars have the same patterned coat. To catch
their meal, jaguars sneak up on their prey, and
when they get close enough they pounce on it.
This sneaky cat has a powerful bite, and quickly
kills its victims before they even know what’s happening.