The list of endangered animals in Pantanal may continue to grow.
Brazil is considered the country with the greatest biodiversity on the planet. And Pantanal is included, with its rich fauna of more than 140 thousand species including mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, reptiles, insects and other invertebrates.
Even so, we are not protecting these endangered Pantanal animals. It’s the opposite.
The development of cities, deforestation, population growth, pollution, the use of natural resources and hunting have created a great threat to the existence of these species, despite the protective measures of the government and entities.
Preserving Pantanal is necessary to maintain the local ecological balance
To guarantee our survival and of future generations, we must pay attention to the ecological balance in Pantanal, as every species has an important role in nature.
Even with the richness of its biodiversity, Pantanal contains endangered animals that may disappear completely in a few decades.
There are more than a thousand species at risk of extinction, according to the Ministry of the Environment (MMA) and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio).
The current List of Endangered Species of Brazilian Fauna has 1,173 species and you can see them here.
The reasons that may result in the extinction of Pantanal species are animal trafficking, burning, deforestation, the construction of hydroelectric plants, pollution and predatory hunting.
All of these actions directly affect its habitat and decrease its chances of survival.
We have separated the most symbolic animals fromPantanal that are at risk of extinction.
Arara-Azul (Hyacinth macaw)
Coveted by hunters because their feathers have great value in the international market, Hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is the highlight of Mato Grosso do Sul and faces problems such as animal trafficking, illegal hunting and deforestation of its habitat.
Ariranha (Giant otter)
Cited as vulnerable in the list of species at risk, Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) has already been intensely hunted for its soft skin. Pollution of rivers, overfishing and mercury contamination are also factors that contributed to the current situation of the otter.
Cervo-do-Pantanal (Marsh deer)
The largest deer in South America, Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is vulnerable to extinction because of deforestation and illegal hunting, as well as the construction of hydroelectric plants in the Paraná River basin.
Gato-Maracajá (Margay)
After decades of suffering from hunting, Margay (Leopardus wiedii) is targeted for its beautiful fur, used for the production of coats on the illegal market, which makes it an increasingly rare species.
Lobo-guará (Maned wolf)
Unfortunately, the threats faced by the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in its habitat are frequent. The main cause of the possible extinction is the decrease of the cerrado and predatory hunting.
Onça-Pintada (Spotted jaguar)
Panthera onca is considered the largest cat in the Americas.
Considered vulnerable to extinction, the jaguar is hunted by farmers to protect its flocks, and still suffers from the destruction of its habitat and its fur has great value on the world market.
In the Pampa biome, the jaguar is already extinct.
Tamanduá-bandeira (Giant anteater)
Also on the list of animals at risk, the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) has been suffering from the burning of the regions destined for planting or raising cattle and for deforestation.
Consequence of the extinction of animals
As soon as the habitat is gone, the animals are gone too and the natural consequences will be irreversible.
The bigger the number of species, the bigger the guarantee that nature will continue to offer its “services”, such as oxygen production, nutrient cycling and pollination, among others.
Therefore, in addition to the loss of emblematic animals, the extinction of these species represents a danger of migration of predators to the urban region, of diseases, of impacts on the soil, on the climate and as a result of rains.
Over time, this situation will become catastrophic for all populations.
So it is our duty to encourage the preservation of our fauna and flora, for the well-being of all and for the survival of the planet.