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THE AMAZON RAINFOREST - BY SARA B The Amazon rainforest covers over 1.2 billion acres representing two-fifths of the vast South American continent and is found in nine South American countries: Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Surinam, and French Guiana. With 4 million square kilometers of rainforest, the Amazon rainforest represents 54 percent of the total rainforests left on the planet.
Jaguar The Amazon jungle is a home to more than half of the world's species of flora and fauna. But will it remain that way forever? Experts estimate that we are losing 137 plant, animal, and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. That equates to 50,000 species a year. Nearly half of the world's species of plants, animals, and microorganisms will be destroyed or severely threatened over the next quarter century due, once again, to deforestation. A species that can relate to threat of extinction and habitat loss is the jaguar. Its Latin American Indian name (Panthera onca) means “wild beast that overcomes its prey in a single bound”. The stealthy spotted cat used to populate North and Central America quite densely. Due to over hunting in the United States and other areas, jaguars, except for those scarcely scattered through Mexico, have been banished from North America. The largest remaining population lives in the Amazon rainforest in South America. But as the Amazon is destroyed by forestry industries, not to mention human population and development, the already endangered jaguar is likely to become extinct. You may wonder, why does this even pose a problem? After all, the jaguar prefers to live in areas with good cover and near rivers, streams, and other wetlands in tropical rainforests and savannas. There are plenty of habitats left like that, right? Plus, jaguars are excellent hunters. They hunt by night and stalk prey on the ground and then attack it with a crippling blow. Even though the jaguar, with a heavier and more compact build, does not climb as well as its cousin, the leopard, it may chase monkeys and parrots in trees. It also swims well and fishes by crouching in ambush along a bank or on an overhanging bough. They prey on deer, tapir, monkeys, birds, turtles, turtle eggs, and frogs. What a selection! A jaguar will never run out of food or habitat. They are doing just fine. Think again. In the last nine years, the Amazon rainforest has decreased in size by nine percent. Theoretically, in 50 years, the rainforest will be half its current size. The jaguar’s habitat is vanishing so rapidly, they soon may not be able to maintain their population. The jaguar is on the top of the food chain, meaning they consume a large variety of animals. Their prey is pushed into smaller and smaller areas of land, forcing the jaguars to follow them. These undersized populations of jaguars become isolated from other jaguar populations by areas of land that are not suitable for them. Jaguars cannot hunt properly in these secluded areas, and they often cannot find mates. South America continues to increase in human population and development. The Amazon rainforest and its inhabitants are steadily being invaded. Although jaguars are generally very reclusive animals, they are being forced to find new homes. As a result, when a jaguar is seen near farms, people, or domestic animals, they can legally be shot.
photo: Howard Buffett Fortunately, jaguars are somewhat protected. In 1973, jaguars were included in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This means that the trading of jaguars and skins can only occur under strict regulations. Therefore, commercial trading is banned. Some countries are not members of CITES and do not follow these rules. For example, in Ecuador and Guyana, the jaguar has no legal protection. In Bolivia, hunting for trophy jaguars is permitted. Since the Amazon jungle spreads over these countries, the jaguar is very much at risk. In Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru, hunting is allowed only if the jaguar is considered a problem animal. Of course they are going to become problems; their habitat is disappearing left, right, and centre. So, once again, the jaguar is at risk. As you can see, something must be done regarding this important issue. For example, hunting of the jaguar can and should be completely prohibited everywhere, regardless. Nonprofit organizations ranging from the internationally renowned World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to simple community groups can help protect the jaguar. If enough concern is expressed, something will be done to defend the species. Most importantly, wildlife reserves must be established in the greatest area the jaguar remains, the Amazon Rainforest. A region with good cover and an adequate water source in a tropical climate is essential for jaguars. Within any healthy portion of the rainforest will be all the prey the jaguar will need such as deer, monkeys, birds, turtles, and frogs. The more rainforest reserves set up, the more safe havens there are for jaguars to live and mate. With time, the jaguar population could make a drastic increase in size. Not only does this benefit jaguars, it also benefits fellow endangered or threatened flora and fauna. The diminishing Amazon rainforest will be given a chance to stabilize and can, once again, become the “Lungs of our Planet”, provide scientists with a natural, yet amazing occurrence to study, and provide great amounts of pharmaceutical drugs that are only budding in the depths of this rainforest. The species of the jaguar depends solely on its only real home of the mighty Amazon rainforest. Saving the jaguar along with its natural environment will have long-lasting importance to mankind as a whole. Bibliography Internet: |
