The Amazon rainforest is probably the most breath-taken and beautifully unique ecosystem on the earth: it is a natural wonder and is home to some of the worlds most rare and alluring animals on the planet today. In saying this, the Amazon rainforest is at risk of collapsing.
In other words: the Amazon rainforest is at risk of becoming extinct.
The Amazon rainforest is at risk of becoming extinct due to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, through logging and forest fires. Forest fires right now are particularly alarming for the Amazon rainforest - this is because forest fires in the Amazon rainforest have been burning non-stop for the past three weeks, destroying every animal life that is within the rainforest, as well as destroying the beautiful ecosystem.
Forest fires raging out of control in Amazonia threatens this forest. This is because the Amazon rainforest is near its tipping point. The tipping point of the Amazon rainforest is where the rainforest has had a certain percentage of the rainforest destroyed, to such an extent that the forest cannot recover. Since the forest cannot recover, it will collapse.
Scientists are now saying that the Amazon rainforest is near its tipping point. If it crosses this tipping point then a collapse in the Amazon rainforest is inevitable.
If, or when, this happens, Amazonia will turn into a desert land, much like the Sahara, rather than the lush, green, wet forest land and river we know today. It’s hard to imagine this ecosystem turning into a desert land and the rainforest collapsing and disappearing, however, it has happened before - it is thought that this is exactly what happened to the Sahara desert; a once lush rainforest, turned into barren desert land through human destruction and a lack of consideration for animals and the natural world. It’s possible that the Amazon rainforest could go the same way, especially if we keep destroying it.
And, if we destroy this beautiful forested land, then we will destroy every animal with it. By destroying the Amazon rainforest, we will cause the extinction of millions of species of animals (and plants) who live in the forest.
The Amazon rainforest is home to many species of both plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. Therefore, once we cause their extinction, they will be gone forever. If we want to save these beautiful animals, then now is the time to do it - we cannot wait until the future to act to save them.
If we do not act, then there are millions of species that we will lose. None of them is more valuable than others. But as we can’t fit every species of animal into this list, we’ve come up with a top six list of the species of animal that we will lose if the Amazon rainforest collapses and goes extinct.
These are the top six list of animals that we will lose
#6 Toucans
Toucans are both a gorgeous and fascinating bird - there is no bird-like them on earth today. Toucans are distinguishable by their long, thick beak and beautiful colours - they are symbolic of the Amazon rainforest.
Toucans have a very interesting diet mixture, where they eat things like snakes, lizards, spiders and a collection of fruits from the Amazon rainforest.
There are several different species of Toucans, the most well-known and recognizable species of Toucan in the Amazon rainforest is the Toco Toucan. The Toco Toucan is a common bird within the Amazon rainforest and is not classed as endangered, or critically endangered. Instead, they are of least concern. However, their population is decreasing. Although they are found within the Amazon rainforest, the Toco Toucan is found outwith the Amazon rainforest in other places in South America - they are found as far as Argentina.
They are not found in most places in the wild outside the Amazon rainforest. And therefore, these strikingly beautiful birds are unique to the Amazon rainforest.
Fun fact: Toco Toucans have strikingly beautiful blue eyes.
To help save Toucans, Adopt A Toucan Here.
#5 The Macaw
Macaws are one of the Amazon rainforests most recognizable animals - their different colours make these beautiful birds stand out and makes them become instantly recognizable. There are several different species of Macaw that live in South America and within the Amazon rainforest - there are at least 17 known species of Macaw. Two of the most well-known and recognizable Macaw species are the Scarlet Macaw and the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw.
The Scarlet Macaw is found throughout the Amazon rainforest. They are not classed as endangered, or critically endangered. Instead, these birds are classed as ‘least concern’ - therefore, they have a stable population. However, their population is also classed as decreasing, meaning that they are declining.
Likewise, the Blue-and-yellow Macaw is also classed as least concern. However, they are also decreasing in population. The Blue-and-Yellow Macaw is also found in the Amazon rainforest, and they can also be found in the Andes.
Fun fact: Macaws can live up to 60 years in the Amazon rainforest!
To help save Macaws, Adopt A Macaw Here.
#4 The Golden Lion Tamarin
The Golden Lion Tamarin is a monkey that lives within the Amazon rainforest that has the appearance of a Lion, due to their mane-like fur.
The Golden Lion Tamarin stands out in the Amazon rainforest, due to their bright orange fur - their bright orange fur makes these animals stand out amongst the green trees of the Amazon rainforest. Thanks to the work of wildlife conservationists, through 30 years of hard work, the Golden Lion Tamarin was pulled back from the brink of extinction - they were once critically endangered, however, it was announced back in 2003 that wildlife conservationists had successfully increased their population and so they were taken off the critically endangered species list - proving these animals to be a success story.
Today, the Golden Lion Tamarin is classed as endangered.
Fun fact: Their tail is twice is as long as their body.
To help save Golden Lion Tamrins, Adopt A Golden Lion Tamrin.
#3 Sloths
Sloths are one of natures most adorable animals, and they live in the Amazon rainforest. Sloths are well-known for their cute smiling faces and slow-paced nature. The cute animals live in the trees in the Amazon rainforest.
There are two distinct species of Sloth, Two-Toed Sloths and the Three-Toed Sloths. Both of these species have subspecies too. Let’s look at two of their subspecies. The Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth is critically endangered, however, the last time their population was assessed by the IUCN was in 2014, so their status could have changed. Linne’s Two-Toed Sloth is found in the Amazon rainforest. The Linne’s Two-Toed Sloth is classed as least concern, however, the last time they were assessed was in 2013 (least concern means they are not endangered or threatened with extinction).
Fun fact: Sloths can sleep for up to 18 hours in a single day.
To help save Sloths, Adopt A Sloth Here.
#2 Giant River Otter
The Giant River Otter is unique to South America, and can only be found in places in South America: such as the Amazon rainforest.
The Giant River Otter is only found in three rivers, one of those rivers is within the Amazon rainforest. That collection of rivers within the Amazon rainforest is known as the Amazon rainforest - it is in places like the Amazon basin where the Giant River Otter is commonly found inside the Amazon rainforest.
The Giant River Otter is an endangered animal within the Amazon rainforest. According to the IUCN, the population of the Giant River Otter is decreasing. However, their population was last assessed by the IUCN in 2014.
Fun fact: The Giant River Otter is also known as the River Wolf.
To save Otters, Adopt An Otter Here.
Jaguars are one of the worlds seven big cat species. Jaguars are gorgeous animals which are only found in South America, in places like the Amazon.
Sadly though, Jaguars are threatened with extinction. They are classed as a ‘near threatened’ species and their population are declining. Jaguars are threatened with extinction due to the illegal wildlife trade and their forest home being destroyed.
Fun facts: Jaguars are solitary animals and they are strong swimmers.
To help save Jaguars, you can Adopt a Jaguar here.
Sources:
Sources:
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/15953/123791436
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/jaguar
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https://amazonaid.org/species/giant-river-otter/
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18711/21938411
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