Currently, numerous animals that live in the Amazon Forest are threatened with extinction, from mammals, fish, birds and amphibians.
Some of the main causes are: environmental imbalance; hunting and predatory fishing; soil, air and water pollution; climate change; animal trafficking; and loss or fragmentation of habitats.
It is worth remembering that the Amazon Forest, in particular, has a very important environmental function. The increase in the number of animals that make up the list of endangered species has been increasing every year, which has had a great impact on the Brazilian fauna.
Check out a list below with 20 animals that are at risk of extinction in the Amazon.
1. Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
The margay is a feline native to Central and South America. In addition to the Amazon Forest, this species can also be found in other Brazilian biomes.
The design of its fur is very similar to that of the jaguar, making it a hunting target. It is an animal that is at risk of extinction, being classified as vulnerable by the Red Book of Brazilian Fauna threatened with extinction, published by ICMBio.
2. Amazonian Manatee (Trichechus inungui)
The Amazonian manatee is an aquatic mammal considered the smallest of the manatees. It inhabits rivers and freshwater lakes in the Amazon.
It plays an important ecological role in the environment in which it lives, as its food is based on plants that stay on the surface of rivers, prevent them from proliferating and reduce the intensity of the sun's rays in the Water.
This animal is classified as vulnerable by the ICMBio Red Book (2016), and the main reason for the risk of extinction is hunting to use its meat and fat.
3. Ararajuba (Guaruba guarouba)
The Ararajuba is an endemic bird of Brazil that lives mainly in the west of the state of Maranhão and in the southeast of the Amazon.
With yellow on its body and green on its wing tips, it is a victim of animal trafficking. Therefore, it is classified as being at vulnerable risk of extinction, according to the ICMBio Red Book published in 2016.
4. Hawk (Harpy harpy)
The harpy eagle is one of the most powerful eagle species in the world. It can be found in the Amazon region and its main characteristic is the hunting power of different animals, from monkeys to other birds.
The change in the environment in which he lives has harmed his survival. Deforestation is one of the causes for this animal to be considered vulnerable to extinction according to the ICMBio Red Book (2016).
5. Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
THE otter it is a species of giant otter and, in some places, is also known as a water jaguar.
Classified as a vulnerable risk of extinction, the giant otter has been suffering from hunting. In some biomes it is considered to be in danger of extinction.
6. Jaguar (panthera onca)
THE Jaguar is a feline that lives in the Amazon, but it can also be found in the Pantanal biome.
Habitat loss due to deforestation, predatory hunting and population fragmentation are the main endangered jaguars.
Currently, the species is classified as vulnerable to its risk of extinction, according to the ICMBio Red Book, published in 2016.
7. Puma (Puma concolor)
The puma is considered the second largest feline in Brazil. Urban growth has contributed to the risk of extinction of the species, since this way, there was a decrease in its habitat and prey.
According to the most recent publication of the ICMBio Red Book (2016), the puma is classified as a vulnerable risk of extinction.
8. Uakari (Hosomi cacajao)
The uacari is a species of primate that has its origins in Venezuela, but it lives in the state of Amazonas. It is estimated that the total population of this species is 10,000 adult individuals.
Classified as endangered by the ICMBio Red Book, the uacari is a target for hunting by indigenous people.
9. Spider monkey (Atheles Belzebuth)
The spider monkey is a species of primate not endemic to Brazil, but it became a resident in the states of Amazonas and Roraima.
Predatory hunting by indigenous and non-indigenous people is the main cause of the threat of their extinction. According to the Red Book published by ICMBio, the spider monkey is classified as vulnerable.
10. Capuchin Monkey (Sapajus cay)
The capuchin monkey is a species of primate that lives in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. The decrease in its population has been causing alarm among researchers, who point to a decline of more than 30% of individuals.
Factors such as habitat fragmentation, urban expansion, fires and hunting are the main reasons that can extinguish this species. It is classified as vulnerable to extinction risk, according to the ICMBio Red Book.
11. Sauim-de-lear (two-colored saguinus)
The pied tamarin is a primate mammal endemic to Brazil, being resident and native in the state of Amazonas.
The main causes for its extinction are related to fires, urban expansion, hunting and deforestation.
According to the Red Book published by ICMBio, the tamarin is classified as critically endangered.
12. Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
O giant anteater it is not endemic to Brazil, but can be found in all Brazilian biomes.
Also known as the "ant-eater", it has been suffering from deforestation and the reduction of its habitat, which makes its survival worse.
According to the ICMBio Red Book, the giant anteater is classified as a vulnerable risk of extinction.
13. Boss-in-the-coat (Caluromysiops erupts)
The cuíca-de-veste is a mammal of the marsupial family that inhabits the Brazilian forests, in addition to being found in Peruvian territory.
The main cause of its extinction threat would be related to hunting, as this is a slow-moving animal.
According to the ICMBio publication, this species is critically endangered, and may even have been extinct in some places.
14. Caiarara (Cebus kaapori)
The caiarara is endemic to Brazil and lives in the states of Maranhão and Pará. The size of its population has been decreasing over time. Researchers estimate that currently the number of mature individuals is just over 10,000.
The main causes of the threat of extinction would be related to deforestation and the fragmentation of its habitat.
It is classified as Critically Endangered by the ICMBio Red Book, published in 2016.
15. Wild cat (tigrinus leopardus)
The wild cat is a feline that has a wide incidence in Brazil, but the species has been suffering from the fragmentation of its habitat.
According to the Red Book published by ICMBio in 2016, the wild cat is classified as endangered.
16. Purple-breasted Parrot (vinaceous Amazon)
The purple-breasted parrot is a bird that lives in Brazilian territory and is classified, according to the ICMBio Red Book, as vulnerable to extinction.
The main threat to the extinction of this species is related to the destruction of its habitat.
17. Chauá (Rhodocorytha Amazon)
The chauá is a colorful parrot that has a green body and a red head, in addition to having a very strong beak. Due to these characteristics, it is a constant target of animal trafficking.
According to the ICMBio Red Book, this species is classified as a vulnerable risk of extinction.
18. Jacu-crack (Neomorphus geoffroyi amazonus)
The jacu-estalo is an endemic bird of the Atlantic Forest, and it can also be found in some places in the Amazon region.
According to the publication of the Red Book published by ICMBio, the jacu-estalo presents a vulnerable risk of extinction.
19. Gray dolphin (Sotalia guianensis)
The gray dolphin is an animal that belongs to the dolphin family. It can be found in turbid and coastal waters, but it is more common in river basins.
The main causes of its threat are hunting and fishing. According to the ICMBio Red Book, the gray dolphin is indicated as having a vulnerable risk of extinction.
20. Pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis)
The pink dolphin is an endemic species in Brazil, living especially in the rivers of the Amazon basin. It is considered the largest freshwater dolphin.
The population of this species has been decreasing over time, mainly due to the construction of hydroelectric plants. Therefore, it is classified as endangered by the ICMBio Red Book.
Some endangered plants in the Amazon
In the Amazon, there are approximately 20,000 species of plants, many of which are also threatened with extinction.
About 80 species of flora in the Amazon are threatened with extinction and their main causes are: smuggling and inadequate extraction.
According to the "Official List of Species of Brazilian Flora Endangered with Extinction" by the Ministry of the Environment, some endangered plants in the Amazon are:
- tree fern
- Andiroba
- rosewood
- Mahogany
- Cravo-do-Maranhão
- chestnut tree
- Caraja flower
- Cumaru-de-smell
Amazon rainforest
The Amazon Forest, or simply the Amazon, is popularly known as the “lung of the world”, in addition to being considered the largest tropical forest in the world and having the largest biodiversity.
Located in South America, it occupies about 8 thousand square kilometers, covering the territory of nine countries, but most of it belongs to the Brazilian territory.
However, all its dimensions and natural beauty are being threatened with progress and ambition. Over the years, the place is suffering from the expansion of agricultural and livestock frontiers, the increase in fires, logging and illegal hunting and fishing.
To try to alleviate this problem, many projects are allied to this cause, from laws that criminalize logging companies and smugglers, to inspection.
Complement your research by reading the texts:
- Amazon
- All about the Amazon
- Amazon rainforest
- Amazon Animals
