Here are just seven Amazon rainforest endangered species.
The Amazon is home to more than 40,000 plants and over 4,000 animal species including 3,000 freshwater fish, thousands of birds and butterflies, and mammals – these are just the ones that humans have discovered. Aside from supporting such a rich biodiversity, the Amazon is also the world’s largest rainforest, playing a crucial role in helping absorb and store carbon dioxide amid increases in global carbon emissions. However, rampant deforestation and increasing wildfire events exacerbated by climate change are destroying more natural habitats every day, threatening the survival of many important and rare species. The situation deteriorated under the administration of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who famously encourages logging and mining activities, causing deforestation rates to reach a 15-year high . Despite the results of last year’s presidential elections raising hope for the future of the Amazon, countless animals remain on the brink of extinction. Here are just seven Amazon rainforest endangered species.