…African Lion, Bengal Tiger, Giant Panda, Arapaima are all endangered and at risk of becoming extinct

Many animals and plants existing now are at risk of becoming lost forever during your lifetime. Usually deserving of our awe and reverence, giants like the African lion; Bengal tiger, African elephant, Mountain Gorilla, Cheetah, Giant Panda, Black Rhino are but a few species that now exist in such small numbers that they are considered endangered and at risk of becoming extinct.
Species become endangered primarily due to the impact of human activities on them. Overharvesting; deforestation; pollution; and climate change are strong factors that influence the population size of species.    These factors lead to habitat loss forcing species out of their range and causing them to perish in new and unfavorable conditions.  High population and poverty are significant social factors that contribute to higher rates of deforestation, overharvesting.  High industrialization as in developed countries impact on pollution levels and climate change.
With its small population and low level of industrialization, the impact on biodiversity in Guyana, is relatively low. Pristine forests cover nearly eighty percent of our country; these and our savannahs and mountains maintain a rich biodiversity, e.g., more than 250 species of mammals and 1,000 species of birds.
Many species that are listed as endangered in other countries exist in healthy populations in Guyana. Nonetheless, human activities such as mining, logging, settlement and hunting are potential threats and must continue to be managed. With local species like the Jaguar, Leatherback Turtle, Harpy Eagle, Giant Otter, Black Caiman and West Indian Manatee, Canje Pheasant and Arapaima being considered endangered, conservation measures are important.
INSURING OUR FUTURE

Conservation of biodiversity (diversity of plants and animals) is important, not only because many of them are beautiful or provide economic benefits for us in the future, but also because they already provide us many valuable services. Biodiversity cleans the air, regulates our weather and water conditions, provide control for crop pests and diseases, and offer a vast genetic “library” from which we can withdraw many useful items. Extinction of a species could potentially mean the loss of a cure for cancer, a new antibiotic drug, or a disease-resistant strain of wheat since each living plant or animal may have values yet undiscovered.

Measures to insure our future against the loss of biodiversity and their potential value has gained momentum since the Earth Summit in 1992.  Countries around the world have signed on to an agreement called the Convention of biological Diversity which commits them to taking actions to conserve biodiversity including endangered species.

Last year was observed as the International Year of Biodiversity and the Decade of Biodiversity has been declared, beginning this year, in an effort to bring biodiversity conservation to the forefront of the international agenda.

Spurred on by the CBD, habitat protection, and species protection and management  have been gaining ground  in protecting rare, threatened, and endangered species. Legislation is another way to protect endangered species and increasingly laws are being developed to address species conservation.  Internationally, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) a treaty, signed by the majority of countries safeguards against overharvesting and excessive trading in endangered species.

Some Endangered Species in Guyana

Giant Otter                      Leatherback turtle            Manatee
Caiman            Giant Armadillo            Arapaima

You can share ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN or email eit.epaguyana@gmail.com