by KIKE CALVO
Colombia has updated its list of threatened species for the first time since 2017, adding hundreds of species due to threats like deforestation, mining, and illegal hunting. The country now has 2,103 species listed as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. This includes 465 critically endangered species, 801 endangered species, and 837 vulnerable species. Emblematic species at risk include the Harlequin Toad, Venezuelan troupial, Magdalena River turtle, Cotton-top tamarin, and Amazonian manatee. Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with over 56,000 species. The Ministry of Environment has called for local and regional authorities to strengthen strategies to protect these threatened species. For more information, you can read the full article on Mongabay.
Colombia Blog Series by Colombia Photo Expeditions, in which Kike Calvo profiles interesting information, research and thoughts on Colombia for journalism, ecotourism, natural history, science, exploration and photography.