Illegal mining for minerals like gold is driving Amazonia deforestation. Empowering Indigenous peoples to care for biodiversity-rich areas is the key!
Tag Archives: Guyana
Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis
The agile and graceful tumbling Olympians of the Amazonian rivers, Giant #Otters are able to swim 100 metres in less than 30 seconds. They are also known as the Lobo de Rio (the River wolf), Los Lobos del Rio (Wolves of the River) and Ariranha. They are most active in the mornings and evenings and take a siesta during the hottest parts of the day. Known for their striking size and the chorus of whistles and barks echoing through flooded forests, giant otters are social, vocal, and deeply bonded to their family groups. But the rivers they call home are under siege. The most significant threats to giant otters are anthropogenic pressures of deforestation for palm oil, soy and meat, pollution from mining and climate change. They are also illegally hunted and traded for their pelts or killed in retribution by fishermen. Help them and be #vegan, use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Channel-billed Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus
Deep in the heart of the #Amazon rainforest, a flash of vibrant colour moves between the towering canopy trees. The Channel-billed #Toucan Ramphastos vitellinus is a striking bird endemic to #Colombia, #Venezuela, #Ecuador, #Peru, Brazil and #Bolivia with a massive, curved bill and a raucous voice that echoes through the jungle. With their large, expressive eyes and vivid markings, these toucans are more than just symbols of tropical biodiversity—they are crucial players in the rainforest ecosystem, dispersing seeds that sustain the lush vegetation.
But their world is shrinking. The relentless destruction of the Amazon for cattle ranching, soy production, #palmoil and #goldmining is closing in on them. Habitat loss, hunting, and the wildlife trade are pushing them towards localised declines. In some parts of their range, they are disappearing entirely. Use your wallet as a weapon—fight for their survival. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
