Endangered Species Day is May 15, 2020. It is a day for people of all ages around the world to recognize efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats worldwide. It is also an opportunity for people to learn what everyday actions can be done to protect the endangered species in these unfortunate situations.
Our planet is home to over 16,000 species of animals, plants, insects, and creatures that are at risk of becoming extinct, due to threats which include pollution, global warming, overhunting, habitat fragmentation, and overfishing, Endangered Species Day brings attention and awareness to these threats. The recovery and preservation of these species depend on humans.
Costa Rica, where Kids Saving the Rainforest is located, has over two hundred animals on their endangered species list. They find themselves on this list due to multiple factors including human development, deforestation, hunting practices, and the illegal exotic pet trade. Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR) will be offering 50% off all tours and will be educating tour participants about the endangered animals of Costa Rica as well as explaining what we all can do to help save them. We will also be giving classes throughout May to local schools about Endangered Species and the need to save them and the rainforest.
KSTR’s mission is to help these animals get off the endangered species list -
But we can’t do it without your help!!
Won’t you please help the animals by donating to KSTR?
Our planet is home to over 16,000 species of animals, plants, insects, and creatures that are at risk of becoming extinct, due to threats which include pollution, global warming, overhunting, habitat fragmentation, and overfishing, Endangered Species Day brings attention and awareness to these threats. The recovery and preservation of these species depend on humans.
Costa Rica, where Kids Saving the Rainforest is located, has over two hundred animals on their endangered species list. They find themselves on this list due to multiple factors including human development, deforestation, hunting practices, and the illegal exotic pet trade. Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR) will be offering 50% off all tours and will be educating tour participants about the endangered animals of Costa Rica as well as explaining what we all can do to help save them. We will also be giving classes throughout May to local schools about Endangered Species and the need to save them and the rainforest.
KSTR’s mission is to help these animals get off the endangered species list -
But we can’t do it without your help!!
Won’t you please help the animals by donating to KSTR?
LEARN ABOUT THE COSTA RICAN ANIMALS ON THE ENDANGERED LIST:
Jaguars
Jaguars usually live in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. A Jaguar has a yellowish-brown coat with a white stomach and black spots around the body. They are the third largest feline behind the lion and the tiger. Jaguars are carnivores and eat a variety of domestic animals that may be out in the wild. The average lifespan of a Jaguar is usually 12 years in a jungle.
In Costa Rica Jaguars are being killed mainly by hunters and the removal of trees, also known as deforestation. According to veteran Jaguar conservationist Eduardo Carrillo there are only 500 jaguars remaining in Costa Rica. The number of jaguars has declined because humans have chopped down and burned away trees in the rainforest which the jaguars use as their “homes”. Human’s want to build new cities and the forests and grasslands are being cleared away. Jaguars also use the trees for cover, camouflage, and a place to hunt for and eat their food. When they attack and kill a prey they often carry it up trees in rainforests to stay away from competitors, such as cheetahs and leopards, who might want to steal the prey and eat it themselves. Jaguars also climb trees to rest and get a better vantage point on the forest to seek out food. It is now critical that everyone does their part to help with the reforestation of the rainforests to avoid the Jaguars from becoming extinct.
Jaguars usually live in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. A Jaguar has a yellowish-brown coat with a white stomach and black spots around the body. They are the third largest feline behind the lion and the tiger. Jaguars are carnivores and eat a variety of domestic animals that may be out in the wild. The average lifespan of a Jaguar is usually 12 years in a jungle.
In Costa Rica Jaguars are being killed mainly by hunters and the removal of trees, also known as deforestation. According to veteran Jaguar conservationist Eduardo Carrillo there are only 500 jaguars remaining in Costa Rica. The number of jaguars has declined because humans have chopped down and burned away trees in the rainforest which the jaguars use as their “homes”. Human’s want to build new cities and the forests and grasslands are being cleared away. Jaguars also use the trees for cover, camouflage, and a place to hunt for and eat their food. When they attack and kill a prey they often carry it up trees in rainforests to stay away from competitors, such as cheetahs and leopards, who might want to steal the prey and eat it themselves. Jaguars also climb trees to rest and get a better vantage point on the forest to seek out food. It is now critical that everyone does their part to help with the reforestation of the rainforests to avoid the Jaguars from becoming extinct.
Jaguarundi
Jaguarundis are mammals that are native to Central America mostly found in forests of Costa Rica. These mammals are cats that can weight between 10 and 20 pounds. They have a carnivore diets just like a Jaguar. The average lifespan of a jaguarundi is 10 to 20 years. It has a dark, brownish, gray, or a red coat. The jaguarundi is a small slender cat with tiny legs, flat forehead, and small ears.
Due to deforestation and human development, the jaguarundi population in Costa Rica is very small and is considered endangered. The small amount that is still left located in Palo Verde National Park. Population numbers for the jaguarundi are unknown because they are incredibly rare and threatened by habitat loss.
Jaguarundis are mammals that are native to Central America mostly found in forests of Costa Rica. These mammals are cats that can weight between 10 and 20 pounds. They have a carnivore diets just like a Jaguar. The average lifespan of a jaguarundi is 10 to 20 years. It has a dark, brownish, gray, or a red coat. The jaguarundi is a small slender cat with tiny legs, flat forehead, and small ears.
Due to deforestation and human development, the jaguarundi population in Costa Rica is very small and is considered endangered. The small amount that is still left located in Palo Verde National Park. Population numbers for the jaguarundi are unknown because they are incredibly rare and threatened by habitat loss.
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
The scalloped hammerhead shark is found in the tropical waters around Costa Rica. Like other hammerhead sharks, the Scalloped hammerhead can be distinguished by its unique head shape, which resembles that of a hammer. The scalloped hammerhead has a relatively small mouth compared to its body, so its diet mainly consists of smaller prey like stingrays.
Unfortunately, this beautiful animal is listed as critically endangered, mostly due to overfishing. The main culprit behind this is the illegal shark fin trade, which has decimated over 90% of this shark's total population. The rising demand for shark fins has led to the rapid decline in the species. Often, the shark's fin is cut off and the rest of the animal is thrown back into the water to die. One of the main areas where the population has decreased is Golfo Dulce, a small gulf located in the south of Costa Rica.
In February of 2019, the Costa Rican government established Golfo Dulce as a sanctuary for the scalloped hammerhead, which is a great step in the right direction to helping save this species. Along with this, the government is also looking into legally protecting the gulf and surrounding area from illegal fishing practices and other harmful activities. These protections, along with increased public awareness, can help this species rebound and once again flourish.
The scalloped hammerhead shark is found in the tropical waters around Costa Rica. Like other hammerhead sharks, the Scalloped hammerhead can be distinguished by its unique head shape, which resembles that of a hammer. The scalloped hammerhead has a relatively small mouth compared to its body, so its diet mainly consists of smaller prey like stingrays.
Unfortunately, this beautiful animal is listed as critically endangered, mostly due to overfishing. The main culprit behind this is the illegal shark fin trade, which has decimated over 90% of this shark's total population. The rising demand for shark fins has led to the rapid decline in the species. Often, the shark's fin is cut off and the rest of the animal is thrown back into the water to die. One of the main areas where the population has decreased is Golfo Dulce, a small gulf located in the south of Costa Rica.
In February of 2019, the Costa Rican government established Golfo Dulce as a sanctuary for the scalloped hammerhead, which is a great step in the right direction to helping save this species. Along with this, the government is also looking into legally protecting the gulf and surrounding area from illegal fishing practices and other harmful activities. These protections, along with increased public awareness, can help this species rebound and once again flourish.
Great Green Macaw
The Great Green Macaw is a species of bird found mainly in Central and South America in countries like Costa Rica, Columbia, Ecuador, and Panama. The Great Green Macaw, also called the Buffon's or Great Military Macaw, is one of the largest Macaws in the world, second only to the Hyacinth Macaw. They can be anywhere from 33.5 in to 35.5 in and weight close to 3 lbs. Like their name, this bird is covered in beautiful, vibrant green feathers and a bright red band of feathers going over its beak, along with bright blue feathers on the birds tail and lower back. These birds live mainly in lowland forests, where they use almond trees as a food source and also as their nesting sites. Great Green Macaws usually live in small groups of 5 or so members and patrol small areas. Impressively, these birds can live up to 60 years in the wild.
Habitat destruction and being captured and sold into the pet trade has largely depleted this animal’s population. It is estimated that less than 3,500 are left in the wild today, with only 1,500 in Costa Rica. Additionally, the almond tree, which the Macaws use for nesting and food has seen a large increase in harvesting, which has contributed largely to the decimation of this bird’s population. These beautiful majestic birds are yet another victim to the devastating deforestation of our rainforests.
The Great Green Macaw is a species of bird found mainly in Central and South America in countries like Costa Rica, Columbia, Ecuador, and Panama. The Great Green Macaw, also called the Buffon's or Great Military Macaw, is one of the largest Macaws in the world, second only to the Hyacinth Macaw. They can be anywhere from 33.5 in to 35.5 in and weight close to 3 lbs. Like their name, this bird is covered in beautiful, vibrant green feathers and a bright red band of feathers going over its beak, along with bright blue feathers on the birds tail and lower back. These birds live mainly in lowland forests, where they use almond trees as a food source and also as their nesting sites. Great Green Macaws usually live in small groups of 5 or so members and patrol small areas. Impressively, these birds can live up to 60 years in the wild.
Habitat destruction and being captured and sold into the pet trade has largely depleted this animal’s population. It is estimated that less than 3,500 are left in the wild today, with only 1,500 in Costa Rica. Additionally, the almond tree, which the Macaws use for nesting and food has seen a large increase in harvesting, which has contributed largely to the decimation of this bird’s population. These beautiful majestic birds are yet another victim to the devastating deforestation of our rainforests.
Grey-crowned Squirrel
The grey-crowned squirrel or mono titi monkey is the smallest primate subspecies, primarily found in the tropical Rainforests of Central and South America. They have short, olive or grey colored fur with yellow legs and a white face. Grey-crowned squirrel monkeys are omnivores, eating both plants and small animals. Often traveling in large troops, the squirrel monkey can be found among the trees at middle level staying away from predators likely waiting at the bottom and top of the forest.
The Grey-crowned squirrel monkey have been on the endangered list since 1996 when there were only 1200 left in the world. This was mainly caused by the effects of deforestation, which forces the monkeys to use high-voltage wires for transporting themselves when looking for food and shelter. When Kids Saving the Rainforest started 20 years ago, they created wildlife rope bridges which many of the monkeys and other animals use now instead of the wires. Thanks to KSTR and the local hydroelectric company, there are now 5,000 monkeys and they are no longer critically endangered. KSTR has also successfully raised and released the only troop in Costa Rica. Keeping the wildlife bridges safe and functional is an enormous job, due to tropical storms and numerous other factors. These bridges have been a critical life saving feature of our program and have been instrumental in a surge from 1200 Squirrel individuals in the local population to 3700. This is one of the reasons why donations are so important in helping organizations like ours save these amazing animals.
The grey-crowned squirrel or mono titi monkey is the smallest primate subspecies, primarily found in the tropical Rainforests of Central and South America. They have short, olive or grey colored fur with yellow legs and a white face. Grey-crowned squirrel monkeys are omnivores, eating both plants and small animals. Often traveling in large troops, the squirrel monkey can be found among the trees at middle level staying away from predators likely waiting at the bottom and top of the forest.
The Grey-crowned squirrel monkey have been on the endangered list since 1996 when there were only 1200 left in the world. This was mainly caused by the effects of deforestation, which forces the monkeys to use high-voltage wires for transporting themselves when looking for food and shelter. When Kids Saving the Rainforest started 20 years ago, they created wildlife rope bridges which many of the monkeys and other animals use now instead of the wires. Thanks to KSTR and the local hydroelectric company, there are now 5,000 monkeys and they are no longer critically endangered. KSTR has also successfully raised and released the only troop in Costa Rica. Keeping the wildlife bridges safe and functional is an enormous job, due to tropical storms and numerous other factors. These bridges have been a critical life saving feature of our program and have been instrumental in a surge from 1200 Squirrel individuals in the local population to 3700. This is one of the reasons why donations are so important in helping organizations like ours save these amazing animals.
Geoffroy's Spider Monkey
The Geoffroy’s spider monkey is native to Central America and can be found in the upper levels of the forest canopy. Also known as the black-handed spider monkey, the Geoffroy’s spider monkey is known for their long, slender, spider-like limbs. Their fur varies in color from a reddish-brown or black to a light buff color. The Geoffroy’s spider monkey is one of the largest of this species, with the male slightly larger. Their diet consists mainly of fruit.
The Geoffroy’s spider monkey often climb, run or swing from tree limb to tree limb known as “brachiation” and require large amounts of the forest to survive. Their primary source of transportation is being cut away due to deforestation. Deforestation has removed mass amounts of trees. This has forced these spider monkeys to be subject to predators while retreating elsewhere for survival, causing them to be listed as endangered. Over the past 40 years, the Geoffroy’s spider monkey’s population has declined over 50 percent. In Costa Rica, they can be found mainly in the Manuel Antonio and Palo Verde National Parks.
The Geoffroy’s spider monkey is native to Central America and can be found in the upper levels of the forest canopy. Also known as the black-handed spider monkey, the Geoffroy’s spider monkey is known for their long, slender, spider-like limbs. Their fur varies in color from a reddish-brown or black to a light buff color. The Geoffroy’s spider monkey is one of the largest of this species, with the male slightly larger. Their diet consists mainly of fruit.
The Geoffroy’s spider monkey often climb, run or swing from tree limb to tree limb known as “brachiation” and require large amounts of the forest to survive. Their primary source of transportation is being cut away due to deforestation. Deforestation has removed mass amounts of trees. This has forced these spider monkeys to be subject to predators while retreating elsewhere for survival, causing them to be listed as endangered. Over the past 40 years, the Geoffroy’s spider monkey’s population has declined over 50 percent. In Costa Rica, they can be found mainly in the Manuel Antonio and Palo Verde National Parks.
KSTR will be offering 50% all tours on Endangered Species Day and will be educating all tour participants on those animals in Costa Rica that are endangered and what we all can do to help.
