15 animals threatened with extinction in Brazil

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 28 January 2021
Update Date: 25 December 2024
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Endangered Species in Brazil
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Brazil is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in its native fauna and flora. It is estimated that between 10 and 15% of all species in the world inhabit Brazilian ecosystems. However, the South American country has more than 1,150 animals at risk of extinction, which means that more than 9.5% of the fauna is in a state of risk or vulnerability currently.

In this article by PeritoAnimal, we present 15 animals threatened with extinction in Brazil, which stand out for being very emblematic species of the Brazilian fauna and whose populations have undergone a radical process of decline in recent decades, mainly due to hunting and deforestation in their natural habitat. Keep reading!


Names of endangered animals in Brazil

This is a list with the 15 names of animals at risk of extinction in Brazil. In the other sections you will see a complete description of each animal, as well as the reasons why they are at risk of extinction.

  1. Pink dolphin;
  2. Guara wolf;
  3. Otter;
  4. Black pew;
  5. Jacutinga;
  6. Sand grenadier;
  7. Northern Muriqui;
  8. Yellow Woodpecker;
  9. Leaf toad;
  10. Leather turtle;
  11. Armadillo-ball;
  12. Uakari;
  13. Cerrado bat;
  14. Golden Lion tamarin;
  15. Jaguar.

15 animals at risk of extinction in Brazil

According to the Taxonomic Catalog of Species of Brazil, carried out at the initiative of the Ministry of the Environment, around 116,900 species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals that make up the Brazilian fauna. But, as we mentioned in the introduction, almost 10% of species are animals at risk of extinction in Brazil.


Animals at risk of extinction in Brazil are classified into the following three categories, depending on their conservation status: vulnerable, endangered or critical. Logically, critically endangered species are those that are most at risk of disappearing and require immediate attention from authorities, private initiatives and non-profit organizations with protectionist actions.

According to assessments carried out between 2010 and 2014 by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), together with the Ministry of the Environment, the Atlantic Forest is the most affected biome in recent decades, with more than 1,050 endangered species. These studies also reveal that, among vertebrate animals at risk of extinction in Brazil, there are approximately 110 mammals, 230 birds, 80 reptiles, 40 amphibians and more than 400 threatened fish (marine and continental).


Considering these high and regrettable numbers, it is evident that we will not even come close to mentioning all the threatened species in Brazilian ecosystems. However, we made a great effort to select the 15 endangered animals in Brazil that stand out for being animals typical of Brazil or endemic to the country. After this brief explanation, we can move on to our list of endangered animals.

pink dolphin

O Amazon pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), known as pink dolphin in Brazil, is the biggest freshwater dolphin of the world, being characterized by the pink color of its skin. In Brazilian folk culture, there is a well-known legend that these cetaceans used to take advantage of their great beauty to seduce young, unmarried women in the Amazon region.

Unfortunately, the pink dolphin is among the animals at greatest risk of extinction in Brazil, since its population decreased by more than 50% in the last 30 years, mainly due to fishing and the construction of hydroelectric plants in the voluminous bodies of water of the Amazon rivers.

Guara wolf

O Guara wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and the largest canid originating in South America, mainly inhabiting the Pampas region and the great marshes of Brazil (the famous Brazilian Pantanal). It is characterized by its tall, thin body, with well-styled lines, and the darker reddish color on the legs (almost always black). Deforestation of its habitat and hunting are the main threats to the survival of this species.

otter

THE otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), popularly known as river wolf, is a freshwater aquatic mammal, recognized as a giant otter and is among the 15 animals threatened with extinction in Brazil. Its natural habitat extends from the Amazon region to the Brazilian Pantanal, but its population has sharply declined thanks to water contamination (mainly by heavy metals such as mercury), fishing and illegal hunting.

black cushy

O black pew (satan chiropots) is a species of small monkey, native to the Amazon, which lives mainly in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. His appearance is very striking, not only for his completely black and shiny fur, but also for the long, dense hair that forms a kind of beard and tuft on his head, making them never go unnoticed.

It is currently considered in a critical state of extinction danger, as their survival is threatened by food shortages caused by deforestation, hunting and illegal trafficking of exotic species.

jacutinga

THE jacutinga(Aburria jacutinga) It is a species of endemic bird of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest which is also among the 15 animals at risk of extinction in Brazil. Its plumage is mostly black, with some white or cream-colored feathers on the sides, chest and head.

Its beak may have a greenish tinge and its characteristic small double chin displays a combination of deep blue and red. Today, this is one of the birds with the greatest risk of extinction in Brazilian ecosystems and is already extinct in several regions of the Northeast and Southeast of the country.

sand grenadier

THE sand gecko (Liolaemus lutzae) is a type of gecko endemic to the state of Rio de Janeiro. Its popular name comes from its natural habitat, found in the sand strips that extend along the entire Rio de Janeiro coast, with approximately 200 km in length.

With the unstoppable urbanization and the progressive pollution of the beaches in Rio, the survival of these lizards has become impossible. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of its population has disappeared and sand lizards are among the animals at risk of extinction in Brazil classified as in critical condition.

Northern Muriqui

In Brazil, the word "muriqui" is used to name various species of monkeys small and medium-sized animals that inhabit ecosystems covered by the Atlantic Forest and are generally typical Brazilian animals.

O northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus), also known as the mono-carvoeiro, stands out for being the biggest primate that inhabits the american continent and also for being among the 15 animals threatened with extinction in Brazil, where its main habitat is. Its conservation status became considered critical in recent decades due to indiscriminate hunting, the absence of effective legislation to protect this species and the intense deforestation that continues to occur in its natural habitat.

Yellow Woodpecker

O yellow woodpecker (Celeus flavus subflavus), as it is called in Brazil, is a very important bird for the popular culture, as it inspired the famous work of children's and youth literature called "Sitio do pica-pau Amarelo", written by Monteiro Lobato and adapted for television and cinema with enormous success.

This is an endemic bird from Brazil, which naturally is very similar to the other types of woodpecker, but stands out for having a predominantly plumage. Yellow. It is among the 15 animals threatened with extinction in Brazil, as it is estimated that only about 250 individuals remain today and its habitat is constantly threatened by deforestation and fires.

leaf toad

O leaf toad (Proceratophrys sanctaritae) is Brazil's endemic species, discovered in 2010 in the Serra de Timbó, located in the state of Bahia, in the northeast region of the country. Its appearance is very striking, with the body in a shape very similar to that of a leaf and predominantly brown or slightly greenish colors, which facilitate its camouflage in its environment.

Unfortunately, along with its discovery, its critical state of conservation was also found, since very few individuals are able to resist the food shortage caused by deforestation that its habitat has been suffering to give rise to new cocoa and banana plantations, as well as to the expansion of cattle ranching.

Leather turtle

THE leather turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), also known as giant turtle or keel turtle, is the largest species of sea turtle in the world and lives in the tropical and temperate oceans of the American continent. In Brazil, these reptiles approach the coast of Espírito Santo every year to spawn and continue to be poaching victims, despite the efforts of protectionist organizations and initiatives.

In some countries, the consumption of their meat, eggs and oil not only continues to be allowed, but they are also high value products on the market. This encourages indiscriminate capture and hunting and makes it difficult to protect this species. Unfortunately, the leatherback is in a critical state of conservation, currently being one of the most endangered animals in Brazil.

armadillo ball

O armadillo ball (Tricinctus tolypeutes) is a species of armadillo endemic to Northeast Brazil, which gained international recognition after being chosen as the official mascot of the FIFA World Cup in 2014. This species of so peculiar and beautiful appearance stands out as one of the animals best adapted to the most arid region of the country, the Caatinga.

Despite its great resistance and adaptability, the armadillo population has been reduced by almost half in the last two decades, due to hunting and predation and contamination of its natural habitat.

uacari

O uacari (Hosomi cacajao) is another primate native to the Amazon region that is unfortunately among the 15 animals threatened with extinction in Brazil. It is characterized by its medium size, small face with large bulging eyes and dark hair with reddish highlights.

For several centuries, this species inhabited the indigenous lands of the Yanomami tribes, living in harmony with its members. However, the reduction of indigenous reserves, illegal hunting aimed at trafficking species and deforestation have threatened their survival in recent decades and today the uacari monkeys are in a critical state of conservation.

savannah bat

O savannah bat (Lonchophylla dekeyseri), as it is known in Brazil, is one of the smallest species of bats that inhabit the American continent, weighing about 10 to 12 grams and is among the animals with nocturnal habits.

This animal is endemic to the Brazilian cerrado, where lives mainly in caves and holes regions with the presence of Atlantic Forest. In addition to deforestation and environmental degradation, the absence of infrastructure and tourism organization that respects the native fauna and flora is also one of the biggest threats to their survival.

Golden Lion tamarin

O Golden Lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), as it is called in Brazil, is the most representative species of lion tamarin of the Brazilian fauna, and almost disappeared thanks to indiscriminate hunting for the trafficking of exotic species and the deforestation of their natural habitat

Their situation became so critical that the last living representatives of the species were limited to small nature reserves of the state of Rio de Janeiro. With the creation and growth of protectionist projects and initiatives, it is estimated that it will be possible to gradually recover part of its population in the country. However, for now, the golden lion tamarin remains among the endangered animals with higher danger.

Jaguar

the beautiful Jaguar (panthera onca) and the largest cat that lives in American ecosystems, being also known as jaguar in Brazil. Originally, these animals occupied practically all Brazilian biomes, but hunting, the advance of agricultural activities and the deforestation of their habitat caused a radical decline in their population.

Their fur remains of high market value and it is still common for landowners to kill these felines to protect their livestock, just as they do with pumas. For all that, the jaguar is at risk of extinction in Brazil and its conservation status is even more critical in neighboring countries, such as Argentina and Paraguay, where the species is about to be extinct.

Is the Hyacinth Macaw one of the animals at risk of extinction in Brazil?

After the huge success of the animated film "Rio", several controversies and questions were raised about the conservation status of the hyacinth macaw, as it is known in Brazil. But before knowing whether these beautiful birds are threatened with extinction in Brazil, we must clarify a very important question.

É It is common to call four different species of hyacinth macaws, belonging to the genres Anodorhynchus (in which 3 of these 4 species are found) and Cyanopsitta, which stand out for having a plumage entirely or mainly in shades of blue. This variety of species generated some confusion when talking about the conservation status of the hyacinth macaw.

But when we talk about the most popular hyacinth macaw, we are referring to the species Cyanopsitta spixii, which stars in the movie "Rio". Currently, this species is extinct in nature, as there are no longer individuals living freely in their natural habitat. The last surviving specimens (less than 100) are developed in a controlled manner in captivity and are protected by initiatives that seek to recover the hyacinth macaw population of the Brazilian fauna. However, it is not correct to say that the species disappeared, data that we could hear in the year 2018.

If you want to read more articles similar to 15 animals threatened with extinction in Brazil, we recommend that you enter our Endangered Animals section.