Colombia's Critically Endangered Species Doubled Since 2017

Government data shows that Colombia's critically endangered animal and plant species have doubled since 2017.

The list contains two endangered manatee species, one in the Amazon and one in the Caribbean, as well as a number of Colombia's iconic frailejon plant kinds that are classified as vulnerable or endangered.

Status of Endangered Species

Colombia, with its towering Andes mountains, rich rainforests, and Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, is one of the world's most biodiverse countries.

The environment ministry announced "exhaustive technical" updates to the vulnerable and endangered species list, which was last revised seven years ago.

"We call on environmental and regional authorities to take the necessary steps to protect these threatened species," Vice Minister of Policy and Environmental Normalization Mauricio Cabrera said.

The ministry said there are currently 465 critically endangered species, up from 182 in 2017.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a species is deemed critically endangered if its population is declining significantly and it faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The latest data shows that the number of endangered species surged by 87% to 801, while the number of vulnerable species increased by nearly 22% to 837.

The report comes as Colombia and other Amazon countries are warning of an extreme El Nino weather trend that has led to drought and increased the risk of wildfires.

A recently published study warned that climate change-induced stressors such as drought and heat could impact 10% to 47% of the Amazon's existing forest, pushing it to a tipping point.

There are several underlying causes of this grave scenario.

Deforestation, one of the most serious dangers, continues to deprive many species of their natural habitats. Pollution and unmanaged urban growth aggravate the species' vulnerabilities.

The ministry's focus on endangered wildlife such as the cotton-top tamarin, sawfish, river turtles, and several catfish species, in addition to the iconic manatees, emphasizes the importance of implementing effective conservation techniques. These species, formerly numerous in Colombia's diverse ecosystems, now face an unclear future, with their numbers rapidly declining.

Read Also: Conservation: Two Macaws Now Listed As Endangered Species

Global Biodiversity Effort

As Colombia prepares to host COP16 later this year, the spotlight on its biodiverse but imperiled flora and wildlife provides a unique chance to rally international support and action.

The environment ministry's findings highlight the critical need for comprehensive and coordinated measures to protect these rare natural resources.

The approaching UN biodiversity conference provides an important opportunity for Colombia to lead by example, demonstrating its commitment to reversing the tide of extinction and setting a precedent for global biodiversity conservation. The fight to rescue these species is more than simply Colombia's responsibility; it requires a worldwide response to assure their existence for future generations.

Scientists believe that Colombia's recent report serves as a clear reminder of the problems the world confronts and the urgency with which we must act. The doubling of vulnerable species since 2017 is a wake-up call, emphasizing the impact of human activity on our planet's biodiversity.

As the world's attention turns to Colombia for COP16, there is hope that this pivotal moment may signal a shift in our joint efforts to conserve natural heritage.

Related Article: Critically Endangered Shimmering Hummingbird Seen in Columbia, 12 Years After Last Sighting