Animals are considered endangered when they are at risk of extinction, either because only a small number of them remain, due to threats from changes in their environment, changing the ratio of predator to prey, and other factors. Nations over the past 50 years have developed laws to protect species from extinction; however, few species are actually on these lists. Many go extinct without the attention or protection of humans, although it is true that probably in all cases during the last century, the machinations of humans have caused the imbalances that have led to the disappearance of thousands of animal and plant species.

Especially in the last century and a half, species have become extinct at a faster rate than at any other time in history. In the case of the Amazon rainforest, which covers parts of Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil, the loss of habitat created by farmers cutting down trees and burning entire tracts of rainforest for cattle grazing and the production of crops, can result in unknowable consequences for the entire planet. The Amazon has been called the lungs of the planet, and its further destruction could accelerate global warming, with devastating consequences for humans and most species on Earth.

Some endangered species of Peru are:

The Andean cat, (Oreailurus jacobita) considered among the five most threatened cats in the world, is considered critically endangered. It is found in the high regions of Peru, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, and it is one of the most timid and least known felines that exist. About the size of a domestic cat, Andean cats feed on various kinds of mice, small birds, and rodents. Along with the pampas cat (Oncifelis colocolo), it is known as “osqhollo” by the Quechua. Factors contributing to their decline may include prey reduction, harvesting of plants that their prey depend on, and hunting by humans.

The yellow-tailed woolly monkey, (Oreonax flavicauda), is a rare species of primate found only in the Peruvian Andes. Fewer than 250 of these monkeys remain in the cloud forests of northern Peru. They have thick hair and long prehensile tails. They eat fruits, leaves, flowers and buds. The loss of habitat due to the destruction of forests for agriculture and livestock has contributed to the critically endangered status of these monkeys.

The pink Amazon river dolphin (Inia Geoffrensis), known as boutu by the jungle dwellers, is classified as a vulnerable species on the endangered species list. It is one of the only five species of freshwater dolphins in the world. It inhabits muddy rivers, relying on echolocation to hunt prey. These dolphins can be pink or pale blue; they are often albinos. Factors that threaten these unique animals include the construction of dams, the construction of canals, and the diversion of river courses.

Kuoda Tours takes travelers to remote regions of the Amazon, where they can see the rainforest first-hand and gain a greater understanding of this vital area and the amazing diversity of species in it.