The Caribbean's exotic plants and animals are a large part of the natural beauty which attracts many international visitors to the region. In fact, one third of the area's wildlife and plants are found only there. Unfortunately, many native species are either endangered, threatened or, in some cases, already extinct. Part of the reason for this is because many species have such a small range - in some cases only a few square miles on one particular island. But other factors also contribute to their low numbers, such as the expansion of humans and limited gene pools that make them more vulnerable to disease.
In the Sea
Marine life has been hit especially hard in the Caribbean. Even with protective legislation in place, illegal poaching continues to reduce many populations. Sea turtles, queen conch and coral are among the most notable cases. Six of the seven species of sea turtles call the Caribbean their home. Unfortunately, they are frequently hunted for their meat and shells. The queen conch is another lucrative catch for local fishermen, offering meat, shells, and pearls. Increased demand for these items has caused a drastic decline in conch numbers. Some types of coral have also experienced over-harvesting
Manatees, whales, and seals have also fallen prey to people. In the case of the Caribbean monk seal (now believed to be extinct), fishermen considered them pests and killed them simply so they wouldn't eat fish. Manatees and the North Atlantic Right Whale - one of the rarest mammals in the world - have suffered as a result of both over-hunting and boating accidents. Their tendency to swim slowly near the water's surface often results in collisions with ships and powerboats.
Pollution, diseases, increasing ocean temperatures, and human development all pose additional dangers for water-dwellers.
On Land
Caribbean land animals face plenty of hazards, too. Although many lizards, snakes, and other reptiles are specifically raised to provide products such as leather, rare reptiles are still subject to poaching. In some cases, fear leads people to kill certain species, like the Aruba Island Rattlesnake. On the other hand, reptiles fascinate some people, leading to their sale as pets.
An even larger business is the parrot trade. People want parrots as pets because of their beautiful colors, ability to talk, and intelligence. Parrots produce only one or two chicks per year, however, meaning they can't breed fast enough to replace the vast numbers taken from the wild. In addition, poachers chop down trees in order to reach them, effectively destroying their natural habitat. Captured parrots are often crammed together into small bags, lacking adequate food, water, and air and an estimated 80% of them die before reaching their destination.
One of the major causes of endangerment for both plants and animals is invasive species. Beginning with the first European colonists, a variety of foreign animals and plants have been brought to the Caribbean islands. Many of the newcomers thrived, depleting native species. Even those introduced with good intentions have caused havoc. The Small Indian Mongoose, for example, has been imported by many countries to control rodents and snakes. Unfortunately, in Jamaica, their voracious appetites have decimated five endemic animal species - one lizard, one snake, two birds, and one rodent.
Ironically, even re-established colonies of endangered species can negatively effect others. Once thought extinct, the Bahamian hutia (a type of rodent) made a comeback on one particular cay in the Bahamas. In an effort to promote re-population, some of them were transferred to other cays, where they bred to greater numbers than the cays could support and devastated many of the native plants.
Help For Endangered Species
Fortunately, nature preserves, conservation centers, gardens, and zoos throughout the Caribbean help to preserve dwindling species. For visitors who want to experience an island's true nature, these may be the best places to find it.
Tourists should be aware that animals, plants, and certain souvenir items may be illegal to buy or to import to their home country. Many Caribbean nations signed on to the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) treaty. Under CITES, international trade of wildlife and animal products are monitored and regulated. In addition, most countries have their own laws regarding endangered species. For more information, visit the World Wildlife Fund.
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