The symbol of Manaus, Sauim-de-Coleira is threatened with extinction due to habitat loss

Robert Novoski

October 24, when Manaus turns 355 years old, also celebrates another date: the Day of Sauim-de-Coleira (Saguinus bicolor), the primate that is the city’s official mascot, endemic to the state of Amazonas and endangered . However, with each anniversary of the city, these small and charismatic primate protectors of the Callitrichidae family, who live in parts of the municipalities of Manaus, Rio Preto da Eva and Itacoatiara, have less and less reason to celebrate.

Tamarins only grow in a small area of ​​around 8,000 km² and the advance of urban and rural areas of these cities into forests is creating a dynamic and accelerated process of habitat loss and fragmentation of the species. Therefore, many tamarin species died out, while others remained isolated in forest fragments, surrounded by buildings, condominiums and/or plantations.

In order to continue to survive, many are forced to move to urban areas in search of shelter and food, where they end up falling victim to being run over, electrocuted and attacked by dogs. As a result of impacts caused by human actions, the conservation situation of this species is deteriorating.

Given this dramatic scenario, tamarins are categorized as a critically endangered species, both on the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and on the National List of Threatened Species of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (mma). This is the category of species that faces the highest risk of extinction in the wild. The situation of this species is so serious that it was recently included in the list of the 25 Most Endangered Primates in the World (2018-2020), created by IUCN, the International Society of Primatology and Rewilding.

To change this reality, the Sauim-de-Coleira Institute (ISC), a non-profit Civil Society Organization, brings together the most renowned scientists in the fields of primatology, ecology, management, environmental conservation and education to find solutions for conservation. species. Since 2019, ISC has advanced scientific research, conservation, education, and articulation of public policy to protect tamarins and their habitats, contributing to an environmentally healthy, economically prosperous, and socially just Amazon. Currently, ISC is coordinating an interagency study funded by Re:wild to identify priority areas for tamarin conservation, which will guide public policy for the conservation of the species.

“We are a diverse people in terms of knowledge, life experience, origins, ideology and training. What unites us is the cause, the anxiety to do something different and the belief that there is another way to take the tamarin off the path to extinction”, explains ISC president, Maurício Noronha.

“The situation of this species is even more serious because currently, in the state of Amazonas, we live in an environment that does not support tamarin conservation efforts. Most people do not know about primates and the idea of ​​forests as vast forests with unlimited resources and nature conservation as a concept that is at odds with development still persists in the imagination of local people. We need to bust these myths. This misinformation makes it difficult to implement strategies to conserve this species”, adds Maurício.

environmental education

ISC has developed studies and actions to promote the conservation of tamarins and their habitats. One of them is the Sauim na Escola Program, which since 2023 aims to increase awareness about the importance of species conservation in schools located in areas affected by Conservation Units where sauin grows.

In about a year, the project served more than 3,000 children through activities to encourage reading and free distribution of educational books “O Sauim Isso e Aquilo”. ISC’s goal is to increase the number of schools that benefit from this initiative.

“We believe that education changes society, which is why we encourage reading. And this is very important, especially in a country where 4 out of 10 Brazilians are functionally illiterate. Additionally, we give children from the margins the opportunity to access a cultural asset that is increasingly difficult to access: books. Our goal is to make children future ambassadors for tamarin conservation. Once they are sensitized, they will apply these concepts to their personal lives, outside the school environment, and become multipliers of environmental conservation,” said Maurício.

For him, conservation of tamarins and their habitat is one way to improve the quality of life not only for the symbolic primates of Manaus, but also for everyone. “Environmental damage is increasingly causing problems for human survival, and it is hoped that effective action in conserving tamarins can contribute to mitigating environmental problems and encouraging a more sustainable future,” he concluded.

To stay up to date with other news and receive exclusive content fromEM TIME Portalvisit our channel atWhat is it. Click here and join us! 🚀📱

Source link

Leave a Comment

mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd mbd