Bolivia has a great diversity of flora and fauna, however, there are also many animal species that face the risk of disappearing as a result of human activity. Facing imminent extinction, not all species are in programs to prevent this from happening.
Next, we present the 10 endangered animals of Bolivia. Keep reading!
Bolivian chinchilla rat
The chinchilla rat, or Abrocoma boliviensis, is a small rodent endemic to Bolivia, specifically from the cloud forests where rocky areas abound. Its color can vary between grayish dorsal fur or brown tones, while the belly is whitish. It feeds on grasses and bushes.
According to data provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature [1], the chinchilla rat is threatened due to invasion of its habitat for agricultural and livestock purposes In addition, it is hunted for its fur
False Vampire
The Vampyrum spectrum, known as the spectral or false vampire, is a kind of bat about 80 centimeters in length and a weight of up to 150-190 grams, which make it one of the largest species of bats. Its fur is dark brown or orange, it feeds on amphibians, reptiles, small birds and insects. It inhabits forests, savannahs and jungles.
It is in danger of extinction in Bolivia and the rest of the countries in which it is found, such as Peru or Mexico, due to the destruction of its habitat by invasion, which has caused theloss of their dens and the displacement of other species , a fact that also makes it difficult for them to obtain food, as indicated by the IUCN[2]
Emperor Marmoset
The emperor tamarin (Saguinus imperator) is a species found in both dry and rainy forests, surviving in the treetops. Its fur varies between black and gray, with yellowish tones on the back and back. It feeds on fruits, sap, herbs, spiders, ants, beetles and small vertebrates, such as frogs and reptiles, making it an omnivorous animal.
The emperor tamarin is threatened due to deforestation of its habitat and land use for agriculture and mining, causing the accelerated decline of the species.
Bolivian Dolphin
The Bolivian dolphin (Inia boliviensis) is the only typical cetacean of Bolivia and is found exclusively in the rivers of the Bolivian Amazon region. It is a solitary species for most of its life, except for the phase of the reproductive cycle, after which the young remain next to their mothers. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans or other aquatic animals.
It is one of the most endangered animals in Bolivia, mainly because of river pollution produced by boat engines. In addition to this, their habitat has been destroyed for the construction of dams and waterways.
Andean Ostrich
The Pterocnemia pennata, also called Andean ostrich, suri or Andean rhea, is a bird 1.20 meters tall and 25 kilos. He cannot fly, but he is a good runner, able to exceed 60 kilometers per hour to flee from possible threats. Its plumage is greyish, brown or whitish. It is a omnivorous bird, so it consumes vegetables, herbs, fruits and small animals. Their reproductive cycle is very curious, since the males mark territories while the females approach the nests of different males to incubate the eggs.
This species is threatened due to hunting of ostrich and eggs; in addition to this, logging and burning of its habitat have been essential elements for the decline of the species.
Satan beetle
The satan beetle or flashlight beetle (Dynastes satanas) is a very rare and striking species due to its taxonomic characteristics. Males are larger than females and have a large horn on the prothorax and a smaller one that protrudes from the head. Its life cycle is short, only two years. It lives in wooded and humid areas.
It is in danger of extinction in Bolivia due to the alteration of its habitat for agricultural activities, in addition to the burning of trees.
Andean cat
The Leopardus jacobita, or Andean cat, is a small, silver-gray feline with large, rounded ears, which give it an acute sense of hearing. It is characterized by a long and fluffy tail that covers a third of its body, weighs between 4 and 7 kilos. It is a carnivorous animal and feeds on small rodents, birds and reptile eggs.
It is threatened by trophy hunting, as it is stuffed to be used as a good luck charm. The destruction of its habitat has also had a considerable influence on the decline of the species, and the hunting of the Bolivian chinchilla rat, its main source of food.
Guanaco
The guanco (Lama guamicoe) is a mammal similar to the llama, but smaller. It has a small head with large eyes and ears, it inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, but also mountainous areas and lands at 4,500 meters above sea level. It is a herbivorous animal, so it feeds on herbs, grass and nuts. Its character is calm and it lives in groups of up to 30 individuals.
It is another of the most endangered animals in Bolivia due to hunting for its meat andcontinued destruction of their habitat . Despite this, it is a protected species through regulations and laws against hunting.
Chilimero peccary
Also called tagua, the Catagonus wagneri is a mammal endemic not only to Bolivia, but also to Paraguay and Argentina. It lives in dry areas with thorny vegetation, where it feeds on cacti and other plants it can get.
Thought to be extinct until 1975, when the species was rediscovered. It is critically endangered in Bolivia and other countries because it is hunted for its meat.
Mountain lion
The Puma concolor, or mountain lion, is a feline that inhabits the entire American continent, from Canada to South America, where it is found mainly in the vicinity of the Andes mountain range. It is one of the largest cats in the world and prefers to hunt its prey in areas with vegetation, where it is easy for it to hide to stalk.
It is at risk of extinction in Bolivia and the rest of the states since the colonization of America. Currently its greatest threats are hunting to trade its parts or for sport and habitat destruction.
