ravage the rain

Brazil Declares New Protected Area Larger Than Deleware

by Morgan Erickson-Davis

Earlier this week, the Brazilian government announced the declaration of a new federal reserve deep in the Amazon rainforest. The protections conferred by the move will ban deforestation, reduce carbon emissions, and help safeguard the area’s renowned wildlife. Named Alto Maues, the new reserve encompasses 668,000 hectares of mostly pristine forest void of human presence, according to the Brazilian Environment Ministry. The area is home to hundreds of species of animals, including 13 primate and 600 bird species. Of the area’s primates, several are considered threatened with extinction by the IUCN. The red-nosed saki (Chiropotes albinasus), is one of these. Listed as Endangered, the distinctive species needs large tracts of continuous forest, something that is becoming increasingly rare as deforestation fragments its range…

(read more: MongaBay)

In recognition of National Pollinators Week and the importance of pollinators to our health and economy, President Obama signed Presidential Memorandum: Creating a Federal Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators on June 20, 2014.  

CLICK HERE to read the memorandum.

Caquetá titi (Callicebus caquetensis) - In 2010, a team of researchers has found a new species of monkey: the Caquetá titi. This small mammal red beard was located in southern Colombia, through the Amazon forest. According to scientists, the animal in danger of extinction, as its population is about 250 adult animals.