9 Awesome Animals That Showcase Mexico’s Biodiversity One of the World’s Most Megadiverse Nations According to Mexico’s National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), Mexico makes up only 1 percent of the Earth’s land area but is home to an amazing 10 percent of all of the species known to science. Its rainforests are among the richest reservoirs of biological diversity on the planet and its habitats are home to a broad array of wildlife including many species that migrate to and from the United States and other areas. With our partners, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps to protect the following 9 animals, that represent the incredible biodiversity of Mexico. Monarch Butterflys Mexican Gray Wolves California Condors Bats Recent estimates indicate that monarch populations have decreased by 90%. We work with our Mexican partners to protect their winter habitat and migratory routes through education and sustainable agriculture programs. In collaboration with Mexican zoos & partners, we are enhancing captive breeding programs that aim to strengthen the wild Mexican wolf population. ey are North America’s most endangered wolf species. Previously on the verge of extinction, captive breeding programs have re-established wild populations of condors in the U.S. & Mexico. We continue to work with partners in Mexico to strengthen recovery efforts. Bats are important regulators of insect populations and also pollinate plants like agave, used to make syrup & tequila. We work with partners to protect bat caves and lead education programs. Sharks 21 species of sharks in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean are threatened because of overfishing. With our partners, we are assessing strategies to better manage fisheries and conserve sharks in Mexico. Bees Native bee species are culturally & economically important for Mayan communities. We are working with partners to restore important bee habitat and also help educate honey producers on best practices. Humpback Whales Increased interest in whale-watching tours on Mexican coasts can harm whales if not conducted properly. With our partners we are providing education and training to tour operators & communities. Jaguars As powerful apex predators, jaguars have been documented to eat over 80 kinds of animals. Unfortunately, they are oſten killed in retaliation for attacking cattle. Working with our partners, our projects help alleviate these conflicts and protect jaguars. Scarlet Macaws eir beautiful and vibrant colors make scarlet macaws a favorite pet bird. But illegal capture coupled with habitat loss has endangered them in Mexico. We are supporting the reintroduction of scarlet macaws in Los Tutxlas Biosphere Reserve. Image Credits: Lokal_Profil (adapted Mexico Map) Levi Novey (Jaguar) Chris Packam / WCS (Macaw) Ryan Moehring / USFWS (Monarch) Jim Clark / USFWS (Wolf) Chuck Szmurlo / GNU free license (Condor) Merlin Tuttle / Bat Conservation International (Bat) Jeff Kubina / Creative Commons license (Shark) Sylkye Rohrlach / Creative Commons license (Whale) Ricardo AB / Creative Commons license (Bee)
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9 Awesome Animals That Showcase Mexico’s Biodiversity
One of the World’s Most Megadiverse NationsAccording to Mexico’s National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), Mexico makes up only 1 percent of the Earth’s land area but is home to an amazing 10 percent of all of the species known to science. Its rainforests are among the richest reservoirs of biological diversity on the planet and its habitats are home to a broad array of wildlife including many species that migrate to and from the United States and other areas. With our partners, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helps to protect the following 9 animals, that represent the incredible biodiversity of Mexico.
Monarch Butterflys
Mexican Gray Wolves
California Condors
Bats
Recent estimates indicate that monarch populations have decreased by 90%. We work with our Mexican partners to protect their winter habitat and migratory routes through education and sustainable agriculture programs.
In collaboration with Mexican zoos & partners, we are enhancing captive breeding programs that aim to strengthen the wild Mexican wolf population. They are North America’s most endangered wolf species.
Previously on the verge of extinction, captive breeding programs have re-established wild populations of condors in the U.S. & Mexico. We continue to work with partners in Mexico to strengthen recovery efforts.
Bats are important regulators of insect populations and also pollinate plants like agave, used to make syrup & tequila. We work with partners to protect bat caves and lead education programs.
Sharks
21 species of sharks in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean are threatened because of overfishing. With our partners, we are assessing strategies to better manage fisheries and conserve sharks in Mexico.
Bees
Native bee species are culturally & economically important for Mayan communities. We are working with partners to restore important bee habitat and also help educate honey producers on best practices.
Humpback Whales
Increased interest in whale-watching tours on Mexican coasts can harm whales if not conducted properly. With our partners we are providing education and training to tour operators & communities.
Jaguars
As powerful apex predators, jaguars have been documented to eat over 80 kinds of animals. Unfortunately, they are often killed in retaliation for attacking cattle. Working with our partners, our projects help alleviate these conflicts and protect jaguars.
Scarlet Macaws
Their beautiful and vibrant colors make scarlet macaws a favorite pet bird. But illegal capture coupled with habitat loss has endangered them in Mexico. We are supporting the reintroduction of scarlet macaws in Los Tutxlas Biosphere Reserve.
Image Credits: Lokal_Profil (adapted Mexico Map)Levi Novey (Jaguar)Chris Packam / WCS (Macaw)Ryan Moehring / USFWS (Monarch) Jim Clark / USFWS (Wolf) Chuck Szmurlo / GNU free license (Condor) Merlin Tuttle / Bat Conservation International (Bat)Jeff Kubina / Creative Commons license (Shark)Sylkye Rohrlach / Creative Commons license (Whale)Ricardo AB / Creative Commons license (Bee)
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