22 ENDANGERED ANIMALS in PANAMA - Names, photos and VIDEO

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Image: NaturaLista

Panama is a paradisiacal country located in Central America and famous for the canal that connects the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Given its hot tropical climate and the local ecosystems, Panama is a country with a huge variety of fauna and flora.

However, many of the species that inhabit this region are threatened with extinction, mainly due to the careless action of man against nature and natural resources: pollution, indiscriminate hunting, destruction of natural habitats, etc.

From Ecologist Verde we want you to know 22 animals in danger of extinction in Panama, with pictures and descriptions. However, the number is increasing incessantly every day despite the constant struggle carried out by environmental organizations.

Panama golden frog (Atelopus zeteki)

The Panama golden frog It is endemic to the Panamanian territory, specifically to the tropical humid forests of the country, especially streams.

Your situation is extremely critical, so much so that it is considered extinct in the wild since 2007. Threats focus on the destruction of forests, pollution and illegal trafficking of species. Fortunately, today there are various conservation programs that are struggling to reproduce this species of frog in captivity.

Of golden appearance, this amphibian measures around 45 millimeters and weighs approximately 5 grams, the males being smaller than the females, the latter being able to reach up to 63 millimeters and 15 grams. A peculiarity of the species is that it communicates with other amphibians, in addition to guttural sounds, with body language, making gestures with its front legs.

Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

The quetzal, Central American quetzal or Mesoamerican quetzal It is one of the most representative and symbolic birds of Panama. Its area of distribution extends from the south of Mexico, through Guatemala and to the west of Panama.

The color of its plumage is the first thing that catches the attention of this animal, with colors such as iridescent green in most of the body, chest and deep red belly and reflections of gold, blue and purple. However, the colors of the females are much duller and their tail shorter.

In size, it can measure up to 40 centimeters and weigh about 200 grams. This not particularly fast flying bird is essentially frugivorous, although it also occasionally feeds on insects.

Unfortunately, this species is in a near threatened status according to the IUCN and the number of specimens is decreasing. The causes, once again, focus on human action, such as the destruction of their habitat and the capture of the species.

In this other post by Green Ecologist we will tell you more about why the quetzal is in danger of extinction.

Panamanian night monkey (Aotus zonalis)

Another of the endangered animals in Panama is the species known as Aotus zonalis. The Panamanian night monkey, Chocoano night monkey or Panamanian night monkey it is a primate with a long tail and huge eyes adapted to its nocturnal habits. Its territory is distributed only from Panama to the Chocó region, in Colombia.

It is a monkey of a rather small size, around 900 grams, the females being somewhat smaller. Their fur has brown and reddish colors on the back, yellow on the belly, and black or dark brown on the hands.

The Panamanian is of arboreal habits, being able to find specimens in a great variety of forests. It usually lives in small groups of two to six individuals. In addition, it should be noted that they are territorial and monogamous. The number of individuals in the wild is not currently known, but deforestation and pollution seriously threaten their persistence.

Image: Flickr

Central American Puma (Puma concolor costaricensis)

Another of the species in a state of vulnerability that sees its habitat threatened is the Central American puma concolor, Central American puma or Costa Rican puma. With luck, you can still find specimens in wet and dry forests of Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, although hunting is also one of the threats that most endangers this species.

It weighs between 24 and 65 kilos, with a small head and long legs. The colors vary between reddish, brown and yellowish. In addition, their bright yellow eyes stand out.

It is a solitary, territorial, silent and nocturnal species that can travel long distances to hunt. One of its main prey is the white-tailed deer, although it eats many other species of mammals, occasionally attacking even domestic livestock.

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja)

The harpy eagle, greater harpy or harpy is he national bird of Panama. Its territory extends through Central America and South America, inhabiting mainly humid or rainy forests.

It is the largest bird on the continent, around 100 centimeters long, 200 centimeters wide and weighing about 10 kilos, with males being somewhat smaller. Physique also stand out his eyes of chocolate color or even occasionally yellow.

In addition to the largest, the harpy eagle is also the most powerful raptor. If you like birds of prey or raptors, here we give you a long list of names and photos of them, including the harpy eagle.

It feeds on animals such as armadillos, sloths, peccaries, and birds. Unfortunately, this particular bird is in the state almost highly threatened according to the IUCN. However, thanks to its appointment as a national bird, Panama has different institutions that ensure its safety and reduce its main threat, the destruction of its habitat.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

The White-tailed deer It is considered one of the most beautiful animals of the Panamanian fauna. It inhabits dry forests, secondary forests, savannas and gallery forests. Although the threatening situation of this medium-sized deer remains stabilized, it is very important to carry out protective measures to avoid the modification or destruction of its habitat and the hunting of the species.

With herbivorous and ruminant feeding habits, this mammal feeds mainly on leaves, fruits, seeds, shoots and mushrooms. In addition, it develops its activity both during the day and at night and they are usually found in small groups or alone.

In addition to the peculiarity of its white tail that can be seen normally upright when it runs, this deer also has the special characteristic of changing the color of its hair depending on the season. For example, in winter, its coat is brown, while in summer it shows off rather reddish tones.

Other animal species in danger of extinction in Panama

Next, we leave you a List of more endangered animals in Panama or in a state of vulnerability.

• Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
• Central American tapir (Tapirus bairdii)
• Tigrillo or tiger leopard (Leopardus tigrinus)
• Anteater (Vermilingua)
• White-bearded peccary (Tayassu pecari)
• Sea cow (Trichechus manatus)
• River wolf or neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis)
• Manigordo or ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
• Titi monkey (Saimiri oerstedii)
• Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). You can see it in the image below.
• Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• Olive ridley or olive ridley tortoise (Lepidochelys olivacea)
• Leatherback turtleDermochelys coriacea)
• Loggerhead or loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
• Mallard or Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
• Wild dog or hunting dog (Speothos venaticus)

How to help endangered animals in Panama

The problem of species extinction is closely related to the human action. Environmental pollution, species trafficking, destruction or modification of ecosystems, mascotism of exotic species, poaching, introduction of invasive alien species, etc.

Since the problem comes from us, it should also be relatively easy to find a solution to these problems that cause so much damage not only to the fauna of Panama, but to the planet in general. For that reason, below, we give you some tips to help endangered animals in Panama and also to the rest of the world.

Remember that although this global problem requires large-scale measures to help species, each individual action taken by citizens is extremely helpful.

• Avoid increasing pollution. Opt for ecological alternatives, such as replacing plastic bags with cloth bags, using public transport, etc.
• Respect the protected areas and nature reserves from Panama. Here we tell you the importance of nature reserves and protected areas.
• Do not be part of the exotic species mascotism, especially if they do not have regulatory CITES documents. These animals cannot be pets!
• Report illegal hunting cases that you are aware of.
• Avoid consuming products whose origin comes from illegal trafficking of species in danger of extinction, such as trophies, decorative objects, derivative products, etc.
• Do not participate or avoid the introduction of invasive alien species or with the potential to become invasive in this area.
• Get more involved in the protection of these animals in Panama by collaborating as volunteer in associations that protect endangered species.
• Share these tips with your friends and acquaintances to help raise awareness in society and that together we achieve results not only in Panama, but in all countries of the world.

We recommend you learn more about Why it is important to protect endangered animals and how to help them in this other post. In addition, here below you can see a video about these animals in danger of extinction in Panama, with more data and images of these.

If you want to read more articles similar to 22 animals in danger of extinction in PanamaWe recommend that you enter our category of Endangered Animals.