Imagine having your home broken into, destroyed, and then being forced to leave. This is what is happening to some rainforest wildlife — and could soon happen to many more. Learn more.
RAINFORESTS worldwide, from the Amazon to Australia, are home to 50% of our planet's plant and animal species. Today, their home is threatened by deforestation, mining, and other human activities; leaving many animals with no choice but to leave.
This isn't a new phenomenon. Animals have been migrating since the dawn of time — but forced migrations, like the one happening in Zambia’s rainforest, have a large scale domino effect that impacts not only the animals, but their new habitats as well.
No place to call home
According to the 2022 Species Habitat Index report, habitat loss ranges from 33% to over 60%. And these species experienced a high percentage of RAINFOREST habitat loss:
- Honduran White Bat, Honduras, 53% loss
- Shining Honeycreeper, Central America, 35% loss
- White Fronted Brown Lemur, Madagascar, 40% loss
- Abah River Flying Frog, Borneo and Sumatra, 35% loss
When animals are forced to migrate due to habitat loss, both their new and old ecosystems are threatened. Animals in new ecosystems experience resource limitations and can be threatened by new predators. The solution? Improved conservation efforts.
The largest mammal migration in history — at risk
In Zambia, 10 million African straw-colored fruit bats travel thousands of kilometers every year (between October and the end of December) to Kasanka National Park to enjoy the abundant fruits, berries, and plants that thrive there. It is the farthest recorded migration of any African mammal — and one that is essential. The seeds consumed by the bats are distributed throughout the area, promoting the growth of new plants and wildlife. But mining, deforestation, and urbanization are threatening Kasanka National Park. Luckily, organizations, like Rainforest Trust, are actively working together to protect this vital national park to save this species.
Peaceful coexistence — how it can happen
Habitat protection efforts have led to the successful protection of 285,429 natural habitats, nearly 17% of all land — but this isn't enough. More land needs to be protected in order to prevent forced migration and permanent habitat loss. In essential habitats, like RAINFORESTS, deforestation caused by human activity needs to be addressed urgently in order to prevent disrupted and forced migration — or else risk devastating loss. Already, an estimated 28 million hectares of rainforests are lost each year.
An initiative launched by the United Nations in 2021, aims to protect 30% of all natural habitats worldwide by 2030. What's the ultimate goal of this initiative? To live in harmony with nature. 30% of global land legally protected land may seem like a lofty goal — but it ensures we can live peacefully alongside the wildlife that we share our home with.
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