Monkey That Purrs Like a Cat Is Among New Species Discovered in Amazon Rainforest

[n2doc]

At least 441 new species of animals and plants have been discovered over a four year period in the vast, underexplored rainforest of the Amazon, including a monkey that purrs like a cat.


Found between 2010 and 2013, the species include a flame-patterned lizard, a thumbnail-sized frog, a vegetarian piranha, a brightly coloured snake, and a beautiful pink orchid, according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Discovered by a group of scientists and compiled by WWF, the new species number 258 plants, 84 fish, 58 amphibians, 22 reptiles, 18 birds and one mammal. This total does not include countless discoveries of insects and other invertebrates.

"These species form a unique natural heritage that we need to conserve. This means protecting their home -- the amazing Amazon rainforest -- which is under threat from deforestation and dam development," said Claudio Maretti, Leader of Living Amazon Initiative, WWF.
more

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131025085909.htm

http://worldwildlife.org/press-releases/monkey-that-purrs-like-a-cat-is-among-new-species-discovered-in-amazon-rainforest

[Xipe Totec]

1. This thread can go wrong in so many ways simultaneously. nt

[Triana]

2. This is the Amazon Rainforest that we're destroying thousands of acres of daily. n/t

[Enthusiast]

3. There is no way the short term profit from

rainforest destruction can equal the long term value of the undisturbed habitat. We have no idea what hidden pharmacological properties exist in these unstudied plants. And even if there were no pharmacological value. All we have to do is look at the land that has already been slashed and burned. Sickening.

[Judi Lynn]

4. How could anyone NOT feel protective of the small version of the Amazon

still with us, for the moment?

Surely the greedy ones among us can't be allowed to finish their job and utterly destroy the entire world, paying poor people to work hard tearing it all apart.

It should be far beyond simple debate by now.

If only these remaining forest dwellers could be saved. As we know, human beings, trying to hard to save it have simply been murdered by hired assassins, working for wealthy ranchers and other businessmen.

Somehow it must ALL be stopped, somehow. We already ran out of time long ago.