Recently, the Chinese oil company Sinopec has been approved to conduct seismic explorations in some of Ecuador’s most preserved rainforests and ecologically diverse regions. Sinopec’s presence has forced Tropic, an Ecuadorian eco-tourism company, to close the Huorani Ecolodge, an internationally recognized program that works with indigenous populations to conserve the environment and their ancient cultures. The program was originally created based on the idea that environmentally friendly initiatives were beneficial to the Huaoranii people—the main indigenous group that the Ecolodge supports—and the thousands (382 fish species, 596 bird species, 117 bat species, over 100,000 insect species, etc.) of species that inhabit this region of Ecuador and are found nowhere else in the world. Many endangered species also inhabit the regions where Sinopec plans to hunt for oil, including: the jaguar, giant otter, ocelot, long-haired spider monkey, giant armadillo, Ecuadorian Sac-winged bat, short-eared dog, mountain tapir, pacarana, and many more. Each of these species is critically important to its ecosystem and must be protected.
The region also encompasses the Yasuni National Park, which is the ancestral land of several other indigenous groups in Ecuador such as the Tagaeri who attempt to preserve their ancient culture and the diverse ecosystems that they call home. It is extremely important that these people, their way of life, and the thousands of species that inhabit the region are not harmed by the selfish endeavors of corporations searching for oil and other natural resources to suck out of Ecuador.
Though oil is important to Ecuador’s economy, nothing is worth destroying an invaluable environment that serves as home to such a rich array of animals, plants, and people. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve the planet that we call home. If foreign companies continue to be allowed to destroy precious environments such as those in Ecuador, there will be detrimental consequences for various indigenous populations, their 4-legged friends, and the thousands of other species that inhabit these regions.
Please help fix this environmental problem, click here to sign a petition to the President of Ecuador, the Minister of Tourism, the General Manager of Petroamazonas, and others, to resolve this crisis. To help preserve Ecuadorian rainforests, click here to donate to the World Land Trust. It is up to us to get the jaguar, giant otter, and so many more amazing animals off the endangered species list!
For a full list of Ecuador’s endangered species, visit here.
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