On December 21, 2022, a documentary called Wildcat was released This documentary discusses the rehabilitation and reintegration of two ocelots, medium sized spotted wild cats, into the Amazon rainforests of Peru. The documentary depicts many events: the healing of a tortured war hero, and the experiences and developments of Samantha Zwicker, one of the founders of the conservation organization, Hoja Nueva. Hoja Nueva helps carnivorous animals be reintroduced to the Amazonian wild. However, the documentary more importantly shows the effects of humanity on these forests.
In Wildcat, the first ocelot, Khan, who was going to be reintroduced was killed by an illegal hunting technique in a protected area. Then, with the second ocelot, Keanu, volunteer Harry Turner encountered several problems not only with deforestation in privately owned areas, but also the effects of that deforestation on the ocelot’s and other Amazonian species habitats, endangering Keanu’s life. This then introduces many of the major problems that rainforests face today: deforestation, illegal hunting, and more. The effects of these actions are detrimental to the most complex and biodiverse habitats on Earth.
The rainforests of the Earth are extremely important both environmentally and to humanity. Rainforests are home to 40,000 plant species, almost 1,300 bird species, 3,000 types of fish, 427 species of mammals, and 2.5 million types of insects. Rainforests also increase the stabilization of the world’s climate, taking in carbon dioxide and maintaining the water cycle. There are three major rainforests in the world: the Amazon rainforest, the rainforests of the Congo, and the rainforests of Indonesia. Illegal logging and hunting have diminished these habitats drastically. The Amazon rainforest has been known as the ‘lungs of the world’, but according to a 2023 New York Times article, different results were shown. Caused by illegal burning and logging, the Amazon rainforest is now releasing more carbon dioxide from fires and decomposition of dead vegetation and animals that it is reducing. Indonesia also faces significant deforestation, with over 80% of its rainforests already cut down to provide spaces for palm oil trees. Along with extreme loss of vegetation, the effects of deforestation, and the destabilizing effects of those on both the atmosphere and water cycle, in the past 35 years, this habitat destruction has also led to the extinction of around 50,000 species in these areas. If the rainforests are destroyed, biodiversity and food sources will be diminished, there will be degradation of soil, pollution of water sources and lands, frequent flooding in those areas, warmer temperatures, and long droughts.
What can be done to minimize these effects? In the Amazon rainforest, about 80% of the deforested areas have been covered by pastures, the majority of which for cattle. Cows take much more space and resources than most other animals, and also produce methane through their bodily functions, and greenhouse gas detrimental to the environment. Therefore, cutting down the amount of beef eaten by oneself and their family can minimize the demand for beef and livestock areas. Though much more difficult, cutting down on the amount of palm oil bought in products can also minimize the demand for palm tree plantations that have overtaken the Indonesian rainforests. Finally, donating or giving aid to many of the foundations and volunteer programs that help with the rehabilitation of rainforest wildlife protection is always positive. Of those, Hoja Nueva, as seen in Wildcat, makes its mission “the protection and fortification of Amazonian biodiversity in Madre de Dios, Peru through conserving intact ecosystems, confronting threats to wildlife, implementing biological research, and conducting environmental education.” Though the future looks dim concerning the health of rainforests, individuals can still save these areas and protect the Earth’s ecosystems.