Antillean snake, Guadeloupe serotine, sperm whale… About 15% of animal species in Guadeloupe are threatened with extinction, according to the new red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) relating to this particularly rich territory. in biodiversity.
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Of the 574 species of terrestrial, marine or freshwater animals reviewed, 85 are threatened, 48 are near-threatened and 16 have already disappeared, according to a press release published Thursday, which specifies that it could not assess only a quarter of known species due to lack of data on the rest.
But for all species, as everywhere on the planet threatened by the “sixth mass extinction”, the dangers are known, from the loss of habitats linked to human activities to competition from invasive alien species.
In Guadeloupe, “the destruction and fragmentation of habitats represent the main threats and affect all groups of species”, specify in the press release the IUCN, the National Museum of Natural History and the French Office for Biodiversity. .
For example, due to the pressure on forests caused by urbanization and land clearance for agriculture, the West Indian snake, also called couresse, is classified as “critically endangered”, as is the Serotine bat of Guadeloupe. and a very rare snail, the Guadeloupe glandine.
The modification of waterways and pesticide pollution, in particular by chlordecone, which continues to affect freshwater fish and crustaceans are also pointed out despite its ban since 1993.
The Guadeloupe species assessment also highlights the threats caused by hunting and poaching on certain species such as the routoutou duck, a bird classified as “endangered”, or sea turtles.
As on many islands, the invasion of species from elsewhere is problematic. The West Indian snake and the imp petrel bird, both classified as “critically endangered”, are thus victims of predators such as roof rats, house cats and small Indian mongooses.
At sea, the sperm whale is classified as endangered, notably a victim, like sea turtles – for example the hawksbill turtle, almost threatened – of fishing nets or collisions with ships. While on the coast, tourist and recreational activities are disturbing birds such as brown pelicans and lesser terns classified as “vulnerable”, according to the press release.
“Faced with these challenges, species protection measures have been put in place”, such as protected areas, but it is despite everything “essential to strengthen these actions to stem the pressures, improve the preservation of natural habitats and restore species. the most threatened to avoid their disappearance”, plead the three organizations.