| Animals are considered endangered when they | | | | unknowable consequences for the entire |
| are at risk of extinction, either because | | | | planet. The Amazon has been called the lungs |
| there are only a small number of them left, | | | | of the planet, and its further destruction |
| due to threats from changes to their | | | | could accelerate global warming, with |
| environment, shifting of predator to prey | | | | devastating consequences for humans and most |
| ratios, and other factors. Nations over the | | | | of the species on Earth. |
| last 50 years have developed laws to protect | | | | |
| species form becoming extinct; however few | | | | Some endangered species of Peru are: |
| species actually get on these lists. Many | | | | |
| become extinct without the attention or | | | | The Andean Cat, (Oreailurus jacobita) |
| protection of humans, though it is true that | | | | considered among the five most endangered |
| in probably all cases over the last century, | | | | cats in the world, is considered critically |
| the machinations of humans have caused the | | | | endangered. It is found in the high regions |
| imbalances that have led to the disappearance | | | | of Peru, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, and is |
| of thousands of animal and plant species. | | | | one of the shyest and least known cats in |
| | | | existence. About the size of a housecat, |
| Especially within the last century and a | | | | Andean Cats feed on several classes of mice, |
| half, species have been becoming extinct at a | | | | small birds and rodents. Along with the |
| higher rate than at any time in history. In | | | | Pampas cat, (Oncifelis colocolo), it is known |
| the case of the Amazon Rainforest, which | | | | as "osqhollo" by the Quechua. Factors |
| covers parts of Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, | | | | contributing to its declining numbers may |
| Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil, the loss of | | | | include reduction of prey, harvesting of |
| habitat created by farmers who cut down trees | | | | plants that their prey is dependent on, and |
| and burn whole tracts of jungle for cattle | | | | hunting by humans. |
| grazing and crop production, may result in | | | | |