The value of Colombia biodiversity: Scientist in favor of the species protection.

Colombia, renowned worldwide as one of the countries with a lot of biodiversity in the world, faces a troubling reality: its great natural wealth is at risk.  

Our privileged geographic location and climatic variation have given rise to an exuberant wildlife unique in the world. With more than “311 types of ecosystems and an estimation between 200.000 and 900.000 different species” (Noriega, 2024) Colombia hosts an unparalleled biodiversity. This natural richness can be seen in an immense variety of species, this turns our country into the leader in diversity of birds, fish, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and plants. Nevertheless, this richness is decreasing at an alarming rate, mainly due to the loss of natural habitats by human activities like agriculture and livestock.  

A paradise in danger  

Deforestation, agricultural expansion and livestock, illegal mining, contamination, and climate change, are some of the principal causes of the loss of the natural habitats in Colombia. Human activities have caused an average 18% decrease in the country's biodiversity, putting at risk thousands of unique species.  

According to the actual records from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, among the most endangered species can be found the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), the jaguar (Panthera onca), the pink dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), the lone eagle (Buteogallus solitarius) and lots of flora species such as the wax palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense) and the black oak (Trigonobalanus excelsa). These species, endemic to Colombia, are very vulnerable due to their restricted distribution and the fragmentation of their habitats.  

(8 de mayo de 2019 por Redacción Canal Trece Colombia)

From the depths of the Amazon to the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, wildlife struggles to survive in an increasingly hostile environment.

Imagine the "titi pigmeo" (Cebuella pygmaea), a primate that fits in the palm of a hand, fleeing from hunters seeking it for the illegal pet trade. Or the majestic spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), roaming the Andean forests in search of food, while its habitat is being reduced on a large scale. These are just a few examples of the thousands of species that are on the verge of extinction.

A recent study by the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development has set off alarm bells: more than 2.000 species of our rich fauna and flora are in the corner of extinction. Among them, we can find animals like Cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), sawfish (Pristis sp.), river turtle (Podocnemis lewyana), amazon manatees (Trichechus inunguis) and Caribbean (Trichechus manatus) the emblematic Wax palm(Ceroxylon quindiuense) our national tree, the frailejon cabrera(Espeletia cabrerensis) guardian of the moors, among others.  

What is causing this crisis? the list of endangered species is alarming, the unbridled deforestation gives way to agriculture and mining, the contamination of our rivers and lakes, uncontrolled urban growth, and the loss of the wetlands are suffocating the life of our ecosystems   

The Palma de Cera (Ceroxylon Quindiuense), a greed of nature that can live up to 200 years is a tragic example of this situation, cut down indiscriminately for its wax, the millennial tree is not only a symbol of Colombia but also a fundamental pillar of a lot of indigenous communities.  

For this reason, it’s time to act. The conservation of our ecosystems, the struggle against the illegal traffic of species, and the promotion of sustainable practices are urgent measures to stop this catastrophe. Losing one ecosystem is like losing a piece of our soul because it means losing a piece of our soul because it means the extinction of something unique and irreplaceable, with devastating consequences to global biodiversity.  

Colombia is a privileged country; it is a home of amazing varieties of species.  

Being global leaders in biodiversity is an honor, but is a big responsibility, each one of us, individual organizations, and communities, has a fundamental role in this struggle. Together we can ensure that future generations continue to marvel at the richness and beauty of Colombian nature.  

¿How can we help? Supporting conservation initiatives, reducing our consumption, denouncing species trafficking, and educating others about the importance of taking care of our environment. Our natural patrimony is a priceless treasure that we have to protect for the future generations.   

Anonymous heroes: protecting our natural heritage  

The conservation of Colombian biodiversity is a task that goes beyond people's understanding. The local communities, farmers, indigenous people, and the guardians of the forests who, day after day, protect our natural heritage.  

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Fernando Trujillo Omacha: A guardian of the Amazon  

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The environmental crisis has raised concern of numerous organizations around the world. Among them, one of the organizations that stands out is Omacha Foundation, a Colombian organization that has responded with determination. Dedicated to studying and protecting the rich biodiversity of Colombia, This ONG works tirelessly to conserve the country's aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.  

Behind this significant work is Fernando Trujillo Omacha, a marine biologist from Bogotá with an unwavering passion for the Amazon. Since he was young, Trujillo felt captivated by the exuberant jungle and the mysterious rivers that pass through it. After years of investigation and coexistence with the indigenous communities, becoming an expert in the ecology of aquatic ecosystems and a worldwide referent in the conservation of the Amazon.  

(Utadeo, Marzo 12, 2018)

This foundation is led by marine biologist Fernando Trujillo Omacha. Born in Bogota, 56 years ago, Trujillo was attracted to the exuberant Amazon rainforest at a very young age. At 19, started a passionate journey that would lead him to his life of studying and protecting the natural treasure.  

With a master's degree in Environmental Sciences and a doctorate in Zoology, Trujillo has gone thousands of kilometers by the mighty Amazonian rivers, studying pink dolphins, manatees, and other emblematic species. His work has been fundamental to creating protected areas, the implementation of sustainable management plans, and the sensitization of local communities to the importance of conserving these unique ecosystems.  

Trujillo has been renowned as the first Latino American to receive the prestigious Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year Award 2024. This acknowledgment is a well-deserved tribute for more than three decades dedicated to the protection of the dolphin and the Amazonian rivers.  

Since 1993, Trujillo has led the Omacha Foundation, an organization that works tirelessly to protect the Amazon from the several threats that it faces, such as illegal mining, deforestation, and climate change. His passion for these aquatic mammals has led him to participate in more than forty scientific expeditions in different regions of the world, from South America to the Antarctic.  

But why the pink dolphins? These emblematic animals, endemics from the Amazons,  are in critical danger of extinction. Trujillo and his equipment have documented how human activities such as illegal fishing and contamination are affecting their populations. For that reason in 2019, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) included in the red list of threatened species.  

Trujillo's work goes further in the investigation. Through the foundation Omacha, has boosted an initiative of a large scale of conservation, involving local communities, governments, and international organizations. The objective is to ensure the survival of pink dolphins and with that preserve the health of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.  

The Whitley Gold Award, the Rolex National Geographic prize, and now this recognition as Explorer of the Year, are just some of the many awards Trujillo has received throughout his career. However, for him, the biggest prize is to see the hard work give results such as more conscious communities, stronger conservation politics, and overall, a renewed hope for the future of pink dolphins and their habitats.  

Fernando Trujillo Omacha's history is an inspiring example of how science, passion, and commitment can make a significant difference in the struggle against the environmental crisis. His legacy transcends Colombia's borders and reminds us of the importance of protecting our planet for future generations.