Six species under threat in Mexico

[AlphaCentauri]

(CNN) -- Home to up to 10 percent of all known species, Mexico is recognized as one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.

The twin threats of climate change and human encroachment on natural environments are, however, threatening the existence of the country's rich wildlife.

And there is a great deal to lose.

In the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre's list of megadiverse countries Mexico ranks 11th. The list represents a group of 17 countries that harbor the majority of the Earth's species and are therefore considered extremely biodiverse.

From its coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea to its tropical jungles in Chiapas and the Yucatan peninsula and its deserts and prairies in the north, Mexico boasts an incredibly rich variety of flora and fauna.

Some 574 out of 717 reptile species found in Mexico -- the most in any country -- can only be encountered within its borders. It is home to 502 types of mammals, 290 species of birds, 1,150 varieties of birds and 26,000 classifications of plants.

Pronatura, a non-profit organization that works to promote conservation and sustainable development in Mexico, has selected six species which it says symbolize the problems faced by the destruction of nature.

"These are only some of the species which have some degree of conservation," says Eduardo Cota Corona, Director of Conservation at Pronatura. "However, there is a countless number of species in Mexico which find themselves in danger of extinction."

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/03/17/mexico.nature3/

[Lorien]

1. The Golden eagle, Gray Whale, Mexican Prairie Dog, Monarch butterfly, and

the Vaquita:

[AlphaCentauri]

2. Nice Picture

The Golden Eagle the sacred bird of the Native Americans