LONG-TAILED CHINCHILLA LATIN NAME STATUS chinchilla lanigera Critically Endangered
RESIDENCY IN ZSL Nightlife
WHY THEM? These Chinchillas do look incredibly adorable complete with their fluffy tails, cute expression and soft pelts of fur. They are a natural part of the Chilean landscape, perfectly suited to surviving harsh conditions. It is necessary for us to take the step back and not remove something from its natural environment just because it looks cute or safe to keep. They always look right at home in their natural habitat.
WHY ARE THEY DISAPPEARING? The main threat to this species is down to the pet trade. The first thought is usually ‘cute’ or ‘adorable’ and we instantly want one. However, the means of getting them means that these creatures are captured and removed from their rightful place and put in a cage. The other contributories to their reduced number can be put down to the fur trade because of their soft pelts and to habitat degradation. They are in significant danger of becoming a purely domesticated species.
HOW DO THEY BENEFIT US? Chinchillas are part of a food chain and breaking that food chain would have repercussions in the species that local human populations need in order to make a living. Because there are so few left in the wild, genetic diversity is suffering which in turns means that for those wanting to look after domesticated Chinchillas may not have any opportunity to do so.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THEM? Both the Long-Tailed and the Short-Tailed species are currently protected by law but more needs to be done to protect its habitat as well. Locals should be encouraged through sponsorship programmes to help protect, maintain and reintroduce both plant species and Chinchillas in their local area. More also needs to be done in raising awareness for prospective Chinchilla owners, to make sure that they source their Chinchilla from a breeder and not one from the wild. A thorough ban on Chinchilla export and import to other countries also should be enforced as is done with species like the Gila Monster.
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