This frog has a beef with cattle

What do cows have to do with frogs?

For the Rustic Monkey Tree Frog in Brazil, cows are trampling their only known habitat. These thirsty cows are encroaching on this Critically Endangered species' wetland home, pushing them to the brink of extinction. And they're not alone. In a recent study led by Re:wild, we found that agriculture is the most common threat to amphibians. Over 90% of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest biome has been destroyed or degraded. This vital ecosystem is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and is the only home for the Rustic Monkey Tree Frog.

The Brazilian Amazon is threatened by cows and other livestock – in the last 30 years, 95% of the deforestation (including all of the intentionally set fires) was for pasture and feed crops.

The production of animal-based foods is responsible for a majority of deforestation. Scientists warn that if this level of destruction continues, these ecosystems will no longer be able to sustain themselves, causing disastrous consequences globally.

Find out what scientists are doing to protect these frogs

A global issue

Animal agriculture isn’t just an issue in Brazil. In Australia, the leading cause of deforestation is animal agriculture. In the United States, it’s causing droughts. And in the United Kingdom, researchers found that farms produce more air pollution than cities do.

By harnessing the power of plants for our diets, we can protect ecosystems and species like the Rustic Monkey Tree Frog.

Re:wild Your Fridge

LOST SPECIES MONTH WEBINAR SERIES

FOR PHILANTHROPISTS AND INNOVATORS October 24

Discover new approaches to searching for lost species that yield broader conservation benefits. Support local NGOs and expedition teams leading searches, and make sure found species are never lost again.

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