Uruguay is located in a South American geographic area that more than 10,000 years ago was part of a system of primitive savannas larger than the current African Serengeti and was the southern limit of an enormous jungle that covered the primitive Brazilian Atlantic coast: the Atlantic Forest. Many southern, Patagonian species chose these territories in their annual migrations to escape the cold winter of the south. These factors forged a varied indigenous fauna with habits that are very curious for current researchers. Unfortunately, with the passage of centuries and the impetus of human economic development, sometimes very voracious and with an ever greater desire for economic gain, all this living wealth is being put at real risk. Uruguay, in its 176,215 km2 of land, in its rivers, streams, lakes and oceanic waters, contains more than 130 species of mammals, 485 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles, 40 species of amphibians, 600 species of fish, 200 species of arachnids and thousands of insects. The only way to protect this wealth in the long term depends on our children. They are the ones who, by knowing more and more about our fauna, will be the ones who, once they reach adulthood, will generate the economic system that allows for harmonious and peaceful coexistence with our animal neighbors and that promotes human survival and development on new parameters of sustainability.
Author: Augusto Giussi
