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...continued from page 107<br />
A LEGEND IN PERIL<br />
Most of us are aware that the quetzal<br />
is an endangered species. But if the<br />
quetzal is just one of perhaps 30 million species<br />
on the planet, why would its disappearance<br />
be of any great importance? How could<br />
this negatively impact humanity and nature?<br />
If the quetzal, one of the most beautiful<br />
creatures on Earth, becomes extinct, it will<br />
be because we allowed humans to destroy<br />
them. Knowing that we are accountable,<br />
regardless of the fact that it is one species<br />
among many, will be the cause of lasting<br />
dishonor and sadness for the human family.<br />
The decline of the quetzal is not an isolated<br />
occurrence. It is just one example of what is<br />
happening in general to nearly all naturallife<br />
systems around the world. The quetzal is<br />
in decline because forests where they live are<br />
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Green areas are National Parks and Wildlife Reserves<br />
being destroyed. Already more than 80%<br />
of the original forests have been eliminated.<br />
There is small relief in the fact that there<br />
are more than 50 cloud forest reserves in<br />
Mesoamerica that protect the resplendent<br />
quetzal’s habitat.<br />
These range from small, private reserve projects<br />
such as the one established at Chelemha<br />
in Alta Verapaz in Guatemala, to the huge,<br />
magnificent El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in<br />
Chiapas, Mexico. Every country in Central<br />
America has its own cloud forest protected<br />
areas and they are all worthy of a visit.<br />
We hope to preserve enough cloud forest<br />
habitat in Central America to ensure that<br />
the quetzal may continue to be the living,<br />
legendary symbol of freedom.
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