Endangered Species Day: Every species counts

Here at Agria Pet Insurance, we’re guided by a simple belief – every animal matters. Whether they’re curled up next to us on our sofa or clinging to survival in a threatened rainforest, every animal has value and a right to a safe, healthy world. This Endangered Species Day, we’re bringing our focus to the animals on the edge, and the choices we can make to protect them. 

As part of our commitment to going carbon negative, Agria supports high-integrity climate projects that do more than reduce carbon emissions. We look for projects that protect biodiversity, preserve ecosystems, and support the communities that care for them.

One of those projects is the Russas, in Acre, Brazil and we’re really proud to be helping it to make a real difference.

The Amazon rainforest is one of the most important and well-known ecosystems on Earth. It holds around 10% of the world’s known species, stores huge amounts of carbon, and stabilises our planets climate patterns. But in many areas, forests are under daily threat from logging, cattle grazing, and infrastructure development.

The Russas Project protects over 102,000 acres of tropical rainforest from these pressures. Through their efforts, it prevents the release of more than 120,000 tonnes of CO₂ every year! These are avoided emissions that would otherwise come from clearing and burning the precious rainforest.

But its impact goes far beyond carbon and climate protection - this region of the Amazon is home to some of the most threatened and ecologically important animals in the world, including:

• Scarlet macaws, whose populations are in decline due to habitat fragmentation and trapping for the pet trade. These birds rely on old-growth trees to breed, unfortunately its these trees that are often the largest and first to be cut down.

• Amazon river dolphins, which face rising water pollution, habitat disruption, and accidental deaths from fishing gear. They are considered a key indicator species for the health of aquatic ecosystems.

• Howler monkeys, who are essential to forest regeneration. As they travel and feed, they disperse seeds that support new tree growth, helping maintain the very forest they live in.

• Jaguars, tapirs, and sloths - all dependent on the canopy cover and a healthy habitat to survive and hunt safely.

By stopping the aggressive destruction of this area of the rainforest, the Russas Project helps secure a future for these species and the fragile environment they live in.

The project also benefits people living in the area by creating long-term, sustainable opportunities. It provides jobs in forest protection and teaches sustainable farming techniques. As part of their employee support, the project provides health services, housing, schooling, and training for women and young people

This focus on support for the people living in the area is crucial. Conservation only works when communities have the tools and resources to choose forest protection over short-term survival.

By supporting The Russas Project, we are helping to protect what matters most, our pets, wildlife, and the world we all depend on.

To find out more about our sustainability work, please visit our website here: https://www.agriapet.co.uk/sustainability/