The words threatened, endangered, and extinct may not seem very different to us. But for wildlife specialists, the differences are very important. It’s how we understand the unique threats each species faces, and how we devise methods to protect them. It teaches us to better account for an animal’s needs. It’s essentially what enables groups like Paso Pacifico to lead conservation programs across Mesoamerica — and the rest of the world....
The Pacific Coast in the Mesoamerican region stretches from sunny California and Mexico to the heart of Central America. The region is not just rich in history and culture, but also abundant in tropical dry forests, mangroves, and grasslands. And, when the monsoon rains fall, the landscapes and canopy are transformed into a lush green carpet. And what about the animals of the Pacific Coast? Well, some move to wetter...
Do you know what’s the most fascinating thing about nature? Even its smallest creatures carry the biggest imaginable responsibilities. And, a fine example of that is the Central American Agouti. This seemingly insignificant creature that looks like an odd cross between a capybara and a squirrel helps in improving the green cover of its habitat. Never heard of them? Picture this — a smallish creature that looks like a cross...
Fondly nicknamed the prairie wolf, coyotes are a canine species endemic to the western parts of North America. They rose in ecological prominence during the Middle Pleistocene era. Known for their adaptability and ability to thrive in adverse conditions, modern coyotes have since expanded their territory. Today, these “song dogs” run wild in Central America and even Mexico. Because they have been cohabiting with their human counterpart for times immemorial,...
Back in the ’90s, scientists had already begun warning us: Big changes are coming. On cue, the world watched in horror over the next three decades as the mercury rose, farmlands began to dry out, and unnatural weather patterns prevailed. Today, climate change is a global phenomenon. No country is safe from at least one consequence. Along the Pacific Coast, for instance, rising sea levels and the rapid degradation of...
Life on Mesoamerica’s Pacific slope is influenced by all kinds of things — from its rich mix of plants and animals to its diverse landscapes and colorful cultures. But one of the biggest forces shaping daily life here is the annual monsoon season. These rains aren’t just a weather shift. They’re what keep everything going — helping water crops, refilling rivers and underground water, providing drinking water, and keeping forests...
World Oceans Day 2025 is coming up on June 8. This annual event brings to the fore issues concerning our oceans — the vast part of the earth that makes up 97% of the planet’s water and covers 71% of its surface. With this year’s theme, “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us,” the UN urges communities, governments, and other stakeholders to grasp the magnitude of the ocean’s wonders and how to...
"Beat Plastic Pollution" is the challenge this World Environment Day. World Environment Day 2025 aims to amplify its call for collective action to protect the planet on a global scale. It is slated to take place on June 5 in the Jeju Province of South Korea, two months before the world reconvenes to negotiate an international treaty that ends plastic pollution. The event will also focus on scientific research that...
At Paso Pacifico, we take the plight of endangered birds in America to heart. Together with our volunteers, partners, donors, and sponsors, we do everything we can to keep these species from going extinct through our programs and partnerships. The goal is to protect habitats where they can live and safely breed. Threatened by habitat disruption, these birds’ numbers have been dwindling over the last decades. The IUCN lists 31...
Depending on the geography, the forest dweller tayra (Eira barbara) goes by various names — tolomuco or perico in Central America, viejo de monte in the Yucatan Peninsula, motete in Honduras, and irara in Brazil. They’re about the size of a dog but look like something else entirely — a cross between a weasel and a wolverine — with dark fur, dark eyes, short legs, long claws, pronounced canines, long...
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