World Wildlife Day in 3 days
Infrastructure and Its Conflict With Wildlife
Writing about Costa Rica reminded me of the BBC documentary, Big Cats About the House. This program features wild cat conservation efforts by the wildlife expert Giles Clark and the UK-based charity called the Big Cat Sanctuary. They work with threatened species, including lions, leopards, tigers, cheetahs, lynxes, and pumas, also known as “big cats”. It is so precious to watch a black jaguar cub named Maya grow up and thrive with their support.
In the second episode, Clark goes to Costa Rica and witnesses the harsh reality of jaguars in the face of infrastructure development. In 2016, Central America’s largest dam was built on the Reventazón River. While the country maintains many of its green environments, the extensive construction has led to the destruction of natural habitats for wildlife and the ecosystem. Most of all, the dam blocks the way for wild species to migrate across the country, affecting genetic diversity in animals like jaguars.
This is a sensitive topic that raises important questions. For one, infrastructure development can bring numerous benefits for humans, such as job creation, flood prevention, and access to water and electricity. For another, it can have an adverse impact on wildlife and, consequently, our planet. The situation in Costa Rica is a reminder that we must carefully consider the ramifications of our actions and strive to find a balance between development and conservation.
