MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Juan Fernandez archipelago in the danger list

The Worldwide Union for Nature (UICN) this week added Chile's Juan Fernández National Park to its “Red List,” declaring the park one of the 12 most threatened sites on the planet.

The park covers 96% of the Juan Fernández archipelago, located 650 km west of Valparaiso.

The UICN has members in 81 countries and over 10,000 specialists who evaluate nature conservation all over the world. The "Red List" is released every year and calls attention to the most at risk nature preserves on Earth.

According to the UICN, the Juan Fernández National Park is home to 15 native species of birds as well as eight other rare species. Two of the species are near extinct, six are in danger of becoming extinct, and three other species are "vulnerable."

The island also is home to rare flora. Of the 218 native species and 136 other rare species that exist on the island, eight species have disappeared, 25 species are near extinction, 81 species are in danger of extinction, and 62 other species have been identified as being vulnerable.

The native plant species are especially at risk because of the over 433 non-native species that have been introduced on the island. Besides, 75% of the island has suffered erosion as well.

The "Two-Haired" wolf is the most at-risk mammal on the island.

The archipelago most famous island is Robinson Crusoe Island, which owes its name to the story of the famous castaway, this park, as a result, possesses a mysterious history and an attraction for adventurous tourists. Its gastronomic tradition is rich. Lobsters are particularly important and are caught in large quantities each day from the legendary waters has recently experienced a rise in offshore fishing. The Santiago Times - News about Chile