BNT: Nearly 100 Species On The Verge Of Disappearing Forever

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Today isn’t just any other day, it’s Endangered Species Day, a time to pause and ask: what are we losing?

Nearly 100 species right here in The Bahamas are considered endangered. From tiny songbirds and sharks to coral, many are at risk because of human activity.

The Bahamas National Trust is spreading awareness, urging citizens to join the fight to protect these vulnerable creatures.

We spoke with Fallon Cartwright, Director of Science and Policy at the Bahamas National Trust, who says time is running out for some of our most iconic wildlife.

Fallon Cartwright – Director of Science and Policy, BNT
“Natural threats, but also many of them are compounded by human-induced threats, um, through introduction of invasive species, through the impacts of climate change and storms, um, associated, that’s a good example in The Bahamas, for example.
Um, habitat loss because of development, et cetera.”

One example: the Bahama Warbler, a tiny songbird found only in the pine forests of Abaco and Grand Bahama.

But after several disasters, the bird hasn’t been spotted in years.

Fallon Cartwright – Director of Science and Policy, BNT
“After Dorian, we don’t have official records of that songbird in Grand Bahama anymore because we know those pine forests were significantly damaged. And then recently we know we have impacts of fire on Grand Bahama and Abaco, which raised the question of, you know. How are those pine forests going to persist into the future?”

The Abaco National Park plays a crucial role in protecting vital pine forest habitat for endangered species, offering a safe space for feeding, reproduction, and shelter from development.

However, it’s not just birds being impacted—the smalltooth sawfish is now critically endangered.

Fallon Cartwright – Director of Science and Policy, BNT
“Is a shark ray-like species that occurs in The Bahamas only on the west side of Andros, also occurs in Florida. And that species, if you were to remove one or two individuals, even a female, you could end up with a population crash.”

So what can Bahamians do? More than you might think.

Fallon Cartwright – Director of Science and Policy, BNT
“Start with just making yourself aware. There are, um, policies in place that locals can support. So the example with the Nassau Grouper, to support the closed season, don’t eat Nassau Grouper from December 1st to February 28th every year. Support that.
Um, you can support organizations that are doing critical work like The Bahamas National Trust.”