Large, charismatic mammals of the rainforest, like elephants and rhinos, command attention in global conservation efforts, thanks to their impressive size and the emotional connections they inspire. But the latest science makes the case for their less charismatic neighbors, too. While smaller species comprise a far greater bulk of biodiversity, they receive far less investment.

They may not evoke awe and wonder, but uncharismatic species are just as important to their ecosystems as megafauna. They contribute to food webs, aerate soils, and spread seeds, pollen, and nutrients. To effectively protect biodiversity, we must understand and invest in the ecological value of all wildlife.

For almost four decades, Rainforest Trust projects have protected a vast spectrum of species. Here are a few “charismatically challenged” examples:

Reptiles

In Ghana, local traditions revere the Critically Endangered Slender-snouted Crocodile, but habitat loss and poaching have decimated up to 90% of its population. These apex predators keep fish populations in balance. Without expanded protection, this species of crocodile—one of the rarest species in the world—could be extinct within a generation.

With our local partner, we are helping to establish the 838-acre Techiman-Tanoso Crocodile Sanctuary. Managed by the local community, the sanctuary will protect 25 miles of habitat along the banks of the Tano River.

Rodents

The Critically Endangered Red-crested Tree Rat inhabits Colombia’s high-altitude forests, but mining has fragmented the ecosystem. Only a small, fragile population of this species remains. Sightings are so rare that scientists thought this rat was extinct for a century, before its rediscovery in 2011. Despite declining numbers, these rodents still play a crucial role in their habitat by distributing seeds and nutrients.

Our project in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta helped preserve 500,000 acres of habitat for the Red-crested Tree Rat and other vulnerable species by supporting Indigenous land rights and locally led conservation.

Insects

The “sky island” of Panama’s Cerro Chucantí mountaintop sustains biodiversity so rich that many species have yet to be formally documented. These include more than a dozen ant species, likely endemic and endangered.

Ants spread nutrients through the ecosystem and provide a critical food source for wildlife ranging from birds to Endangered Giant Anteaters. Our project helped protect this unique, isolated habitat by expanding the Cerro Chucantí Nature Reserve.

Fish

The dense rainforest of the Democratic Republic of Congo holds swamps, rivers, and bogs that support aquatic animals found nowhere else on Earth. Our project adjacent to Salonga National Park will preserve habitat for unprotected, vulnerable species like Teleogramma monogramma, a tiny freshwater cichlid. Cichlids comprise a broadly diverse family of fish, with estimates of 2,000 to 3,000 distinct species. They are remarkably adaptable and valuable subjects for evolutionary research.

Our work in the Congo Basin is helping create Community Forests that secure the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, so they can protect the forest, its rivers, and the species that they sustain.