WHY ARE CARNIVORES IMPORTANT?
Carnivores, such as lions, wolves and jaguars are important because they hunt and prevent populations of prey species, including herbivores such as deer and antelopes, from becoming too large. A well-balanced herbivore population then allows vegetation and in particular forests to regenerate.
HOW IT AFFECTS HUMANS?
A healthy forest that continuously regenerates results in well-maintained topsoil and helps to slow down the passage of water to reduce flooding, river setting and landslides further down the chain. Carnivores also provide many communities with ecotourism revenues locally. People love to come see them in the wild as they are so charismatic.
WHAT IF CARNIVORES DISAPPEARED?
Without large carnivores, herbivores would overgraze or eat too many young tree seedlings. So if those animals disappear, the whole savannah and forest disappear with them.