The Kapok tree - a giant under threat in the Amazon rainforest
Holy giant – threatened giant The Kapok tree in Suriname
Introducing the Kapok tree
Rudi van Kanten, Tropenbos International
The conservationist
The oldest jungle in the world
It is almost the same size as Australia and acts as a giant sink for dangerous CO2 emissions.
My native Suriname
What is so special about my home? Tropical trees cover ninety percent of land here. That’s more than in any other nation in the world! And they are still largely intact. SO FAR.
Neighboring Brazil
But ever more trees are being felled to make space for pastures, plantations, gold and copper mines.
Tree by tree…
The Kapok tree in three parts
And I’ll tell you why. From my crown to my roots.
Rudi van Kanten, Tropenbos International
The conservationist
Part one – the crown
Lone wolf
Monique Pool, Green Heritage Fund
The animal rights activist
The hunter
The howler
Part two - underwood
Fauna and flora
Bird paradise
Such as the white-chinned jacamar.
Part three – the jungle floor
Creepy-crawlies
Forest dwellers
Harriette Vreedzam, Human rights activist
The human rights activist
Suriname at a crossroads
But there is another, even bigger threat...
Rudi van Kanten, Tropenbos International
The conservationist
And that’s seductive for a poor state like Suriname.
But it also puts my unique jungle at risk.
Monique Pool, Green Heritage Fund
The activist
Our politicians keep talking about our rainforest being unique.
But so far, they have only declared 13 percent protected.
What next?
And I, the HOLY giant could become a THREATENED giant.
Camera & sound:
Carlos Rincón Campo, Mauro Mancipe
Illustration & photos:
Nora-Charlotte Timm, Harvey Lisse
Video editing:
Klaudia Begic
Producers:
Global Ideas
Executive producer:
Manuela Kasper-Claridge