Rio F1 racetrack plans add fuel to Brazil deforestation row

Most of city's last flatland area along with 180,000 trees would be destroyed if project goes aheadLocals say anteaters, caimans, capybaras, and a 4-metre jibóia snake have all been seen near Rio de Janeiro's Camboatá Forest recently. The 200-hectare (494-acre) forest is an island of wildlife in a city of 6.7 million people, home to 21 endangered species including black-backed tanager birds and the cloud-fish, a tiny orange creature whose eggs survive in dried-out water holes and hatch when the rains come again.But most of Rio's last flatland area of sub-tropical Atlantic Forest and its 180,000 trees will be demolished if plans go ahead to build a new Formula 1 racetrack over it. Continue reading...