Wondering what went right this week in the conservation world? We’ve got you covered with our Conservation Optimism Round-Up! We are collating stories of optimism from around the globe so that you never miss your dose of weekly motivation.
(Image Credit: Amila Tennakoon)
1. Interior Department Announces More Than $87 Million for Wetland Conservation Projects and National Wildlife Refuges in the USA
” Funding will help conserve or restore 315,823 acres of critical wetland habitat “
Another step closer to #30x30 @SecDebHaaland - Thank You!
— Question Mark (@markday331) May 11, 2024
Investing in #wetlands brings diverse value and benefits to nature, climate & people - so is exceptionally cost-effective#FreshwaterMatters#ConservationOptimism @HACforNP @Shoal_Org @MumbaMusondam https://t.co/JQORGqrIx6
2. ‘The Javan tiger still exists’: DNA find may herald an extinct species’ comeback
” 2019 sighting by five witnesses indicates that the long-extinct Javan tiger may still be alive, a new study suggests. A single strand of hair recovered from that encounter is a close genetic match to hair from a Javan tiger pelt from 1930 kept at a museum, the study shows. “
A 2019 sighting by five witnesses indicates that the long-extinct Javan tiger may still exist in the wild, a new study suggests. https://t.co/t5AhGqfOD6#conservationoptimism
— InternetOfElephants (@ioelephants) May 10, 2024
3. Giraffes are facing extinction – but one species is bucking the trend
” Across Africa, giraffe populations are declining. However, in Chad’s Zakouma National Park, which is now a sanctuary for wildlife, one giraffe subspecies has bounced back “
Thanks to #conservation efforts, the #Kordofan #Giraffe population in #Chad's #Zakouma #NationalPark are increasing and account for more than 60% of the remaining 2,500 individuals in the world! 🦒#Africa #conservationoptimism #LetNatureThrive https://t.co/jngEW30M9r
— Global Conservation Solutions (@_GCS_) May 9, 2024
4. Beavers are helping fight climate change, satellite data shows
” Sure enough, data from a NASA satellite shows denser patches of green vegetation where beavers have been reintroduced when compared to areas where their population is limited. For instance, a stream near Preston, Idaho, is now flowing 40 days longer into the year thanks to over 200 beaver dams that appeared after ranchers began beaver rewilding “
"Dams boost green vegetation — this reduces the risk of forest fires and mitigates the effects of droughts and floods that have become increasingly frequent and severe in recent years due to human-induced global warming."https://t.co/VidcsWzIM5#rewilding #conservationoptimism
— Citizen Zoo (@CitizenZoo) May 9, 2024
5. New Study Confirms FSC-Certified Forests Help Wildlife Thrive in the Congo Basin
” a new study reveals compelling evidence that forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council ®(FSC®) in Gabon and the Republic of Congo harbour a higher abundance of larger mammals and critically endangered species, such as gorillas and elephants, compared to non-FSC certified forests.”
Thanks to conservation efforts, a new study finds that #FSC-certified #forests harbor a higher abundance of large mammals including Western Lowland #Gorilla and #African Forest #Elephants! 🐘#Africa #Gabon #Congo #conservationoptimism #LetNatureThrive https://t.co/wc8IQMHNSi
— Global Conservation Solutions (@_GCS_) May 6, 2024
6. Sound of Whale Song Signals Antarctic Blue Whales May Be Making a Comeback
” From 2006 to 2021, they analyzed thousands of hours of audio, as well as videos, photos, and other observations. Over the course of the study, scientists could hear the whales singing with greater regularity, indicating that their numbers may be growing”
More blue whales singing in Antarctica - my news to me good news for May 6th #OceanOptimism #EarthOptimism https://t.co/tlmsslB2fN
— Dr. Nancy Knowlton (@SeaCitizens) May 6, 2024
7. Indigenous leaders want to protect whales by granting them legal personhood
” The indigenous leaders of New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga and the Cook Islands have signed a treaty granting whales legal personhood. It’s a step Māori conservationist Mere Takoko says will pressure governments to do more to help the large sea mammals.”
Indigenous Polynesian leaders have signed a treaty to grant whales legal personhood, inspiring visibility and laying the groundwork for government protection of sea-mammal relatives. Read or listen to the piece by NPR: https://t.co/GHCaMkRMSg. #WhaleConservation pic.twitter.com/DMoni8f1AS
— Bioneers (@bioneers) April 26, 2024
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