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.

1. Pakistan declares Churna Island a Marine Protected Area

“Pakistan has designated Churna Island as a Marine Protected Area (MPA), marking a small but significant step toward ocean conservation. The move aims to safeguard the island’s rich coral reefs and marine biodiversity.”

2. Rare pygmy hippo born in Kansas zoo

“The yet-to-be-named male pygmy hippo calf, born June 26, is the fifth offspring of parents Pluto and Posie since their arrival at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in the city of Goddard from different zoos in 2014. Pygmy hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis) are the lesser known — and more threatened — cousins of the common hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius). While the latter is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, pygmy hippos, named because of their much smaller size, are categorized as endangered.”

3. China removes 300 dams, hydropower stations to protect Yangtze River habitat

“China has demolished 300 dams and shut down most of the small hydropower stations on a major tributary of the upper Yangtze River to safeguard fish populations as part of an effort to restore the ecology of Asia’s longest waterway.”

4. Dogs helping save South Africa’s endangered tortoises

“Dogs are five times more effective than humans in searching for tortoises. The help has become crucial in studying and protecting the geometric tortoise, found only in South Africa’s Western Cape province and on the verge of extinction. The species’ population was already as low as 1,500 individuals in the wild in the early 1990s.”

5. Zion National Park is now smog free

“Electric buses are part of the new electric shuttle system transforming the visitor experience at Zion. The park first launched its shuttle system in 2000 to address the 2.4 million annual visitors that have since grown to five million. To further reduce traffic and benefit visitors and wildlife, through reduced emissions and noise pollution, Zion transitioned to an all-electric fleet of 30 buses in 2024.”

6. Giant river otters are back in Argentina

“A family of four otters, including two pups born in captivity, have been set free in the Iberá wetlands in north-east Argentina, the first step in reintroducing the species to its original habitat. Endangered globally, the giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) has been absent in Argentina for over 40 years, after habitat loss and illegal hunting led to its decline.”

7. Rare long-eared bat discovered in the UK

“One of the UK’s rarest mammals – a grey long-eared bat – has been discovered at a nature reserve in Devon. The species, which had not been seen at Seaton Wetlands since 2013, was spotted at a guided bat walk event there earlier this month.”

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