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. Podcast: She’s here! Rare Sumatran rhino calf born at rhino sanctuary

” Indonesia’s environment ministry in March reported the birth of a Sumatran rhino calf. This calf is the first one born in captivity in nearly six years, stoking optimism for the captive-breeding program in Sumatra’s Way Kambas National Park. “

2. Conservation win for Bangladesh as efforts to halt vulture decline pay off

” Concerted conservation actions since 2010 have helped halt the decline in vulture populations in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has also declared several “vulture safe zones” across the country, where officials work with local communities to raise awareness about the importance of vultures to the environment and to protect breeding sites and habitats.”

3. A brighter future for the critically endangered Sociable Lapwing: Important stop-over site receives further protection

” The Talimarzhan reservoir in Uzbekistan is a vital area for over 26% of the global population of the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) during its autumn migration, our Uzbek Partner UzSPB has discovered. For years, UzSPB has been fighting hard to strengthen the protection of this bird species as well as the Talimarzhan reservoir, an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in the Southeast of the country. In 2021, the victory: a brand-new protected area will make the Sociable Lapwings life a little easier. ”

4. Biologists buoyed by discovery of 4-metre endangered stingray in Cambodia

“A team of marine biologists have welcomed the discovery of a huge endangered freshwater stingray during a recent expedition to a remote stretch of the Mekong River in Cambodia, though they warned the biodiversity of the area was under threat.”

5. Endangered Hawaiian monk seal population highest in decades

” The population of endangered Hawaiian monk seals has surpassed a level not seen in more than two decades, according to federal officials. Officials estimated the population has grown by more than 100 from 2019 to 2021, bringing the total from 1,435 to 1,570 seals. “

6. Improving seabird bycatch mitigation on the High Seas

“In 2020, the TWBF and the RSPB, in collaboration with the Taiwan Fisheries Agency, began work to improve the effectiveness of Taiwan’s BSLs by trialling the currently used configuration alongside a new design. Training was provided for observers to ensure consistency in data reporting, before two Taiwanese fishing vessels embarked on a fishing trip to the Indian Ocean.“

7. Community-led coral restoration project is rare hit amid slew of misses in Indonesia

” A recent review published in Marine Policy documented 533 new coral reef restoration projects in Indonesia over the past three decades, signaling a large rise in coral reef restoration projects. Although Indonesia’s legal policy framework encourages wide participation in restoration activities, scientists say many of these projects have failed because they lack important monitoring or long-term evaluation. In Lombok, a successful community-led reef restoration project has proved to be an outlier, demonstrating the importance of community involvement and post-monitoring care for the corals. “

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