As so many of us wrestle with extreme weather and other challenges, here’s our weekly reminder that, in our conservation world, there is great work being done by wonderful people.

(Featured image credit: Scimitar-Horned Oryx (Oryx dammah) in Dghoumes National Park. Faouz Kilani, Wikimedia Commons)

1. First – a story of zoo conservation – Happy Scimitar Horned Oryx Day!

On August 16, zoos and aquariums (and many other people) celebrate not just a beautiful species of oryx, but a ground-breaking conservation success story; one of many instigated by the zoo community.

Once Extinct-in-the-Wild due to overhunting, overgrazing and desertification, the scimitar-horned oryx became re-established in the plains of Tunisia thanks to the incredible efforts of zoos and partnerships with NGOs and governing bodies.

“There are many world animal days – but this is the first one voted by the British and Irish zoo community!”

The Scimitar-Horned Oryx was nominated by Marwell Wildlife in the UK, and was selected in 2024 to bring a less recognised animal into the limelight.

2. The number of wild tigers in India has more than doubled since 1972.

🧐How come? 🌳India has added so many more tiger reserves. In 1973 they had nine and now they have 58. 😮The reserves now cover some 84,500 km² or an area the size of Austria. news.mongabay.com/2026/07/indi...

[image or embed]

— The Progress Network (@progressntwrk.bsky.social) 17 August 2026 at 15:30

3. Living proof damaged landscapes can recover’: exploring a vast restored forest in southern Sweden

Söderåsen national park is one of Europe’s largest protected broadleaf woods, offering wild swimming, spectacular hiking trails and an inspiring story of regeneration

‘Living proof damaged landscapes can recover’: exploring a vast restored forest in southern Sweden

[image or embed]

— Guardian Environment (@environment.theguardian.com) 13 August 2026 at 08:02

4. 100 species on the brink get a $200m conservation lifeline

From Madagascar’s golden-crowned sifaka to Mexico’s Charco Azul pupfish, 100 species facing extinction are getting a $200 million lifeline. The Phoenix Species Project will fund targeted conservation efforts across 30 countries to bring species back from the brink.

From Madagascar’s golden-crowned sifaka to Mexico’s Charco Azul pupfish, 100 species facing extinction are getting a $200 million lifeline. The Phoenix Species Project will fund targeted conservation efforts across 30 countries to bring species back from the brink. Learn more! 👇️

[image or embed]

— Mongabay (@mongabay.com) 15 August 2026 at 16:40

5. How rescued orangutans are rebuilding a new wild population in Sumatra

15 years ago, there were no orangutans in Jantho Nature Reserve. Today, it’s home to a growing wild population. Nearly 200 rescued and relocated orangutans have been brought to Jantho, and at least 10 babies born here.

But how do you build a wild orangutan population?

15 years ago, there were no orangutans in Jantho Nature Reserve. Today, it’s home to a growing wild population. Nearly 200 rescued and relocated orangutans have been brought to Jantho, and at least 10 babies born here. But how do you build a wild orangutan population? mongabay.cc/e37GO2

[image or embed]

— Mongabay (@mongabay.com) 13 August 2026 at 17:14

6. The return of the caspian tiger: how a species feared extinct has come back to Kazakhstan

The wild capture and release of a female big cat into a nature reserve is the first step towards reintroducing a population that hasn’t been seen for 70 years

The return of the caspian tiger: how a species feared extinct has come back to Kazakhstan

[image or embed]

— Guardian Environment (@environment.theguardian.com) 11 August 2026 at 12:05

7. And finally, some thoughts for the future from indigenous leaders… ‘This is what’s working”

To mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Mongabay interviewed nine Indigenous leaders from around the world about climate solutions.

Their message is clear: bottom-up strategies rooted in local realities work, while top-down models often fail

To mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Mongabay interviewed nine Indigenous leaders from around the world about climate solutions. Their message is clear: bottom-up strategies rooted in local realities work, while top-down models often fail. By @latoyaabulu.bsky.social.

[image or embed]

— Mongabay (@mongabay.com) 11 August 2026 at 21:18

Have a story to share for our weekly round-up? Use #ConservationOptimism on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Wildlife Conservationist at Conservation Optimism
I have been fascinated by wildlife and the natural world since I was a young child, and a conservationist since I worked out what the word ‘endangered’ means. I spent many years working on long-term projects in Africa and Asia Later, I monitored and evaluated conservation projects across the European Union. In more recent years I’ve worked on climate change at WWF, tigers and elephants at the Zoological Society of London, coral reefs and cetaceans in various places, and most recently before joining Conservation Optimism in 2024 I was Managing Director at Save the Rhino International. I have over 30 years of experience in conservation and sustainable development, which is a nice way of saying I'm getting old. But I still wonder at our beautiful world every day, and I love helping to support and guide the next generation of brilliant conservationists.