7 stories of optimism this week (12.05.25-19.05.25)

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. (Featured Image: Coral reefs near Sonsorol Island, Palau. Courtesy of Brian Zgliczynski/Scripps Institution of Oceanography.)

1. For this year’s Endangered Species Day: Three Stories of Recovery

“Every third Friday of May is Endangered Species Day. […] Despite challenges, conservationists from Africa to the Amazon are working on the ground to prevent further extinctions. For three threatened species, conservation efforts have brought them a step closer to recovering their numbers in recent years.”

Read the story below on Mongabay of the hopeful return of the Okapi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Cape Vultures in South Africa; and a curious little marsupial named the Brush-tailed Bettong in Australia.

2. New crab cage technology reducing whale entanglements in California

The crab fishermen of San Francisco who share their waters with migrating humpback whales use long lines of rope to draw up their crab cages. These have “maimed or killed” over 922 humpback whales since 2007 due to entanglements. However, new remote-controlled technology for crab cages, sponsored by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, is showing promising results by dramatically reducing injuries to the whales.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has also shortened the crab-fishing season by two months in order to further protect migrating humpback whales!

3. Greater Adjutant Stork downlisted by IUCN thanks to efforts by Indian Women

“In Northeastern India’s Assam, women have joined forces to save the resident greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius), known locally as the hargila, which was long considered a “dirty, smelly bird” that villagers would attack. The women, who call themselves the Hargila Army, incorporate the birds into their songs, prayers and weavings in order to help protect the species and spark appreciation for them.

“Since starting these efforts, the IUCN has reclassified the greater adjutant from endangered to near threatened, as the birds’ population numbers have risen.”

4. Greater Manchester community comes together to help migrating swifts

After rallying her neighbours through her street’s WhatsApp group, over 40 households living on two neighbouring streets in Swinton, Salford – Houghton Lane and Ashley Drive – have combined efforts to put up more than 80 specialist nest boxes on their own homes, helping to build a huge Swift neighbourhood. It will provide much-needed spaces for these amazing migrating birds to nest and breed!

5. Captive-bred endangered axolotls thriving after release

“In a study that provides hope for the long-term future of a creature that was pushed to the brink of extinction, scientists released 18 captive-bred axolotls in restored and artificial wetland close to Mexico City.

The researchers fitted the animals with radio trackers and found that they “survived and foraged successfully at both sites” – even gaining weight.

Lead researcher Dr Alejandra Ramos from the Autonomous University of Baja California said this was an “amazing result”.”

6. In the Netherlands, anyone can turn a slice of sidewalk into a garden

“Here in the Netherlands, citizens regularly tear up sealed surfaces and plant flowers in an effort to combat overheating and flooding. The government not only accepts this practice, which is known as tegelwippen — it actually provides support.”

“Tegel means tile in English. Wippen means rocking or picking up. In the last five years, Tegelwippen has developed into a mass movement across the country. The aim is to unseal as many surfaces as possible, whether in private gardens, schoolyards, driveways, public squares or sidewalks

Read more of the article to learn how Tegelwippen is combating problems of flooding, as well as bringing communities together, and bringing biodiversity back to the city!

7. Canadian government extends pause on Atlantic mackerel fishing to help populations recover

The Atlantic Mackerel population has been in the “critical zone” since 2011 – meaning the ‘stock’ or population of the fish is being seriously harmed, which may cause strong effects in the rest of the ecosystem. This is even more worrying when we remember that atlantic mackerel are needed as prey to many other species including sharks, other large fish, sea birds, and whales.

As a response, the government of Canada has put commercial mackerel fishing on pause since 2022 to help the stock recover. “In 2024, the government approved a rebuilding plan under the Fisheries Act” with a goal to recover the fish’s stocks by the early 2030s.