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 credit: Camilla Rhodes / Fauna & Flora)

1. Rwanda’s mountain gorillas: A conservation success Story

Rwanda’s mountain gorilla population is making a remarkable recovery after decades of facing threats from humans. Once endangered due to poaching, armed conflicts, and diseases, the primates are now flourishing thanks to dedicated conservation efforts.

2. Nine countries sign global pact to protect endangered river dolphins

“According to WWF, the declaration focuses on halting and reversing the decline of all river dolphin populations, creating a network of protected and well-managed river habitats and promoting research on these marine mammals. It also calls for collaborating with local communities and Indigenous people, as well as eradicating unsustainable fishing practices, among other issues.”

3. Attempt to re-introduce the Hawaiian crow in the wild gets green light in east Maui

“ The Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday approved plans by the DLNR, and US Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a pilot release of captive-bred ʻalalā onto forest reserve lands in east Maui. ”

4. Choughs flourishing inland as Cornish pastures recover

A protected bird known for sticking to the Cornish coastline has started to move inland in what wildlife experts say is a sign of its “flourishing” recovery.

5. Five success stories of 2023

Stories include the release of endagered terrapin hatchlings into the wild and women leading the way for conservation in the Congo Basin

6. How Connecticut, USA osprey went from a handful of nests to a record 881 fledglings: ‘Conservation success story’

” This year there were 881 osprey fledglings in state, up from 835 last year. The citizen-scientists found roughly 690 active nests statewide. Some of these nests were home to more than one fledgling. This is the largest number of successful, active nests recorded by the project since its inception in 2014. ”

7. Poland to halt logging in 10 of its most ancient forests

The government promised in its coalition agreement to protect 20% of the country’s forests. The new measures affect just 1.5% of state-managed woodlands but include biodiverse forests such as the Carpathian forest in the south-east, Knyszyn forest in the north-east and those surrounding the city of Wrocław in the south-west.

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