Wondering what went right this week in the conservation world? We’ve got you covered with our Conservation Optimism Round-Up! Each week we are collating stories of optimism from around the globe so that you never miss your dose of Monday Motivation.
1. Gamestop Redditors donate their winnings to endangered gorilla fund
“The Dian Fossey Fund, established by the largest and longest running gorilla conservation charity, receives over £200,000 from regular people who profited from the recent Gamestop short squeeze.”
well this was a rather lovely bit of news to come out of this week 🦍
— Josh Luke Davis 🏳️🌈 (@JoshLukeDavis) March 18, 2021
Gamestop investors from Reddit have donated hundreds of thousands of pounds of their profits from the short squeeze to gorilla conservation 🦍🥰 #ConservationOptimismhttps://t.co/QuF2QVqwJE
2. Meet Bailey, the first wildlife detection dog in Indonesia
” Bailey has helped unravel major wildlife trafficking cases in Indonesia, home to hundreds of endemic species and considered to be one of the world’s hotspots for the trafficking of protected and endangered animals.”
Our kind of dog: Bailey has rescued 6,000+ animals, from baby orangutans & gibbons for the pet trade, to 100s of green sea turtles targeted for their shells & meat. What our rangers do in the forest, Bailey does in ports!#wildlife #hero #stopthetrade #conservationoptimism https://t.co/qNxtBIcOKM
— Wildlife Alliance (@WildlifeRescue) March 21, 2021
3. Beavers could return to Wales within weeks
“The animals would be housed at Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve, near Machynlleth, Powys, where they would be used to clear willow trees. It is hoped the semi-aquatic mammal could restore the three-hectare wetland habitat, boosting other species.”
4. The Making of a ‘European Yellowstone’
“A major conservation effort is underway in Romania. The goal is a new national park that will rival its American counterparts.”
#ConservationOptimism A 'new Yellowstone' in the making? A major conservation effort is underway in Romania. The restoration of the Southern Carpathian Mountains will create a national park to rival the American icon - rewilding of a primeaval landscape.🤘 https://t.co/TWqUMs81Ij
— Mel dawson (@Meldawson6) March 16, 2021
5. Critically Endangered Hornbill gets a protection boost in Thailand
“The hornbill will be added to the ‘Reserved Wild Animal’ list under Thailand’s primary wildlife law, the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act B.E 2562 (WARPA 2019). This is a list of rare or endangered wild animals offered the highest protection level and has the stiffest penalties for those convicted of hunting or selling them.”
Some #ConservationOptimism for the Critically Endangered helmeted hornbill, which is now under the highest level of protection in Thailand.
— Synchronicity Earth (@SynchEarth) March 18, 2021
A @TRAFFIC_WLTrade study found 546 hornbill parts/products for sale online in Thailand from 2014-2019.https://t.co/2mWTNKZyV4 pic.twitter.com/RtOa9OmXp5
6. Rarest subspecies of wolf in North America sees population almost double in five years
“The results of the latest annual survey show there are at least 186 Mexican grey wolves in the wild in New Mexico and Arizona, US wildlife managers said on Friday. That marks the fifth straight year that the endangered species has increased its numbers, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.”
7. On The new fastest highway in India, wildlife gets safe passage with bridges
“On India’s fastest highway — the under-construction Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway, which is designed for a top speed of 150 kmph — the focus is on co-existence, with five ‘wildlife bridges’ and a network of underpasses being built.”
The fastest highway in #India is under construction, but unlike many development projects, the focus is on #coexistence. Wildlife bridges and a network of underpasses are being built to facilitate animal movement. #ElephantOptimism #ConservationOptimism https://t.co/uhlaiGHikY
— Trunks & Leaves (@TrunksNLeaves) March 15, 2021
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