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. 2 new National Parks have been designated in the Indian state of Assam

“With Raimona Reserve Forest and Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary notified as national parks, Assam now has seven national parks, the state with the second highest number of national parks in India. “

2. Two new Javan rhino calves have been spotted in Indonesia

“Indonesia has announced sightings of two Javan rhino calves this year in Ujung Kulon National Park, the last place on Earth where the critically endangered species is found. The new additions bring the estimated population of the species to 73”

3. Gabon has become the first African country to receive payment for reducing carbon emissions by protecting its rainforest

” Nearly 90% of Gabon is covered by forest, which captures more carbon than the country emits. The UN-backed Central African Forest Initiative (Cafi) has handed over $17m (£12m) – the first tranche of a $150m deal struck in 2019.”

4. Orchid thought to be extinct in UK found on roof of London bank

“Serapias parviflora, also known as small-flowered tongue orchid, was found growing in the 11th-floor rooftop garden of the Japanese investment bank Nomura. The 15-plant colony in London is believed to be the only one in the UK.”

5. The rare beetle- Rosalia longicorn has been bred in captivity for the first time in Sweden

“Nordens Ark is working with Alpen Zoo in Austria, on a joint conservation project to save this beautiful but threatened beetle, which is also known as the Alpine longhorn beetle, and to reintroduce captive-bred individuals back into the wild in Austria.”

6. Scientists Discover ‘Chocolate Frog’ in New Guinea

“The frog—dubbed the “chocolate frog,” or Litoria mira, by researchers—was found in an unusual swampy area in Papua New Guinea. After extensive DNA analysis, they found that the new species is actually related to the Australian green tree frog (Litoria caerulea)”

7. A new and more sustainable era for Nepal’s forests

” Today, 34% of Nepal’s forests are managed by more than 22,000 community-forest user groups. This transformational shift helped reverse deforestation, stabilize steep mountain slopes, conserve biodiversity and secure essential income sources for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This program is one of Nepal’s greatest success stories, helping Nepal increase its total forest cover from 25 to 45 percent.”

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