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.

1. Rare birds returned to Dirk Hartog Island in WA after local extinction

” Conservationists have successfully translocated 85 western grasswrens to re-establish the population. ”

2. The RSPB Human Murmuration

” Choreographer Sadeck Waff has joined up with 80 students from Bird College to perform a “human murmuration”. The beauty birds create when moving as one serving as an inspirational metaphor for world leaders working together to produce a global plan to save nature at COP15, Montreal, Canada from 7-19th December. “

3. A subspecies of Whipbird has been rediscovered in Victoria, Australia – for the first time in 40 years!

” Known as the Mallee or White-bellied Whipbird, this subspecies of Western Whipbird hadn’t been detected in Victoria since 1974.”

4. Up to 32 frog species thought to be extinct may not be, new research shows

” With a combination of literature review and fieldwork, the team has shown that as many as 32 harlequin frog species, once thought to be possibly extinct, are still surviving in the wild. ”

5. New populations of rare beetle discovered on Dartmoor National Park, United Kingdom

” Invertebrate conservation charity Buglife is thrilled to announce that two new populations of one of Britian’s rarest beetles have been discovered in Devon.  The rare Blue Ground Beetle (Carabus intricatus) has been found at two new sites on Dartmoor – thanks to the efforts of Buglife staff, volunteers, and local naturalists. “

6. Wildlife crossings built with tribal knowledge drastically reduce collisions

Previously known as one of Montana’s most dangerous roads, Highway 93 was upgraded to include 42 wildlife crossings that were built based on Indigenous traditional knowledge and values. According to a 2015 study, animal collisions declined by 71%. Today, more than 22,000 animals use these wildlife crossings annually, camera traps show

7. Slow and steady: Sea turtles mount a long-term recovery

In many locations around the world, various sea turtle species are building more nests, which could result in more eggs and hatchlings. Experts believe that increased turtle nesting is mainly due to conservation efforts, better fishery management practices, and laws and regulations that forbid the hunting and trade of sea turtles and their eggs.

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