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. (Image courtesy of Whipsnade Zoo)

1. California confirms two new wolf packs as population surges

“State wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of two new gray wolf packs in Northern California, and estimate there are now at least 70 of the endangered apex predators roaming the state — up from 44 documented last year.”

2. A 1,000 rescued lemurs and tortoises to head back home to Madagascar

“This has been one of the finest examples of cooperation between Thailand where the animals were confiscated, and Madagascar where the animals were smuggled from.”

3. Indigenous guardians come together in Colombia to protect the lowland tapir

“An Indigenous-led conservation project in Musuiuiai, Putumayo, Colombia, uses a biocultural approach to protect the vulnerable lowland tapir by combining traditional practices with modern techniques like camera traps and data collection. The community, guided by spiritual beliefs and the sacred status of the tapir, aims to create a biocultural corridor spanning 100,000 hectares to safeguard biodiversity and Indigenous traditions.”

4. Once-Extinct Cape Water Lily blooms once again in False Bay Nature Reserve

“‘A site has been selected in False Bay Nature Reserve: Rondevlei section, which is managed by the Biodiversity Management Branch. Residents of Cape Town will be able to view the Cape Water Lily as they re-establish in our free-access nature reserve. “

5. More than 1,000 rare animals reintroduced in Rhodope Rewilding Area over the past decade

“Data show that the restoration of red and fallow deer in the Eastern Rhodopes is the most large-scale reintroduction of deer in Bulgaria in the last 50 years, and it continues to grow.”

6. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs, once endangered, show signs of recovery in Yosemite National Park

“Scientists are celebrating the comeback of the amphibians (Rana sierrae) in Yosemite National Park. Though they’re still endangered, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs have made a “remarkably successful” recovery from the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus”

7. Scotland rewilding project sees Bumblebee population soar 116 times

“In 2021, when some of the fields managed by the project were still barley monoculture, only 35 bumblebees were counted. But by 2023, after just two years of nature restoration work in the same fields, the population increased to 4,056.”

Have a story to share for our weekly round-up? Use #ConservationOptimism on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!