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. Western Sydney is getting a major new national park

“Over 30 locally extinct species will make a historic return to the area, including quolls, bettongs, the brush-tailed phascogale, and the green and golden bell frog.”

2. Cirl bunting sees 33% increase on Devon farmland

 ” The lowland farmland bird, a relation of the yellowhammer, is predominantly found in Devon in the UK and is currently classified as red conservation status. The trust said 60 breeding pairs had been recorded in part of the South Hams area, up from a steady number of 40 pairs in recent years. It was the highest count of the sparrow-sized bird in the area since records began in 2012, it said.”

3. Myanmar’s snowcapped north is a haven for large mammals, new study finds

A camera-trapping study has confirmed that the snowcapped Hkakaborazi landscape in northern Myanmar is a crucial haven for large mammals. The research team deployed 174 cameras in the forests and mountain slopes and interviewed local villagers, detecting 40 large mammal species overall. Species included evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered species, such as Chinese red pandas, dholes, Shortridge’s langurs and takins.

4. 50 Wetlands, 14000 Farmers & 1 Hero: How Sarus Cranes Were Revived From the Brink

“In the heart of Uttar Pradesh, Dr Samir Kumar Sinha toiled for eight long years to bring together 14000 farmers and revive the population of Sarus Cranes. And the result has been a resounding success”

5. Biden officials finalize a rule making it harder to kill birds, reversing Trump

“The move restores protections under the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which imposes penalties for unintentionally causing bird deaths through drilling, construction and other activities.”

6. Tiger conservation in Nepal – A roaring success

“Dedicated Conservation Efforts Have Resulted In Parsa National Park Becoming One Of The Most Important Tiger Recovery Sites In Nepal. There has also been over a 250% increase in tiger numbers!”

7. New Marine Protected Area the size of France announced after following seabirds to previously unknown biodiversity haven

“On the 1st of October, a Marine Protected Area approximately the same size of France has been designated in the North Atlantic. Thanks to a collaborative study led by BirdLife International, this major seabird hotspot used by up to five million birds has been discovered.[1] The name of the area is NACES – the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov Seamount – Marine Protected Area.”

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