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. These giant crocodiles were nearly extinct — their comeback could be Cambodia’s ‘most successful conservation story’

” Cambodia’s Siamese crocodiles were on the brink of extinction. Now, they’re making an impressive comeback, thanks to expansive conservation efforts. ”

2. The birds are back! How rat-free Lehua Island is transforming into a seabird paradise once again

” On Lehua, teams are using tern decoys, mirror boxes and sound systems on two sites to welcome the ʻewaʻewa or Sooty Tern, the pākalakala or Gray-backed Tern, and the hinaokū or Blue-gray Noddy.  “

3. In Brazil, Forests Returned to Indigenous Hands See Recovery, Study Finds

” Our paper shows that each year after tenure was formalized, there was a 0.77 percent increase in forest cover, compared to untenured lands, on average — which can add up over decades,” Rayna Benzeev, who helmed the study while a PhD candidate at the University of Colorado ”

4. U.S. Forest Service Restores Critical Protections to Tongass National Forest

” The move restores federal protection — from industrial logging and damaging road building — to just over 9 million undeveloped acres in America’s largest national forest.”

5. Sharks, spatial data, and a conservation success story

” Researchers used temporal and spatial comparisons to reveal that extinction risks can be significantly reduced by having effective fisheries management and policies in place to ensure the survival of these vulnerable species.”

6. ‘We’ve had pups try to head to the pub’: grey seals make remarkable UK comeback

” Grey seal numbers are booming in the UK. After nearly disappearing a century ago, they are now so abundant that in the past few weeks pups have been rescued from outside kebab shops, fish and chip restaurants and farmers’ fields”

7. Indonesia opens its ‘ocean account’ for sustainable marine management

” The Indonesian government is designing a new scheme to measure over time the benefits provided by the country’s marine and coastal ecosystems for sustainable ocean management. The ocean accounting system will become the standard indicator for the government in policymaking and zoning when it comes to the country’s fisheries, conservation areas, and marine essential ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, mangrove forests and coral reefs. ”

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Taras Bains