Latest news from Wildlife Conservation Society on Newswise en-us Copyright 2025 Newswise 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/say-it-with-a-hiss-name-a-roach-returns-to-the-bronx-zoo-this-valentine-s-day/?sc=rsin /articles/say-it-with-a-hiss-name-a-roach-returns-to-the-bronx-zoo-this-valentine-s-day/?sc=rsin Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:25:49 EST For the 14th year, the beloved tradition returns where donors can symbolically name a Bronx Zoo Madagascar hissing cockroach after a loved (or ex-loved) one Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/scientists-develop-first-portable-edna-test-which-is-able-to-detect-one-of-the-rarest-of-the-rare-wildlife-species-a-swinhoe-s-softshell-turtle-in-a-massive-body-of-water/?sc=rsin /articles/scientists-develop-first-portable-edna-test-which-is-able-to-detect-one-of-the-rarest-of-the-rare-wildlife-species-a-swinhoe-s-softshell-turtle-in-a-massive-body-of-water/?sc=rsin Wed, 15 Jan 2025 20:15:55 EST Scientists have developed and validated a, first-of-its-kind, portable environmental DNA (eDNA) test to help detect the world's rarest turtle, the Swinhoe's softshell turtle (Rafetus swinhoei), which is teetering on the brink of extinction. Two of these turtles are currently known to exist, one wild animal in Vietnam (sex unknown) and one captive male in China (over 100 years old). Additional Swinhoe's softshell turtles need to be found in order to breed these turtles successfully in captivity and rescue this species. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/database-paves-the-way-for-first-study-to-compare-wild-animal-hunting-patterns-in-african-tropical-forests/?sc=rsin /articles/database-paves-the-way-for-first-study-to-compare-wild-animal-hunting-patterns-in-african-tropical-forests/?sc=rsin Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:05:15 EST Advances in data availability and accessibility have resulted in a groundbreaking new study on wild animal hunting in African tropical forests. It suggests that the commercial trade in wild-sourced meat is increasing, and highlights the urgent need for countries to develop robust frameworks to ensure hunting and trade is sustainable in a growing commercialized sector. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/wcs-applauds-protections-announced-for-us-oceans-and-coastal-communities/?sc=rsin /articles/wcs-applauds-protections-announced-for-us-oceans-and-coastal-communities/?sc=rsin Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:15:03 EST The following statement was released by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) upon President Biden's announcement today protecting waters off New York and New Jersey, including the Hudson Canyon, located about 100 miles off the coast of New York, and the remaining portion of the Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area in Alaska. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/rising-temperatures-threaten-reefs-study-pinpoints-where-conservation-efforts-are-most-needed/?sc=rsin /articles/rising-temperatures-threaten-reefs-study-pinpoints-where-conservation-efforts-are-most-needed/?sc=rsin Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:22 EST New high-resolution models predict that some coral reefs in the Western Indian Ocean may be more resilient to climate change than previously thought AI modeling was able to pinpoint climate-resilient reefs that would benefit most from protection efforts Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/wcs-releases-its-10-favorite-wildlife-images-of-2024-highlighting-amazing-animal-stories/?sc=rsin /articles/wcs-releases-its-10-favorite-wildlife-images-of-2024-highlighting-amazing-animal-stories/?sc=rsin Fri, 20 Dec 2024 06:45:56 EST Photos feature stories from the programs across the globe and from the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and the New York Aquarium Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/endangered-bonobo-population-stable-in-congo/?sc=rsin /articles/endangered-bonobo-population-stable-in-congo/?sc=rsin Thu, 19 Dec 2024 20:05:45 EST New research, conducted over two decades by a team of 48 scientists, estimates that between 8,000 to 18,000 adult bonobos inhabit Salonga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/it-s-a-great-week-for-wildlife-conservation-in-washington-u-s-house-and-senate-pass-bipartisan-legislation-the-groundbreaking-u-s-foundation-for-international-conservation-act-and-the-wild-act/?sc=rsin /articles/it-s-a-great-week-for-wildlife-conservation-in-washington-u-s-house-and-senate-pass-bipartisan-legislation-the-groundbreaking-u-s-foundation-for-international-conservation-act-and-the-wild-act/?sc=rsin Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:30:04 EST The following statement was released today by the Wildlife Conservation Society upon the passage of the bipartisan U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act and the WILD Act. Both were part of the National Defense Authorization Act headed to the president for his signature. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/conservationists-have-successfully-restored-tiger-population-in-russia-where-absent-for-50-years/?sc=rsin /articles/conservationists-have-successfully-restored-tiger-population-in-russia-where-absent-for-50-years/?sc=rsin Wed, 11 Dec 2024 15:20:37 EST Conservationists have succeeded in restoring tiger populations in a region where they were virtually absent for more than 50 years in Russia. This restoration took place from 2012-2021 in the Pri-Amur region of Russia. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/a-puffling-joins-atlantic-puffin-colony-at-central-park-zoo/?sc=rsin /articles/a-puffling-joins-atlantic-puffin-colony-at-central-park-zoo/?sc=rsin Fri, 06 Dec 2024 04:00:18 EST An Atlantic puffin chick hatched this summer has now been fully integrated with the rest of the colony in the Central Park Zoo Polar Zone. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/mermaid-named-winner-of-2024-2025-amazon-web-services-imagine-grant-for-nonprofits/?sc=rsin /articles/mermaid-named-winner-of-2024-2025-amazon-web-services-imagine-grant-for-nonprofits/?sc=rsin Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:00:37 EST Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today announced it has been selected as a winner of the 2024 Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant, a public grant opportunity open to registered 501(c) nonprofit organizations in the United States who are using technology to solve the world's most pressing challenges. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/wcs-calls-for-urgent-action-from-us-and-mexico-to-stop-illegal-cattle-ranching-fueling-screwworm-resurgence/?sc=rsin /articles/wcs-calls-for-urgent-action-from-us-and-mexico-to-stop-illegal-cattle-ranching-fueling-screwworm-resurgence/?sc=rsin Tue, 26 Nov 2024 16:10:15 EST WCS calls for urgent action from US and Mexico to stop illegal cattle ranching fueling screwworm resurgence Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/islas-y-canales-verdes-del-r-o-uruguay-a-new-protected-area-that-will-benefit-people-and-wildlife/?sc=rsin /articles/islas-y-canales-verdes-del-r-o-uruguay-a-new-protected-area-that-will-benefit-people-and-wildlife/?sc=rsin Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:25:19 EST This achievement shows how collaborative efforts between governments, civil society, and local communities can turn ambitious conservation visions into reality. This park now stands as a public treasure for the people of Entre Rios, Argentina, and the world. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/wcs-welcomes-the-scientific-opinion-one-health-governance-in-the-european-union-by-the-group-of-chief-scientific-advisors/?sc=rsin /articles/wcs-welcomes-the-scientific-opinion-one-health-governance-in-the-european-union-by-the-group-of-chief-scientific-advisors/?sc=rsin Wed, 20 Nov 2024 11:30:38 EST WCS welcomes this scientific opinion by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA), which provides recommendations to support the successful implementation of European Union (EU) policies deriving from a One Health approach. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/rio-tinto-invests-16m-in-makira-natural-park-redd-project-in-madagascar/?sc=rsin /articles/rio-tinto-invests-16m-in-makira-natural-park-redd-project-in-madagascar/?sc=rsin Fri, 15 Nov 2024 07:15:26 EST Rio Tinto has committed $16 million to the Makira Natural Park REDD+[1] Project in northern Madagascar, through a new partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Everland. This commitment complements Rio Tinto's investment in nature-based solutions in the south-east of the country. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/african-elephants-face-severe-decline-over-past-half-century/?sc=rsin /articles/african-elephants-face-severe-decline-over-past-half-century/?sc=rsin Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:00:24 EST A groundbreaking study released today reveals the alarming state of African elephant populations over the last 50 years. Both forest and savanna elephant species have experienced widespread declines due to overexploitation and habitat loss, mirroring the global trend affecting large-bodied animals. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/idina-menzel-to-celebrate-the-debut-of-the-bronx-zoo-at-the-98th-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade-with-a-special-performance-from-her-new-broadway-musical-redwood/?sc=rsin /articles/idina-menzel-to-celebrate-the-debut-of-the-bronx-zoo-at-the-98th-macy-s-thanksgiving-day-parade-with-a-special-performance-from-her-new-broadway-musical-redwood/?sc=rsin Tue, 12 Nov 2024 08:40:41 EST Today, the Bronx Zoo announced that Idina Menzel, Tony Award-winner, actress, philanthropist and multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter, will perform in the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(r) on the zoo's new "Wondrous World of Wildlife" float. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/elephant-seal-colony-declines-one-year-after-avian-flu-outbreak/?sc=rsin /articles/elephant-seal-colony-declines-one-year-after-avian-flu-outbreak/?sc=rsin Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:15:58 EST The sounds of barking elephant seals are again in the air along the breeding grounds of Peninsula Valdes, Argentina--but it's quieter. Almost exactly a year after a massive outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza killed more than 17,000 elephant seals, including about 97% of their pups, scientists estimate that only about a third of the elephant seals normally expected here returned. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/un-biodiversity-conference-suspended-adopting-some-wins-but-with-much-more-to-be-done/?sc=rsin /articles/un-biodiversity-conference-suspended-adopting-some-wins-but-with-much-more-to-be-done/?sc=rsin Mon, 04 Nov 2024 06:50:21 EST More than 190 Countries at CBD COP16 adopted a Global Action Plan for Biodiversity and Health; took steps to align climate and biodiversity agendas; and ensured ecological integrity is included in their plans to protect nature. Wildlife Conservation Society /articles/wcs-brazil-and-the-ministry-of-environment-and-climate-change-launch-protocol-of-intent-for-biodiversity-conservation-at-cop16/?sc=rsin /articles/wcs-brazil-and-the-ministry-of-environment-and-climate-change-launch-protocol-of-intent-for-biodiversity-conservation-at-cop16/?sc=rsin Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:35:53 EST On October 31, the penultimate day of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), WCS Brazil and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) officially launched a Protocol of Intent to strengthen biodiversity conservation in Brazil. The document was signed by the National Secretary of Biodiversity, Forests, and Animal Rights, Rita Mesquita, and the Executive Director of WCS Brazil, Marcos Amend. This significant protocol reflects the parties' commitment to join forces in implementing effective conservation measures, establishing innovative environmental financing mechanisms, strengthening protected area management, and combating wildlife trafficking. COP16 is taking place from October 21 to November 1 in Cali, Colombia. Wildlife Conservation Society