A new study by WCS found that overhunting of fruit-eating mammals and birds can lead to a shift in forest composition, resulting in lower carbon storage. The loss of these species changes the ecosystem, making it more challenging for forests to sequester and store carbon.
A vaccination campaign in Cambodia has successfully protected endangered wild cattle from lumpy skin disease (LSD), a highly contagious viral disease. The campaign, launched in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, has vaccinated over 20,000 domestic cattle and water buffalo to prevent the spread of LSD to wild ruminants.
A new study emphasizes the importance of letting bats live undisturbed to prevent zoonotic diseases. Bats are natural reservoirs for a range of viruses that can infect humans, including COVID-19. By preserving their habitats and reducing human-bat interactions, we can lower the risk of another pandemic.
A global conservation basic income of $5.50 per day for protected areas residents in low- and middle-income countries could cost less than fossil fuel subsidies. This unconditional cash payment targets Indigenous Peoples and local communities to support land stewardship and biodiversity.
Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that accurately estimates coastal fish stocks, providing critical data for sustainable management. The tool has the potential to save millions of dollars in annual research costs and bridge the global data and sustainability divide.
A WCS-led study found that nest survival decreased significantly near high-use oil and gas infrastructure, impacting millions of migratory bird species. Factors associated with industrial development, including habitat degradation, noise, air pollution, and increased predator populations, contributed to the negative effects.
A new study in Viruses journal reveals significant viral diversity in bats and pig farms in Viet Nam, highlighting the risks of CoV spillover. The research calls for increased surveillance and One Health action to prevent pandemic emergence.
A WCS-coauthored study reveals global mountain forests are vanishing at an accelerating rate, with 78.1 million hectares lost worldwide between 2001-2018. Protected areas played a crucial role in retaining forest habitat and conserving wildlife, but other conservation strategies must be considered to safeguard mountain forests.
Researchers detected 230 online posts with possible jaguar parts for sale on 31 platforms, highlighting a growing threat to jaguar populations. The study also found that jaguar teeth were the most traded body part, with Mexico, China, Bolivia, and Brazil being major sellers.
The study confirmed the incredible fish richness of Madidi National Park, Bolivia, with 333 species recorded, doubling previous estimates. The most diverse orders and families were Characiformes and Siluriformes, accounting for 88.6% of total species richness.
A collaborative study reveals periodic disappearances and reappearances of white-lipped peccaries across nine countries, with population fluctuations possibly representing the first documented case of natural population cyclicity. The study highlights the species' ecological importance as a keystone species in Neotropical forests.
A new study reveals high-altitude contests between mountain goats and bighorn sheep for access to limited resources, such as minerals and water. Mountain goats emerged victorious in over 98% of contests, highlighting the importance of scarce resources in extreme environments.
The study highlights the unique characteristics of coastal lagoon ecosystems in the Arctic Beringia Region, including the importance of seasonal channels connecting to the Chukchi Sea. Climate change and human development affecting these channels could have disproportionate negative impacts on lagoon ecosystems.
A study published by the Wildlife Conservation Society reveals that both tigers and clouded leopards in Laos prefer to feed on serow, which may indicate adaptations for larger prey consumption. The findings highlight the need for increased protection and management of serow populations, including possible reintroductions.
A team of scientists used environmental DNA (eDNA) to document the breadth of high-alpine biodiversity on Mt. Everest, identifying organisms from 187 taxonomic orders. The study found surprising presence of domestic dogs and chickens, highlighting human impact on the landscape.
New research reveals that at least 64 million square kilometers of Earth's land area require conservation to protect terrestrial species and ecosystems. The study suggests that governments must scale up their conservation efforts to achieve more ambitious goals and policies beyond the current 30% target.
A WCS study tracked bottlenose dolphins' feeding behavior in the NYC-New Jersey Harbor Estuary, revealing seasonal patterns and relationships to environmental factors. The research aims to inform mitigation measures reducing human-wildlife conflict and conserving marine mammals.
A massive study on Amazon wildlife uses over 57,000 camera trap images to document species diversity and habitat loss. The images reveal a staggering array of wildlife, including jaguars, pumas, giant anteaters, and dozens of other species.
An international study published in Conservation Science and Practice gives fast-growing nations a simple, inexpensive guide to inform planning and decision-making. The study shows how easily accessible biodiversity data can support application of the mitigation hierarchy, a tool used to balance economic development goals with environm...
A new study provides insights on improving monitoring and evaluation of climate-informed conservation projects, highlighting the underutilization of best practices like tying monitoring plans to a theory of change. The research reveals that partnering with external institutions can enhance the comprehensiveness of monitoring efforts.
A team of scientists found that Olalla's titi monkey adapts to a fragmented forest by switching to alternative foods like seeds, lichens, and fungi. The monkeys also reduce movement during lean times, enabling them to inhabit the Llanos de Moxos landscape.
A new study finds that trade-confiscated pangolins in Viet Nam harbor SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses, shedding light on the risks of international wildlife trade. The research underscores the need for enhanced regulation and risk assessment measures to curb pandemic and epidemic prevention.
A team of scientists used eDNA analysis to detect whales and dolphins in New York waters, providing valuable information for conservation efforts. The technique, which analyzes DNA left behind by wildlife, complements existing methods like visual observations and acoustic monitoring.
Researchers found that lighted gillnets reduced total fisheries bycatch by 63% and specifically bycatch of sharks, skates, and rays by 95%. The technology also reduced the time it took fishers to retrieve and disentangle nets by 57%, making fishing more efficient.
Researchers found coronaviruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 in Shamel's horseshoe bats sampled in 2010. The discovery suggests a wider geographic distribution of the virus and its potential spillover from bat-borne viruses. Surveillance in Southeast Asia is crucial for pandemic preparedness.
A new study found that remote ocean wilderness areas sustain larger fish populations, tripling those of the best marine reserves and fisheries. This discovery highlights the importance of preserving these 'living time machines' to protect vital species.
A comprehensive survey conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society and partners estimates that 95,000 forest elephants live in Gabon, confirming it as the principal stronghold for this species. The study provides hope for the future of the critically endangered African forest elephant population.
A new study provides a comprehensive set of 16 criteria to assess the success of climate adaptation projects, which can be tailored to individual project goals and context. The criteria cover four categories, including use of information, project management, outputs, and advancing the field of adaptation.
A new study documents Nigeria's significant involvement in the transnational illegal trade of wild pangolins, with an estimated 800,000 to nearly a million animals trafficked between 2010 and 2021. The study suggests that anti-trafficking policies may be mismatched due to potential underestimation of scale.
A new study models changes in the world's 45 life zones from climate change, revealing potential for up to 62 million square kilometers of expansion. If left unchecked, emissions could accelerate rapidly, impacting biodiversity and human livelihoods.
A new study assesses Africa-wide great ape populations and finds that human activities, such as GDP, roads, and population density, are the strongest factors predicting abundance. Only 10.7% of predicted apes were found in areas with high levels of legal protection.
A new study reveals that the waters off New York and New Jersey provide an essential feeding ground for humpback, fin, and minke whales. The research highlights the importance of understanding whale behavior and habitat use in coastal regions to inform management decisions and mitigate human impacts.
A new study provides insight into where chimpanzees avoided climate instability during glacial and interglacial periods in Africa over the past 120,000 years. The findings help increase understanding of how climate change impacts biodiversity and how to mitigate predicted biodiversity loss.
Scientists have discovered a new marmoset species, Schneider's marmoset (Mico schneideri), in the Brazilian Amazon. The discovery sheds light on the high levels of land clearing and fires in the region, where conservation efforts are urgently needed to protect this threatened group of monkeys.
The study reveals that nearly 20 percent of intact tropical forests overlap with mining and oil concessions, posing a significant threat to these ecosystems. The total area of overlap is approximately 376,449 square miles, about the size of Egypt.
A new study documents how Indigenous Warli people in India worship Waghoba, a leopard/tiger deity, to gain protection from leopards. The researchers identified over 150 shrines dedicated to the deity and found that such relationships facilitate coexistence between humans and leopards in their shared landscape.
A new rapid assessment framework offers a simple tool to facilitate climate-informed conservation and nature-based solutions. The '5Ws' framework helps practitioners consider the what, when, where, why, and who of climate-informed action, enabling them to adapt investments in reforestation, fire management, and habitat protection.
A new study led by WCS has updated the global population estimate for Critically Endangered Grauer's gorillas to 6,800 individuals from a previous estimate of 3,800. The findings provide hope for the conservation of this subspecies in eastern DRC.
A new study predicts massive range declines of African great apes (85-94%) due to climate change, land-use changes, and human population growth. The authors warn that effective conservation strategies require careful planning for protected areas and connectivity between habitats.
A new study by WCS found that 53% of households in the area had eaten lemur meat over the past year, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to reduce hunting and consumption of these protected species. The study aims to assess the impact of ongoing conservation initiatives and promote alternative protein sources.
A long-term study from WCS found that no-take marine protected areas increased fish populations by 42% and achieved the benefits of stable and high production for fishers, while protecting threatened ecosystems. Simulation models were tested with empirical data, showing that no-take MPAs can compensate for lost fishing grounds and stocks.
A new study classifies different types of wildlife traffickers and sellers in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. The findings help conservation and law enforcement authorities prioritize efforts on professional criminals and identify patterns among repeat offenders.
A team of scientists compared different methodologies to count African forest elephants, including dung analysis and camera traps. The study found that a new DNA-based method was comparable in accuracy to traditional methods but less expensive on larger scales.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers discovered that female putty-nosed monkeys recruit males to defend them from predators using alarm calls. The results suggest that females' general alarm requires males to assess the threat and ensure group defense.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society addresses the impacts of COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold on Indo-Fijian small-scale fishers. The research highlights the need to prioritize vulnerable groups in economic recovery efforts, as they are disproportionately affected by the pandemic and natural disasters.
A new study finds that restaurants in urban areas of Central Africa are key drivers in keeping protected wildlife on the menu. The study reveals that procurement of wild meat by restaurants is more targeted than opportunistic, with monkeys identified as hot products.
A new special issue of PARKS journal reveals massive impacts of COVID-19 on global conservation, including job losses and environmental rollbacks. However, studies show that Indigenous Peoples and local communities with governance power over their lands were able to continue to steward resources and protected areas.
The Critically Endangered shorttail nurse shark has been found in Mozambique, expanding its range southward from Tanzania and westward from Madagascar. The species benefits from some degree of protection within large coastal marine protected areas but is under threat due to overexploitation by coastal fisheries.
A new study introduces a Resistance-Resilience-Transformation (RRT) classification to assess transformative actions in climate adaptation projects. The RRT classification shows a shift towards more transformative actions, such as species translocation, in recent years.
A study by WCS and partners pinpointed the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea as crucial countries for safeguarding biodiversity and intact forests. The analysis combines datasets to highlight regions with high conservation value, guiding national development plans towards sustainabl...