Conservation News
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Conservation News about Biodiversity
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For these women, sustainable business is buzzing
Around the world, women beekeepers are helping to protect bees by sharing their knowledge and traditions. This International Women’s Day, we highlight the work of three beekeepers who live in very different geographies, but are united in their passion for the pollinators.
March 8, 2024
Deep-sea expedition reveals over 100 new species in the Pacific
A recent deep-sea expedition off the coasts of Chile and Peru is revealing the secrets of a vast underwater mountain system — and could help make the case for future ocean protections there.
March 4, 2024
Study: To restore grasslands, it’s time to get wild
It’s easy to understand why ambitious reforestation campaigns capture public attention. Earth’s forests are absolutely vital to staving off a climate crisis and protecting nature. But what about grasslands?
February 23, 2024
In Bolivia, a 'conservation mosaic’ gets another (big) piece
In the remote lowland forests of northwestern Bolivia, a small community has taken a big step to protect one of the Amazon’s most biodiverse regions.
February 5, 2024
Study: As climate crisis escalates, so too could human-elephant clashes
When humans and elephants come into contact, the results can be deadly — and if climate change and habitat loss continue, a new study finds, things could get even worse.
February 2, 2024
2023 in review: Partnerships and communities drive nature conservation
Conservation News is reflecting on some of our most noteworthy stories about how nature and human well-being are intertwined — and what it takes to protect them.
December 19, 2023
To save the axolotl, Mexico looks to the past
A Mexico City lake and its canals are the only place on Earth where the axolotl lives. But over the years, it has been drained, polluted and crowded with predatory invasive species — severely endangering the salamander. A new effort aims to change that.
December 6, 2023
In new TED talk, doctor prescribes conservation
While it may seem unusual for a medical doctor to work for a conservation nonprofit, it's centered on a powerful premise: that human health and the protection of nature are inextricably linked.
December 5, 2023
With new discovery, island nation turns page on a painful legacy
Scientists recently discovered a new species of gecko. As remarkable as that discovery was, it signified something more: a fresh approach to conservation in a nation historically marked by foreign intrusion and exploitation.
December 4, 2023
‘Tis the season for gifts you can feel good about giving
Finding the perfect gift is hard. But don't stress — we’ve got your back. Conservation International’s 2023 gift guide is full of meaningful and unique items that give back to nature.
November 28, 2023
Can tree farms save a forest? Brazil is about to find out
In Brazil's s Mato Grosso do Sul, native species are reclaiming thousands of acres once heavily grazed by cattle. A bold initiative aims to protect and restore nature to an area twice the size of Manhattan — and find new ways to pay for it.
November 20, 2023
In an undisturbed cave, expedition finds ‘microbats’ once thought lost
Pacific sheath-tailed bats are vanishing across Oceania. But recently, an expedition on one of Fiji’s least visited islands made a remarkable discovery: A cave containing thousands of Pacific sheath-tailed bats.
October 30, 2023
How one South American country became a lab for conservation
In 1987, Conservation International had a radical idea to reduce Bolivia's debt in exchange for nature conservation. Since then, the country has become a laboratory for the protection of nature, field-testing ideas that would spread around the world.
October 26, 2023
U.S., Peru trade debt for nature
The government of Peru signed a deal to redirect more than US$ 20 million it owes to the United States into the conservation of some of the most biodiverse areas on Earth.
September 7, 2023
More than monuments: Study shows World Heritage sites are biodiversity havens
For more than 50 years, UNESCO has protected cultural and natural wonders as World Heritage sites due to their “outstanding universal value.” Turns out, there's another big reason these marvels are irreplaceable: their biodiversity.
August 31, 2023
Ecuadorean voters reject oil drilling in Amazon
Following a decade-long fight led by Indigenous activists and environment leaders, Ecuadorians voted decisively to end oil drilling in one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth — a move heralded by supporters as “historic.”
August 23, 2023
It had to be a snake: New species gets famous name
A new species of snake has been named after Harrison Ford in honor of his decades-long environmental advocacy. Unlike the actor's famously ophidiophobic character Indiana Jones, Ford reportedly likes snakes — and found a quick kinship with this one.
August 15, 2023
Countries agreed to protect 30% of the planet. Now what?
More than six months ago, nearly every country signed on to the most ambitious plan ever to protect nature — a sweeping framework that aims to conserve 30 percent of the planet's land and waters by 2030. It’s an unprecedented agreement. So, what’s next?
July 26, 2023
How an extraordinary new effort is giving sharks ‘a fighting chance’
Earlier this year, three zebra shark pups became the first endangered sharks ever to be bred in captivity for the purpose of being released into the wild. They're part of a bold plan to bring sharks back from the brink of extinction.
July 24, 2023
News spotlight: Europe passes bill to fix nature and climate
The European Parliament agreed on legally binding targets to protect and restore nature in the European Union — a significant step but short of the “30 by 30” goal that most conservationists and scientists have called for to stem the tide of species extinctions and climate change.
July 13, 2023
Fungi: Our new climate allies?
Underneath the ground, intricate fungal networks are working together with plants to absorb huge amounts of carbon — equivalent to more than a third of the world's annual fossil fuel emissions, according to a new study.
June 13, 2023
Study: Camera traps key to closing biodiversity data gaps
As countries ramp up efforts to stem a wave of species extinctions amid a global biodiversity crisis, overcoming data gaps is critical to effective conservation.
June 7, 2023
News spotlight: How Indigenous communities brought a sacred caiman back from the brink
For years, two communities in southeast Colombia have worked to protect the black caiman — the largest predator in the Amazon River basin, which was hunted to near extinction in the area for its highly-prized skin.
May 26, 2023
After Australia’s bushfires, AI cameras capture wildlife recovery
Three years after Australia’s most devastating fire season ever, new images from motion-activated cameras placed across the country’s scorched forests are giving researchers an unequaled view into wildlife recovery.
May 11, 2023
Indonesia protects ‘walking sharks.’ Are other sharks next?
The Indonesian government has granted six species of threatened “walking sharks” the highest level of protection — a move experts hope will lead to the conservation of other sharks, whose numbers have plummeted due largely to the shark fin trade.
April 19, 2023
In Amazon, small towns are a force of nature
Years ahead of schedule, Bolivia has met an ambitious goal to protect 30 percent of its land — and that's thanks in large part to Amazonian towns and villages that are accelerating the pace and scale of conservation in the country.
April 12, 2023
Gordon Moore, digital pioneer and philanthropist, dies at 94
Digital pioneer, business leader and philanthropist Gordon Moore died at his home in Hawaiʻi on March 24. While Moore was best known as a titan of the tech world, his contributions to the natural world were equally pathbreaking.
March 25, 2023
Study: Patterns of wildlife ‘range loss’ could offer clues for conservation
More than one million species are at risk of extinction largely because they are being pushed out of places where they have long lived — known as “ranges.” But not all range loss looks the same.
March 14, 2023
News spotlight: How does your diet affect the environment?
In case you missed it: Every bite of food we eat comes with an environmental cost. But not every diet is created equal. A new tool illustrates the toll our food system takes on nature — comparing dietary staples like meat, fish, dairy, eggs and grains.
February 6, 2023
The year ahead: Funding critical commitments to nature
The recent United Nations biodiversity and climate summits ended with major commitments for stemming climate change and stopping the loss of biodiversity. As nations now turn to implementing these ambitious goals, there’s one persistent sticking point: funding.
January 26, 2023
In race to reach net zero, businesses look to carbon credits, survey finds
Business leaders recognize the urgency of the climate crisis — and are taking action, according to a new report.
January 12, 2023
A Peruvian forest was vanishing. Coffee and community trust saved it
In the Alto Mayo Protected Forest in Peru, local farmers have partnered with Conservation International to produce sustainable coffee and halt deforestation. Since 2011, this partnership has helped deforestation decline by 59 percent.
January 10, 2023
COP15 reaches ambitious plan for nature, now countries must accelerate action
In a powerful commitment to nature, nearly 200 countries have signed a sweeping agreement to protect a third of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.
December 20, 2022
New science: Protecting even a small area can reap big benefits for people
Protecting nature starts with science. Here’s a roundup of recent scientific research published by Conservation International experts.
December 15, 2022
What is the biodiversity COP and why does it matter?
In a once-in-a-decade opportunity, policymakers from 196 countries are gathering in Montreal to tackle Earth’s “silent crisis” — the massive collapse of biodiversity.
December 7, 2022
News spotlight: Can consumer choices protect a critically endangered whale?
In case you missed it: North Atlantic right whales are fast approaching extinction. Each year, this rare species migrates along the eastern coast of the United States. The path leads right whales into a gauntlet of treacherous fishing grounds around New England.
December 5, 2022
News spotlight: Mangrove deforestation drops, but new protections still needed
Worldwide, mangroves — once destroyed for agriculture and development — have seen a sharp decline in deforestation. A new report from the Global Mangrove Alliance offers a plan to end mangrove loss entirely.
November 23, 2022
News spotlight: In the Philippines, a sea turtle sanctuary is threatened by climate change
On a tiny island in the Philippines, fishermen and green sea turtles live side by side in hard-earned harmony. That wasn’t always the case. Slowly and steadily, they have returned, a story of against-the-odds compromise.
November 15, 2022
News spotlight: What happened to Alaska’s snow crabs? Scientists have a few leads.
Deep in the frigid east Bering Sea, snow crabs have historically flourished — supporting Alaska’s $160 million annual crabbing industry. Yet state officials recently sent shockwaves across the industry when they announced there would be no snow crab season this year for the first time.
October 25, 2022
Meet a scientist: Using tech to advance wildlife conservation
Senior Wildlife Conservation Scientist Jorge Ahumada uses technology to track wildlife species around the world and ensure the data is available to craft smart policies for their protection. Conservation News spoke to him about his passion for mining big data to uncover hidden trends in nature.
October 21, 2022
News spotlight: Australia aims to end extinctions — critics see a plan that picks ‘winners’
Australia has lost more mammals to extinction than any other continent. A new plan commits to protecting its iconic wildlife, but some say it doesn’t go far enough.
October 10, 2022
News spotlight: Sea creatures could harbor the next generation of medications, but are they at risk?
In case you missed it: Scientists are sourcing new, lifesaving medications from the sea. But deep-sea mining explorations could risk critical marine ecosystems before their potential is understood.
September 12, 2022
News spotlight: Researchers want to resurrect the Tasmanian tiger. Should they?
In case you missed it: Emerging genetic technologies could someday bring back Tasmania’s apex predator. But critics say concerns abound — including siphoning resources from conservation.
September 2, 2022
News spotlight: Warming waters spawn salmon famine
In case you missed it: Millions of salmon commute up Alaska’s Yukon River every fall in search of safe places to spawn. But as waters begin to warm, their populations have slumped to all-time lows.
August 22, 2022
News spotlight: Earth’s most unique birds are also most likely to go extinct
In case you missed it: A new study found that birds with distinctive shapes and sizes are the most likely to be lost.
August 15, 2022
News spotlight: To boost biodiversity and climate resilience, bring back the mammals
In case you missed it: Large mammals are critical to keeping ecosystems in balance.
August 10, 2022
News spotlight: Desert bacteria could unlock more powerful antibiotics
In case you missed it: Species living in extreme conditions could advance antibiotic production.
July 26, 2022
News spotlight: New hope for Mekong ‘megafish’
In case you missed it: A giant stingray hooked (and released) by a fisherman in Cambodia’s Mekong River earlier this month has taken the title of world’s largest freshwater fish.
June 27, 2022
New app aims to take a bite out of illegal shark fin trade
New technology will help inspectors tackle the illegal wildlife trade using a tool most already have in their pockets: their cell phones.
June 8, 2022
In warming world, viral spillovers are expected to increase: 3 stories you may have missed
In case you missed it: Climate breakdown may increase viral spillovers between animals, two baby mountain gorillas were born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a new species of frog was discovered in Australia.
May 9, 2022
Study: More than a fifth of reptile species face extinction
A new study, published today in Nature, assesses more than 10,000 reptiles around the world — from turtles, snakes and lizards to crocodiles — and warns that we must conserve them to prevent dramatic changes to Earth’s critical ecosystems.
April 27, 2022
A ‘manta ray ruler’ could help protect these gentle giants
A new technique for measuring manta rays could offer critical insights into their health, reproductive status, lifespans and whether a population is growing or shrinking.
March 4, 2022
Thomas Lovejoy, ‘godfather of biodiversity,’ dies at 80
The conservation movement has lost one of its giants. Renowned ecologist Thomas Lovejoy died Dec. 25 at the age of 80, National Geographic reported.
December 26, 2021
Climate, biodiversity fight gets $5B shot in the arm
In an announcement today at New York Climate Week, nine philanthropic organizations pledged US$ 5 billion over the next decade to support the creation and expansion of protected areas, sustainable management of the world’s oceans and Indigenous-led conservation.
September 22, 2021
In the high seas, scientists uncover a ‘vortex of life’
On the surface, the international waters off the coasts of Peru and Chile are a seemingly barren expanse. But beneath the waves, two underwater mountain chains — known as the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges — are bursting with life, according to a new study.
June 30, 2021
New science: a path for protecting chimps and more
Protecting nature starts with science. Here’s a roundup of recent scientific research published by Conservation International experts.
June 3, 2021
New tool could help bring threatened species back from the brink
A new tool provides a clear picture of where species are at the greatest risk of extinction — and helps guide conservation actions to protect them.
May 13, 2021
As pandemic pounded Peru, one region thrived on coffee, carbon
Across Peru, the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions without jobs. But in the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, where the Amazon meets the Andes, coffee farmers were spared much of the economic devastation that gripped Peru’s cities and towns.
April 9, 2021
Trove of new species discovered in hidden Bolivian valley
On an expedition to Bolivia's Zongo Valley, a team of researchers recently discovered 20 species completely new to science, and rediscovered several species that had not been seen for decades.
December 14, 2020
Kenya’s wildlife tourism, a casualty of COVID, gets a lifeline
The loss of tourism revenue in the Maasai Mara could spell trouble for the very species that tourists come to see. Now, wildlife conservancies are getting a lifeline.
November 19, 2020
In Galápagos, novel conservation approach finds ‘sweet spot’ between production, protection
A Conservation International expert explains how an integrated approach to protection and production could help humanity transform how we manage the lands and seas we depend on.
September 2, 2020
Notes from the field: Protection protocol and revitalizing grasslands
Here are two recent conservation success stories you should know about.
August 5, 2020
Poaching, deforestation reportedly on the rise since COVID-19 lockdowns
Poaching and deforestation in the tropics have increased since COVID-19 restrictions went into effect around the world, according to recent reports from Conservation International field offices.
April 30, 2020
Expert: To prevent pandemics like COVID-19, ‘take care of nature’
Conservation News spoke to renowned ecologist and Conservation International scientist Lee Hannah about how giving nature space could help curb future disease outbreaks.
March 27, 2020
Meet a scientist: a species-discovering savant
Conservation News spoke with Conservation International's Mark Erdmann about his job as a marine biologist, where he spends almost as much time underwater discovering new species as he does helping communities above ground conserve them.
March 25, 2020
If coronavirus halts climate convenings, ‘we must find other avenues for progress’
As the deadly coronavirus spreads, climate experts fear that it could derail many of the major global climate negotiations — but there is a silver lining.
March 11, 2020
5 ways you can help save species from extinction
Conservation News tapped five Conservation International experts for their best tips to help wildlife, whether you're relaxing on vacation or going out to dinner.
March 3, 2020
Study: Protecting tropics could save half of species on brink
Conservation News spoke to the lead author of a groundbreaking new study that offers a solution to save more than half of the world's species that are at risk of extinction, while slowing climate change.
February 26, 2020
Sustainability expert to top execs: ‘We’ve got to figure out new ways of doing things’
At a recent conference, Conservation International's corporate sustainability expert advised executives on why protecting nature is good for business.
February 11, 2020
In photos: Documenting Suriname’s unexplored wilderness
Photographer Randy Olson joins a species discovery expedition in one of the world’s most remote forests.
March 23, 2016
On the trail of ‘Sharky McSharkface’
The latest news on the travels of Indonesia’s tagged whale sharks.
August 30, 2016
Mud, parrots and parasites: Filming the rainforest in virtual reality
One crew member counts down his most memorable moments from CI’s VR film shoot in Amazonia.
February 13, 2017
Discovery afoot: New study cracks mystery of how ‘walking’ sharks split
Conservation News spoke with one of the authors of a new study on walking sharks to find out how he and his team uncovered the evolutionary origin of these peculiar creatures — and how this information could help us adapt to climate change.
January 22, 2020
Stopping overfishing? There’s an app for that
Overfishing continues to push global fish populations to the brink of collapse. Smartphone apps can help change that.
May 5, 2016
New marine sanctuary in Galápagos Islands a ‘game-changer’ for wildlife
The sanctuary will protect an area crucial for biodiversity — and Ecuador’s economy.
March 24, 2016
Satellite tags shed light on sea turtle treks
Knowing where the turtles go is the first step to protecting them.
May 22, 2018
In remote Pacific, popular fishing method spells trouble for tuna
Fish aggregating devices are helping industrial fishers take an unexpected toll on bigeye tuna populations.
October 12, 2016
In a career full of fish discoveries, these 5 species stand out
Dr. Mark Erdmann has described 100 fish species that are new to science. Here are his favorites.
February 24, 2017
New to science: Species discovery in the waters of Fiji
Mark Erdmann and Gerry Allen were part of a team that completed a rapid survey of Fiji’s Lau Seascape. They discovered nine species that might be new to science.
June 26, 2017
Photo essay: In South Africa, a woman’s struggle to sustain the land that sustains her
At an age when many people are slowing down, Gertruida Cloete continues to face daily hardships while protecting her fragile, wild home.
March 6, 2016
What makes a good nature photo? An expert explains
Human Nature sat down with Conservation International’s photography manager to talk about three of her favorite photos.
June 14, 2018
Off Hawai‘i’s coast, an unexplored undersea mountain reveals its secrets
A thousand meters beneath the ocean’s surface, Conservation International scientists encounter rare marine species.
September 16, 2016
On World Storytelling Day, a veteran filmmaker shares his secrets
New technology and new techniques have revolutionized how we tell nature’s stories.
March 20, 2018
A tug of war in the night
From a poacher of bush meat to a small-business owner, Magic Mabunda illustrates the transformation underway in the communities outside Kruger National Park.
August 4, 2017
In the news: Escaped lions highlight plight of park neighbors
A recent case of escaped lions in South Africa’s Kruger National Park is a tragic example of the tension that can exist between people and wildlife around protected areas.
July 14, 2017
Why aren’t we doing more to protect wildlife rangers?
Keith Roberts is running an ultra-marathon through the Amazon to raise awareness about rangers’ crucial role fighting wildlife trafficking.
June 3, 2016
In Indonesia marine park, survey finds troubled waters
The first in-depth marine assessment of the Natuna Islands revealed the precarious state of the environment in this isolated region.
January 28, 2016
Amid lifelong search for lions, 20 cherished minutes
After years of visiting some of nature’s most stunning places, a filmmaker finally comes face to face with his favorite animal.
May 20, 2016
The trees that could make or break Mexico City’s future
CI’s Jürgen Hoth talks air pollution, the illegal drug trade and why planting trees isn’t always the answer.
December 15, 2016
Two ears, one mouth
In South Africa’s Eastern Cape conservationists are connecting with local communities through culture, science and shared values.
August 9, 2017
Why are freshwater species in trouble? Bad p.r., for one
New research aims to show people how we can protect important freshwater ecosystems by shining the spotlight on large, charismatic freshwater species that people largely ignore.
October 11, 2017
Turning the tide on manta slaughter: A story in pictures
Photojournalist Shawn Heinrichs takes us inside a grisly manta hunt in eastern Indonesia.
December 1, 2015
In wind-swept Andes, (sustainable) vicuña wool is good as gold
Find out how one woolly species is supporting conservation work and livelihoods for communities in Bolivia.
November 7, 2019
Wildlife loss in tropical forests is bad news — and not just for animals
New research sheds light on the link between species loss and forests’ ability to fight climate change.
April 27, 2016
To save marine habitats, conservationists find natural ally: surfers
Hundreds of areas with world-class waves also contain a variety of diverse marine species.
April 12, 2018
Verdicts in turtle conservationist’s murder a rare rebuke of crimes against environmentalists
Jairo Mora Sandoval was a victim of a war between poachers and environmentalists on a Costa Rican beach.
April 11, 2016
Off Panama’s coast, divers resurrect a ‘ghost’ of the deep
A routine search for spots to train scuba divers led to a disturbing discovery: huge, abandoned fishing nets in the middle of the ocean.
May 3, 2017
To a country on the edge of development, what is nature worth?
Conflict, poverty and disease prevented the collection of data on the state of Liberia’s ecosystems for decades — until now.
March 21, 2017
New study paints grim picture for Africa’s forest elephants
Poaching has killed off 60 percent of Africa’s forest-dwelling elephants since 2002 alone.
August 31, 2016
‘My Africa’ field notes: Good fences can make uneasy neighbors
Conservation International works to conserve wildlife while delivering justice to communities in South Africa.
March 23, 2018